XL97: Cannot Remove User Name from Default Cell Comment Text

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SUMMARY

By default, the text of a cell comment contains the user name in the first line of the comment. There is no built-in feature that automatically disables inserting the user name in the comment text. However, you can use a Visual Basic for Applications macro to insert a blank comment. This article contains a macro example that inserts a blank comment in the active cell.

NOTE: The user name that is displayed in the comment is that same name that appears in the User Name box when you click Options on the Tools menu, and then click the General tab.

MORE INFORMATON

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   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/default.asp

Preventing the User Name from Appearing in a Comment

To prevent the user name from appearing in a comment, use a Visual Basic for Applications macro to create the comment. To insert an empty comment in the active cell, use the following steps:

1. Start the Visual Basic Editor (press ALT+F11) and type the following macro code in a new module (click Module on the Insert menu):

         Sub New_Comment()
      
             ActiveCell.AddComment ("")
             ActiveCell.Comment.Visible = True
      
         End Sub
   
   

2. Select a cell in a worksheet.

3. Run the New_Comment macro.

   Microsoft Excel inserts a new comment, without the user name, for the active cell.

4. Click in the text area of the comment, and then type the text of the comment.

Inserting a Blank Comment with a Gradient Fill

The following example macro inserts an empty comment for the active cell. This comment is formatted with a gradient fill pattern and uses a different AutoShape and an italic bold font face.

1. Type the following code in a module:

         Sub Fancy_Comment()
      
             ActiveCell.AddComment ("")             'Create the comment.
             ActiveCell.Comment.Visible = True
             ActiveCell.Comment.Shape.Select
      
             With Selection
                .ShapeRange.AutoShapeType = _       'Set the AutoShape.
                    msoShapeExplosion2
      
                .ShapeRange.Fill.PresetGradient _   'Set background color.
                    msoGradientHorizontal, 1, _
                    msoGradientHorizon
      
                .Font.Name = "Arial"                'Set the font.
                .Font.FontStyle = "Bold Italic"
             End With
      
         End Sub
   
   

2. Select a cell in a worksheet.

3. Run the Fancy_Comment macro.

   Microsoft Excel inserts a new comment, without the user name, for the active cell.

4. Click the text area of the comment, and then type the text of the comment.

Displaying the Comment When the Pointer is Over the Cell

After you run either of the macros in this article, the comment remains visible. You can display the comment only when you move the pointer over the red triangle in the top-right corner of the cell with the comment. To do this, use the following steps:

1. Right-click the cell with the comment.

2. Click Hide Comment on the shortcut menu that appears.

REFERENCES

For more information about cell comments, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

   comments, overview