# Using The Notes Field

Shift4 has a `notes` field that’s displayed within an individual transaction record in Shift4's Gateway. This is a free-form field that supports the use of HTML tags. The `notes` field is primarily used for the merchant’s reference and is not passed on to the processor. Escaped quotation marks should not be used in the `notes` field.

The merchant’s auditor can use the `notes` field to review data about a transaction, such as to determine the cause of a problem transaction or for chargeback defense. Depending on your interface design and/or the merchant’s desired use of the `notes` field, it can contain data such as the workstation used, items purchased, clerk notes, order number, or receipt details.

In a payment flow where multiple requests are sent, the `notes` field will be overwritten with the value sent in the last request.