Describe the problem you would like to solve
Editors and journal managers currently have no way to attach quick, visible notes to submissions that are viewable on the main Submission Dashboard.
Information – such as status nuances, special handling instructions, internal reminders, etc– ends up being tracked outside OJS via an ad-hoc solution (e.g., spreadsheets, email threads, or personal notes). This creates fragmentation, increases the risk of missed details, and slows down editorial coordination.
Granted, there is a way to log notes within each submission, but these are only viewable after you have clicked inside the Activity Log and then clicked “Notes”. They are not viewable on the dashboard and they are not viewable when the submission is open.
Describe the solution you’d like
I would like OJS to include a lightweight “Submission Notes” feature integrated directly into the Submission Dashboard.
Two components:
-
Dashboard Note (read‑only, 1 line):
A single‑line, non‑editable preview displayed directly under each submission title (perhaps in a brown, italic font for differentiation) on the main dashboard. This would allow editors to see key context at a glance without opening the submission. -
Full Note (editable within submission):
When a user clicks into a submission, a notes panel spanning the page width, becomes available above the Submission/Review/Copyedit/Production tabs. This panel can be toggled into edit mode and allows 3–5 lines of text. Editors can update the note as needed.
This feature would provide a simple, centralized way to track internal editorial context without leaving OJS.
Who is asking for this feature?
Managing Editors, Journal Editors, Journal Administrators, Production Staff. Anyone involved in day‑to‑day submission handling would benefit from having quick, visible, internal notes tied directly to each submission.
Additional information
- The note should be internal‑facing only (not visible to authors or reviewers).
- The dashboard preview should display only the first line of the note to maintain a clean interface.
- The full note area should support brief text only (3–5 lines) to keep the feature lightweight and avoid replacing full editorial discussions.
This would significantly reduce reliance on external tracking tools and improve editorial workflow clarity.
