How to Edit an Excel Input Message That Looks Like a Comment in WPS Office
Question details
The user needs to edit or remove a pop-up message that appears when a cell is selected, which is a Data Validation input message rather than a regular comment or note.
- Product
- WPS Office Spreadsheets
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user selects a cell and sees a message, but there is no red comment indicator and right-click comment editing options do not apply.
- Observed behavior
- The message cannot be edited as a normal note or comment; it is controlled by the Data Validation Input Message settings for the selected cell.
Open the workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheets and select the worksheet that contains the cell. Make sure the Data tab is available so you can open the Data Validation dialog.
Edit or Clear the Data Validation Input Message in WPS Spreadsheets
Use this when a cell shows a message on selection but it is not a comment, and you need to change the text, hide the message, or remove it completely.
The message is part of Excel Data Validation. It is stored in the cell's validation settings, not in the comments/notes layer, so it must be edited from the Data Validation dialog.
Click the cell that displays the input message when selected. If the message appears for multiple cells, select the entire range or one cell at a time.
Go to the Data tab on the ribbon, and click Data Validation or Validation to open the Data Validation dialog.
Click the Input Message tab. Edit the Title and Input message boxes, or uncheck Show input message when cell is selected to hide it without deleting the validation.
Click OK to save changes. To remove the validation message and rule completely, click Clear All and then click OK.
Edit Data Validation Input Messages in WPS Spreadsheets
Use WPS Office Spreadsheets to open, edit, and clear Excel Data Validation input messages directly from the Data tab without changing comments or notes.
- 1. Open the workbook in WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office and open the Excel workbook that contains the data validation input message.
- 2. Select the cell or range: Click the cell or select the range where the message appears when selected.
- 3. Go to Data > Data Validation: On the Data tab, click Data Validation to open the settings dialog.
- 4. Edit the Input Message tab: Click the Input Message tab to edit the title and text, hide the prompt, or click Clear All to remove the validation.
- 5. Save the workbook: Click OK and then save the file to keep the changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a message appear when I click a cell but there is no comment indicator?
This is a Data Validation input message. Select the cell, go to Data > Data Validation > Input Message to view, edit, or hide it.
How do I completely remove the message instead of just hiding it?
Open the Data Validation dialog, click Clear All, and then click OK. This removes the validation rule and its input message from the selected cell or range.
Can I edit this message the same way as a note or comment?
No. Comments or notes are edited from the Review tab or right-click menu. Input messages are edited in the Data Validation dialog under the Data tab.
Does WPS Office support Excel Data Validation input messages?
Yes. WPS Office Spreadsheets supports creating, editing, and clearing Data Validation input messages and works with Excel workbooks.
How do I stop the input message from appearing but keep the validation rule?
In the Data Validation dialog, click the Input Message tab, uncheck Show input message when cell is selected, and then click OK.
