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Create Hover Tooltips in Excel: 3 Easy Techniques

The image below showcases the Excel tooltip on hover.

Create Hover Tooltips in Excel: 3 Easy Techniques

Using the Excel Tooltip

You can use the tooltip to:

  • Input Data
  • Explain Data
  • Display a Formula
  • Validate Data

Example 1 – Using Notes from the Review Tab

  • Select the cell in which you want to add the tooltip.
  • Go to Review tab > from Notes > select New Note.

Create Hover Tooltips in Excel: 3 Easy Techniques

  • Enter your note and press Ctrl + Enter.

Create Hover Tooltips in Excel: 3 Easy Techniques

Moving the mouse cursor over the cell will display the tooltip.

Create Hover Tooltips in Excel: 3 Easy Techniques

Example 2 – Adding the Tooltip from Data Validation

  • Select the cell in which you want to add the tooltip and go to the Data tab > Data Tools > Data Validation.

Create Hover Tooltips in Excel: 3 Easy Techniques

  • In Data Validation, go to Input Message.
  • Check Show input message when cell is selected.
  • You can add a title.
  • Enter the text and click OK. The tooltip is added.

Create Hover Tooltips in Excel: 3 Easy Techniques

  • Click the cell to see the tooltip.

Create Hover Tooltips in Excel: 3 Easy Techniques

Method 3 – Using Excel VBA to Add the Tooltip

  • Go to the Developer tab > Visual Basic.

Create Hover Tooltips in Excel: 3 Easy Techniques

  • Insert a new module by choosing  Insert > Module.

Create Hover Tooltips in Excel: 3 Easy Techniques

  • Enter the following code in the module.
Sub Text()
Dim x As Range
 For Each x In Range("B5:B9")
    With x.Validation
        .Delete
        .Add Type:=xlValidateInputOnly, AlertStyle:=xlValidAlertStop, _
            Operator:=xlBetween
        .IgnoreBlank = True
        .InCellDropdown = True
        .InputMessage = "Check Name Properly"
        .ShowError = True
    End With
Next x
End Sub

Create Hover Tooltips in Excel: 3 Easy Techniques

In the above code, select the range according to the position of your tooltip.

  • Run the code to add the tooltip to the selected cell.

Create Hover Tooltips in Excel: 3 Easy Techniques

Things to Remember

  • Try to keep the tooltip text brief and clear.
  • Check whether the tooltips are working properly.
  • Tooltips can contain up to 255 characters.
  • Tooltips are hidden by default in Excel. You can display them by enabling the Show ToolTips option in  Excel Options dialog box.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I add an Excel tooltip on hover automatically?

A: No. However, you can still add it using other features.

2. What type of data can I display in tooltips?

A: You can display different types of data, including texts, hyperlinks, formulas, values, dates, etc.

3. Do tooltips work with merged cells?

A: Yes, the tooltip will be displayed when hovering over any part of the merged cell range.

Download Practice Workbook

Download this practice workbook.

Related Articles

  • How to Show Full Cell Contents on Hover in Excel
  • How to Edit Tooltip in Excel
  • How to Create Dynamic Tooltip in Excel
  • How to Create Tooltip in Excel Chart
  • Excel Button Tooltip
  • How to Remove Tooltip in Excel
  • How to Display Tooltip on Mouseover Using VBA in Excel

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