Inserting a Voice Annotation in Your Worksheet

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 21, 2023)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003

Rather than adding notes to the cells in your worksheets, you can imbed audio files that serve as audible annotations. In order to do this, your computer must have sound capabilities (either built-in or through an added sound board) which are supported by Windows, along with a microphone. Then you can follow these steps:

  1. Position the insertion point where you want the message inserted.
  2. Choose Object from the Insert menu. You will see the Object dialog box.
  3. Make sure the Create New tab is selected. (See Figure 1.)

    4. Figure 1. The Create New tab of the Object dialog box.

  4. In the list of object types, look for a type of sound object. It may have a name such as Sound or Wave Sound. Select this option.
  5. Click on OK. The Sound Recorder (a Windows accessory) is displayed.
  6. Use the Sound Recorder to record your message.
  7. Close the Sound Recorder window.
  8. You may be asked if you want to update your workbook. If so, then click on Yes.
  9. An icon of a speaker appears in your workbook where the sound is inserted.

You can later listen to your message by simply double-clicking on the speaker icon.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2870) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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