Document Editing Problems

How to Fix Excel Comments Appearing Under the Wrong Account Manager

Rana Garcia Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are experiencing an issue where comments in an Excel workbook are incorrectly attributed to the wrong account manager, particularly when utilizing comment filters.

How to Fix Excel Comments Appearing Under the Wrong Account Manager

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Filtering and viewing user comments in a shared Excel workbook.
Observed behavior: Comments display under the incorrect user account when using filters like 'See Just Mine', hindering the ability to track feedback accurately.

Before you start

Ensure that all collaborators have a stable internet connection so the shared workbook can synchronize completely, and verify that no multiple conflicting Microsoft accounts are logged into the Office suite simultaneously.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Account Credentials and Force Synchronization

Ensure that every collaborator is logged into the correct Microsoft 365 account and force the workbook to sync completely.

In shared workbooks, cached credentials or synchronization delays can cause Excel to misattribute comment ownership. Verifying the active account and manually pushing a sync often resolves the problem.

Check active account

Open Excel, navigate to File > Account, and verify that the logged-in user information matches the expected account manager.

Test without filters

In the Review tab, clear the 'See Just Mine' filter to check if the comments display the correct ownership when all comments are visible.

Force workbook sync

Click the Save button or use the refresh data option to ensure all background synchronization processes with Microsoft 365 servers are complete.

Verify Account Credentials and Force Synchronization

Syncing Delays: It may take a few moments for comment attribution to update correctly after forcing a synchronization, especially in large shared files.

Solution 2

Duplicate the File to Reset Comment Ownership

Creating a new copy of the workbook can resolve underlying metadata or caching issues that cause the wrong ownership display.

Solution 3

Open a Microsoft 365 Support Request

If the issue persists across all files, the problem might be a tenant-level synchronization glitch requiring Microsoft Support intervention.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless and Accurate Document Collaboration

If you frequently encounter account syncing or comment attribution issues in Microsoft Excel, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative with robust collaboration tools that correctly track user comments.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite to your device.
2. Open your spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx file without worrying about format loss.
3. Manage comments accurately: Go to the Review tab to add, view, and reply to comments. WPS ensures clear and accurate author attribution for all collaborators.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formatsAccurate tracking of comments and revisions across different usersLightweight application that runs smoothly on older and newer devicesFree to use with a familiar, user-friendly interface

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Excel comments show up under someone else's name?

This typically happens in shared workbooks due to synchronization delays, cached account credentials, or having multiple Microsoft accounts logged into the Office suite simultaneously.

How does the 'See Just Mine' filter affect Excel comments?

The 'See Just Mine' filter isolates comments made by the currently logged-in user. If your account is misconfigured or syncing incorrectly, the filter may hide your comments or incorrectly show comments from a different user.

Can I change the author name on an existing Excel comment?

In Excel, you cannot directly edit the author name of an existing comment. You must either resolve the account login issue and recreate the comment, or use the 'Options' menu to change the default username for future comments.

Document & File Issues