Office Settings & Configuration

How to Remove a Repeating Notification or Template Message in Excel

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to stop recurring notification pop-ups or template messages that appear when interacting with specific cells in a spreadsheet.

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Clicking or selecting cells in an Excel spreadsheet triggers a recurring pop-up message.
Observed behavior: An unexpected input message or notification continuously appears on the screen, which is likely caused by active Data Validation rules applied to those cells.

Before you start

Identify exactly which cells trigger the notification when selected, as you will need to highlight them to remove the specific message settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear the Data Validation Input Message

Remove the configured input message from the Data Validation settings for the affected cells to stop the notification from appearing.

In Excel, notifications that appear when you select a cell are almost always caused by Data Validation rules. These rules can be configured to show instructions or template messages before a user enters data. Clearing these specific settings will permanently remove the pop-up.

Select the affected cells

Click and drag to highlight the specific cells that display the repeating notification when you select them. If you are unsure which cells are affected, you can press Ctrl + A to select the entire worksheet.

Open the Data Validation menu

Navigate to the 'Data' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'Data Validation' located within the Data Tools group.

Clear the Input Message settings

In the Data Validation dialog box, switch to the 'Input Message' tab. Delete any text in the Title and Input message boxes, or simply uncheck the box labeled 'Show input message when cell is selected'.

Apply the changes

Click 'OK' to save your settings. The repeating notification will no longer appear when you click on those cells.

Tip: If the message still appears, check if the worksheet has active macros (VBA code) running in the background, as certain Worksheet_SelectionChange events can also trigger pop-up messages.

Efficient Spreadsheet Management

Easily Manage Data Validation Rules in WPS Office

WPS Office provides a highly compatible and intuitive spreadsheet application where you can easily clear unwanted input messages, manage cell rules, and handle data just like in Microsoft Excel.

1. Open your file in WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office and open the document containing the unwanted cell notifications.
2. Select the target cells: Highlight the specific cells, or press Ctrl+A to select the entire sheet if the message appears everywhere.
3. Access Data Validation: Go to the 'Data' tab on the top ribbon and click on the 'Validation' button.
4. Remove the message: Navigate to the 'Input Message' tab, clear the text fields or uncheck the input message option, and click 'OK' to apply.

Seamlessly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) file formats.Intuitive Data Validation tools to quickly manage or remove cell messages.Lightweight alternative that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and Linux.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate tabbed interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I only see this notification when I click on certain cells?

This happens because the notification is configured as a Data Validation input message, which is a localized rule tied specifically to the selected cells rather than a global workbook setting.

Can I disable all Data Validation messages in my sheet at once?

Yes, you can remove them globally by selecting the entire worksheet (using the Ctrl + A shortcut), opening the Data Validation menu, and clearing the input message settings. If prompted to extend data validation to the other cells, click 'Yes', then clear the message.

Is an input message the same as a cell comment or note?

No. An input message appears automatically on the screen as soon as a cell is selected. In contrast, comments or notes typically display only when you actively hover your mouse over the cell's indicator (usually a small red or purple triangle in the corner).

What if clearing Data Validation doesn't stop the repeating message?

If the pop-up continues, it may be triggered by a VBA macro. You can check this by going to the Developer tab, clicking 'Visual Basic', and looking for any event code (like Worksheet_SelectionChange) that might be programmed to display a MsgBox.

Office App Problems