How to Insert the Excel Tooltip on Hover – 3 Examples

The image below showcases the Excel tooltip on hover.

Using the Excel Tooltip

You can use the tooltip to:

• Input Data
• Explain Data
• Display a Formula
• Validate Data

Example 1 – Using Notes from the Review Tab

• Select the cell in which you want to add the tooltip.
• Go to Review tab > from Notes > select New Note.

• Enter your note and press Ctrl + Enter.

Moving the mouse cursor over the cell will display the tooltip.

Example 2 – Adding the Tooltip from Data Validation

• Select the cell in which you want to add the tooltip and go to the Data tab > Data Tools > Data Validation.

• In Data Validation, go to Input Message.
• Check Show input message when cell is selected.
• You can add a title.
• Enter the text and click OK. The tooltip is added.

• Click the cell to see the tooltip.

Method 3 – Using Excel VBA to Add the Tooltip

• Go to the Developer tab > Visual Basic.

• Insert a new module by choosing  Insert > Module.

• Enter the following code in the module.

Sub Text()
Dim x As Range
 For Each x In Range("B5:B9")
    With x.Validation
        .Delete
        .Add Type:=xlValidateInputOnly, AlertStyle:=xlValidAlertStop, _
            Operator:=xlBetween
        .IgnoreBlank = True
        .InCellDropdown = True
        .InputMessage = "Check Name Properly"
        .ShowError = True
    End With
Next x
End Sub

• Run the code to add the tooltip to the selected cell.

Things to Remember

• Try to keep the tooltip text brief and clear.
• Check whether the tooltips are working properly.
• Tooltips can contain up to 255 characters.
• Tooltips are hidden by default in Excel. You can display them by enabling the Show ToolTips option in  Excel Options dialog box.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I add an Excel tooltip on hover automatically?

A: No. However, you can still add it using other features.

2. What type of data can I display in tooltips?

A: You can display different types of data, including texts, hyperlinks, formulas, values, dates, etc.

3. Do tooltips work with merged cells?

A: Yes, the tooltip will be displayed when hovering over any part of the merged cell range.

Download Practice Workbook

Download this practice workbook.

Related Articles

• How to Show Full Cell Contents on Hover in Excel
• How to Edit Tooltip in Excel
• How to Create Dynamic Tooltip in Excel
• How to Create Tooltip in Excel Chart
• Excel Button Tooltip
• How to Remove Tooltip in Excel
• How to Display Tooltip on Mouseover Using VBA in Excel

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