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Fix Excel Comments Disappeared and Threaded Comments Cannot Be Edited on Mac
Question details
The user is unable to view or modify comments in an Excel workbook on a Mac, receiving a warning that the current version can read threaded comments but edits will be removed.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to edit an XLSX workbook containing comments that is stored in iCloud Drive.
- Observed behavior
- Cell comments no longer appear as editable, and Excel displays a version compatibility warning regarding threaded comments.
Verify your exact Excel version by navigating to Excel > About Microsoft Excel on your Mac menu bar, as older versions (like 16.8) lack full support for modern threaded comments.
Update Excel to Support Threaded Comments
Updating to a newer version of Excel for Mac ensures full compatibility with the modern threaded comments feature, preventing them from being locked as read-only.
Older Excel versions (such as version 16.8) cannot fully process threaded comments introduced in newer Microsoft 365 updates. They can only read them or display older-style notes. Updating the software resolves this conflict.
Open Excel, go to the top menu bar, and select Help > Check for Updates.
In the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool, click the 'Check for Updates' button to see if a newer version is available.
Click 'Update' to install the latest version of Excel for Mac, then restart the application and open your file again.
Move File Storage from iCloud to Local Disk or OneDrive
Transferring the workbook out of iCloud can resolve syncing conflicts that trigger compatibility mode for advanced features like threaded comments.
Easily Edit XLSX Comments with WPS Office
Bypass version compatibility warnings and missing comments. WPS Office provides native, lightweight support for reading, adding, and modifying comments in XLSX files on your Mac, ensuring your workflow remains uninterrupted.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for Mac from the official website.
- 2. Open your workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open the problematic XLSX file directly from your iCloud or local storage.
- 3. Navigate to the Review tab: Click on the 'Review' tab located in the top ribbon menu to access the comment management tools.
- 4. Edit comments seamlessly: Click 'Edit Comment' or 'Reply' on any cell to seamlessly manage your annotations without triggering version compatibility errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between threaded comments and traditional notes in Excel?
Threaded comments are a modern feature allowing users to have ongoing discussions with replies and mentions. Traditional notes (formerly known as classic comments) are simple, static yellow sticky boxes used for basic annotations. Mixing Excel versions can cause edit restrictions on the newer threaded comments.
Why does storing my Excel file in iCloud affect comments?
Storing files on iCloud instead of native Microsoft services like OneDrive can sometimes cause synchronization issues with Microsoft's collaborative features, prompting compatibility warnings or forcing the document into a restricted read-only mode for threaded comments.
Can I convert threaded comments back to standard notes?
Yes, in supported versions of Excel, you can right-click a cell containing a threaded comment and select 'Convert to Note' if you need backward compatibility to edit the text in older Excel versions.
