Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Editing Comments and Notes.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 15, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Once a comment has been added to a cell in a worksheet, it is easy to edit the comment. All you need to do is right-click on a cell to which a comment is attached, then you can choose Edit Comment from the resulting Context menu. If you prefer, you can simply select the cell that has a comment attached and choose Edit Comment from the Insert menu. Either method results in the insertion point appearing inside of the comment text box. You can then add more text or delete text, as desired.
Another way to edit comments is available if you have all the comments displayed on-screen, instead of just comment indicators. In this instance, you can edit a comment simply by positioning the insertion point within the text box and clicking on the mouse button. The comment's text box becomes active and you can edit to your heart's content.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2241) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Editing Comments and Notes.
Program Successfully in Excel! This guide will provide you with all the information you need to automate any task in Excel and save time and effort. Learn how to extend Excel's functionality with VBA to create solutions not possible with the standard features. Includes latest information for Excel 2024 and Microsoft 365. Check out Mastering Excel VBA Programming today!
When formatting comments, you can use a graphic as a background for the comment box. If you later want to move this ...
Discover MoreWant to make your worksheet comments appear a certain way? It's easy to do using techniques you already are familiar with.
Discover MoreOne of the pieces of information that Excel can maintain relative to a workbook is a set of comments of your choice. ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here:
Comments