Excel Hover Over Cell Show Text: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever wanted to hover over a cell in Excel and see a little text box pop up with extra information? It’s a handy trick that can make your spreadsheets more interactive and informative. Essentially, what we’re talking about is adding a comment or note to a cell that appears when you hover your mouse over it. And guess what? It’s super simple to do.

Step by Step Tutorial: Excel Hover Over Cell Show Text

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let me give you a heads up on what we’re about to cover. We’ll be going through the steps to add a text box that appears when you hover over a cell in Excel. This can be useful for adding notes, explanations, or any additional context that might help the person viewing the spreadsheet.

Step 1: Select the Cell

Click on the cell you want to add the hover text to.

When you select the cell, make sure it’s the correct one where you want the text to appear. You can add hover text to multiple cells if needed, just repeat the steps for each one.

Step 2: Right Click and Select ‘Insert Comment’ or ‘New Note’

Right-click on the selected cell and choose ‘Insert Comment’ or ‘New Note’ from the menu that appears.

Depending on your version of Excel, you might see either ‘Insert Comment’ or ‘New Note’. Comments are the newer version introduced in Excel 365 and Excel 2019. Notes are the older version that you’ll find in Excel 2016 and earlier.

Step 3: Type Your Text

Once you’ve clicked ‘Insert Comment’ or ‘New Note’, a text box will appear where you can type in the information you want to display.

Keep your text concise and to the point. Remember, this text is meant to be a quick reference when someone hovers over the cell, not a full paragraph.

Step 4: Click Outside the Text Box

After typing your text, click anywhere outside the text box to save the comment or note.

Your text is now saved, and you can move onto the next cell or finish up. If you need to edit the text later, simply right-click the cell again and select ‘Edit Comment’ or ‘Edit Note’.

Once you’ve completed these steps, when you hover your mouse over the cell, a small text box will pop up showing the text you entered. This can be a great way to add context or instructions without cluttering up your spreadsheet with too much information.

Tips: Excel Hover Over Cell Show Text

• Keep your hover text short and sweet – it’s meant for quick reference.
• You can format the text in the comment or note just like any other text in Excel – bold, italics, underline, and even different colors.
• If you’re using comments and want them to always be visible, you can click ‘Show All Comments’ in the Review tab.
• You can also add a comment or note by using the shortcut Alt + R C (for comments) or Shift + F2 (for notes).
• If you want to delete a comment or note, simply right-click the cell and choose ‘Delete Comment’ or ‘Delete Note’.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a comment and a note in Excel?

A comment is a newer feature that allows for threaded discussions and is available in Excel 365 and Excel 2019. A note is the older version, available in Excel 2016 and earlier, and is used for simple text notes.

Can I add images or links in the hover text?

Yes, in comments, you can add images and create hyperlinks. In notes, you’re limited to just text.

How do I make the hover text always visible?

In the Review tab, click ‘Show All Comments’. This will make all the comments in the spreadsheet visible until you click ‘Hide All Comments’.

Can I change the size of the text box?

Yes, you can click and drag the edges of the text box to resize it.

What if I want to remove the hover text?

Simply right-click on the cell, and select ‘Delete Comment’ or ‘Delete Note’.

Summary

1. Select the cell.
2. Right-click and choose ‘Insert Comment’ or ‘New Note’.
3. Type your text.
4. Click outside the text box to save.

Conclusion

Adding hover text in Excel is a piece of cake, right? With just a few clicks, you can make your spreadsheets more interactive and informative. Whether you’re adding reminders for yourself or explanations for others, this feature can greatly enhance how you present data. Remember, keeping the text short and sweet is key, as the purpose of this feature is to provide quick insights without overwhelming the viewer. So, go ahead, give it a try and watch your cells come alive with helpful information. If you’re looking to master even more Excel tricks, keep exploring and experimenting. Excel is a powerful tool, and features like hover over cell show text are just the beginning of what you can do to make your data work for you.