'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Fix Excel Notes Not Appearing When Hovering Over Cells
Question details
User is unable to see cell notes when hovering over them with the mouse cursor in Microsoft Excel.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is trying to view supplementary annotations and notes attached to specific cells by moving their cursor over the cell indicator.
- Observed behavior
- The cell notes fail to pop up or display on hover, which may be caused by an incorrect display setting, a corrupted Office update, or a known application bug in recent Microsoft 365 builds.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection before attempting to download Office updates. It is also recommended to save your current workbook to prevent data loss while adjusting application settings or restarting Excel.
Adjust Excel Display Settings for Notes and Comments
Verify that Microsoft Excel is explicitly configured to show both indicators and notes upon hovering over cells in the Advanced settings menu.
Sometimes Excel's default behavior changes after an update, causing notes to hide automatically. Re-enabling the hover configuration forces the application to display them properly.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of Microsoft Excel, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the left-hand menu to open the Excel Options dialog box.
Click on the 'Advanced' tab in the left pane of the dialog box and scroll down until you find the 'Display' section.
Under the 'For cells with comments, show:' heading, select the radio button for 'Indicators and notes on hover'. Click 'OK' to save your changes and test by hovering over a cell with a note.
Update Microsoft Office to the Latest Build
Install the newest version of Microsoft 365, as the missing notes issue is a documented bug in specific builds (like version 2308).
Report the Bug and Submit a Test Workbook
If adjusting settings and updating Office does not fix the issue, submit feedback directly to Microsoft developers with a reproducible file.
Use WPS Office to Seamlessly View and Edit Cell Notes
If Microsoft Excel continues to experience display bugs that disrupt your workflow, WPS Office provides a highly reliable, free, and lightweight alternative. With its stable rendering engine, you can view, add, and manage cell notes instantly on hover without encountering the glitches found in certain Microsoft 365 builds.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and run the quick installer.
- 2. Open Your Workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx file containing the cell notes.
- 3. View Notes Without Glitches: Hover your mouse over the cell indicators to smoothly read and edit your notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between notes and comments in Excel?
In modern versions of Microsoft 365, 'Comments' are used for threaded conversations that allow multiple users to reply to one another. 'Notes' are the traditional sticky notes used to leave a static, unthreaded annotation on a single cell.
Why did my Excel cell notes suddenly become invisible?
This commonly happens if a recent Office update introduced a UI bug. Alternatively, your default display configuration may have been accidentally switched from 'Indicators and notes on hover' to 'No comments or indicators' within the Advanced Excel Options menu.
Will repairing Microsoft Office fix the hover issue?
If the issue is caused by corrupted application files rather than an unpatched bug, an Online Repair might help. You can trigger this by going to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, locating Microsoft Office, clicking Modify, and selecting Online Repair.
Is the note hover bug fixed in Excel version 2308?
According to Microsoft user community reports, the September 2023 update (version 2308) did not completely resolve the hover display bug for all users. It is highly recommended to continue checking for the newest available release or switch to a stable alternative like WPS Office.
