Fix Excel 2016 Comments Not Appearing When Hovering Over Cells
Question details
Users report that classic cell comments in Excel 2016 fail to display when hovering over cells, even when the correct display options are enabled in the settings.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel 2016
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing cell notes and comments in an active spreadsheet.
- Observed behavior
- Cell comments stop showing up on hover. This glitch is frequently triggered when another open workbook contains hyperlinks to account login pages.
Ensure your Excel settings are correctly configured to show comment indicators by navigating to File > Options > Advanced > Display, and verifying that 'Indicators only, and comments on hover' is selected.
Close Workbooks with Login Hyperlinks
Closing other active workbooks that contain web-based hyperlinks can instantly resolve the comment display glitch in your current file.
Excel 2016 occasionally experiences an interface bug where a workbook containing hyperlinks (specifically those pointing to web login pages) interferes with the hover functionality of comments across all open files. Removing the conflicting file from the session restores normal behavior.
Look at your taskbar or the View > Switch Windows menu to see all currently open Excel workbooks.
Locate any workbook that contains hyperlinks to external web platforms or account login pages.
Save your progress in that specific workbook and close it entirely.
Return to your primary spreadsheet and hover your cursor over a cell with a red comment indicator to verify that the comment box reappears.
Run Excel in Safe Mode
Starting Excel in Safe Mode bypasses active add-ins to help identify if third-party software is interfering with your display.
Install Office Updates
Updating Excel ensures you have the latest software patches from Microsoft, which may contain a permanent fix for this display bug.
Seamlessly View and Manage Spreadsheets with WPS Office
If Excel's interface glitches persist and comments still fail to appear on hover, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free alternative that ensures your data, notes, and classic comments display flawlessly without unexpected interface conflicts.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite for your operating system.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx or .xls file.
- 3. View Comments Easily: Hover over any cell featuring a red triangle indicator to instantly view your classic comments and notes without glitching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Excel comments suddenly stop showing on hover?
This usually occurs due to minor software bugs, conflicts triggered by concurrently open workbooks (especially those containing web login hyperlinks), or corrupted third-party add-ins interfering with Excel's display interface.
How do I permanently keep a comment visible in Excel?
Right-click the cell containing the comment and select 'Show/Hide Comment' from the context menu. This will pin the comment box to your screen, keeping it visible even when you move your mouse cursor away.
Are 'Notes' and 'Comments' the same in modern versions of Excel?
No. In recent updates to Excel, 'Notes' function like the classic yellow hover comments described here, while 'Comments' are now used for threaded conversations and real-time collaboration among multiple users.
