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How to Copy Excel ScreenTip Pop-Up Boxes and Text

Bushra Parveen Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to extract the text from Excel ScreenTip pop-up boxes or copy the visual box itself into a spreadsheet without manually retyping the content.

How to Copy Excel ScreenTip Pop-Up Boxes and Text

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to document or extract information stored inside pop-up ScreenTips (such as data validation messages) to paste elsewhere in a worksheet.
Observed behavior: Excel does not treat ScreenTip pop-ups as selectable or copyable worksheet objects, preventing users from directly copying the text or the box from the UI overlay.

Before you start

Identify the type of ScreenTip you are looking at. Excel ScreenTips are typically generated by Data Validation Input Messages, Cell Notes, or Comments, and the method to extract their text depends on the source.

Solution 1Recommended

Extract Text from Data Validation Input Messages

If the ScreenTip appears automatically when you click a cell, it is likely a Data Validation input message. You can copy the text directly from the Data Validation settings.

Since the pop-up itself is not an editable object, you must access the underlying rule that generates the message to copy its text content.

Select the target cell

Click on the cell that displays the ScreenTip pop-up box you want to copy.

Open Data Validation

Navigate to the Data tab on the Excel ribbon and click on Data Validation.

Copy the Input Message

Go to the Input Message tab in the dialog box. Highlight the text in the 'Input message' text box, press Ctrl+C to copy it, and then paste it wherever needed in your spreadsheet.

Extract Text from Data Validation Input Messages

Batch Extraction: If you have many input messages to extract, this manual method is safest. For bulk extraction across an entire sheet, you would need to use a VBA macro.

Solution 2

Capture the Visual ScreenTip Box Using a Screenshot

Since Excel does not provide a command to copy the ScreenTip box as a worksheet object, taking a screenshot is the best way to capture its visual appearance.

Solution 3

Copy Text from Cell Comments or Notes

If the pop-up appears only when hovering over a cell with a small red or purple indicator in the corner, it is a Note or Comment.

Manage Spreadsheets Easily

Easily Manage Excel Data Validation and Comments in WPS Office

WPS Office provides a highly compatible and completely free platform to manage, edit, and extract data from your spreadsheets. Viewing and copying ScreenTips like data validation rules and comments is seamless and intuitive.

1. Open your file in WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open your existing spreadsheet containing the ScreenTips.
2. Access Data Validation: Select the cell with the pop-up, navigate to the Data tab, and click Validation.
3. Copy the text: Switch to the Input Message tab, highlight the text, and copy it directly to your clipboard.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlsx) formats.Easily view, edit, and copy data validation input messages and comments.Free, lightweight, and highly accessible alternative to Microsoft Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a macro (VBA) to extract all Data Validation input messages at once?

Yes, you can write a VBA macro that loops through a specified range of cells, checks if data validation is applied, and extracts the .Validation.InputMessage property to output the text into another column.

Why can't I just highlight and copy the text directly from the pop-up box?

Excel ScreenTips are rendered as temporary UI overlays rather than standard editable text fields. Because they are not worksheet objects, you cannot interact with the text directly and must access the underlying feature (like Data Validation or Comments) to copy it.

How do I stop the ScreenTip pop-up box from appearing?

To disable a Data Validation pop-up, select the affected cell, go to Data Validation on the Data tab, open the Input Message tab, and uncheck the box labeled 'Show input message when cell is selected'.

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