XL98: Data Validation Message May Not Disappear

ID: Q184444

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

After a data validation input message appears for a cell, the message may not disappear when you select another cell.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if both of the following conditions are true:

An OnKey Visual Basic for Applications procedure is in memory.
```
    -and-
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The OnKey procedure selects a cell other than the active cell.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, click any cell in the active worksheet.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/supportnet/refguide/

Example

To see an example of this problem, follow these steps:

 1. Save and close any open workbooks, and then create a new workbook.

 2. Select cell A1, and then click Validation on the Data menu.

 3. On the Input Message tab, enter any text in the Input Message box,
    and then click OK.

 4. Press OPTION+F11 to start the Visual Basic Editor.

 5. On the Insert menu click Module.

 6. Enter the following code in the module:

       Sub test()
          Application.OnKey "~", "test2"
          'When you type data in a cell and press RETURN, the test2
          'procedure automatically runs.
       End Sub

       Sub test2()
          Range("c1").Select
       End Sub

 7. Run the test procedure.

 8. Press OPTION+F11 to switch to Microsoft Excel.

 9. Select cell A1.

    The input message you typed in step 3 is displayed next to cell A1.

    NOTE: The input message is displayed by the Office Assistant if the
    Office Assistant is visible.

10. Type any text, and then press ENTER.

Cell C1 is selected and the input message for cell A1 is still visible.

REFERENCES

For more information about OnKey macros, from the Visual Basic Editor, click the Office Assistant, type "onkey," click Search, and then click to view "OnKey Method."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If the Assistant is not able to answer your query, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q176476
   TITLE     : OFF: Office Assistant Not Answering Visual Basic Questions

Additional query words: XL98

Keywords          : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode xlui xlvbainfo OffVBA 
Version           : MACINTOSH:98
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbpending

Last Reviewed: May 18, 1999