Unable to format comment object in Excel

Question

For some reason, I cannot format the comment as an object in Excel 2016 (Mac), e.g. changing fill color or shape of the comment. I used to be able to do this, but one day this feature simply disappeared. I'm sure it's an easy fix, but I can't for the life of me figure it out, even after searching google inside-out!

• If I right-click the comment border, options to 'format object' is grayed out.

 

• If I try 'format' > 'format comment', the object editing is also limited. Unchecking the boxes under 'properties' has no effect.

Also of note,

• I have an Office365 Student subscription that is still active.
• This is not a shared workbook.
• There are absolutely no editing/sharing restrictions or permissions.
• This problem applies to all past and new workbooks I create.
• This problem occurs whether I create a workbook using the default template or my own.

Anyway, thank you in advance to anyone who posts reply!

Answer 1

The last version on which formatting for comments worked was Office 2011 build 14.7.7 (the final update to Office 2011).

Formatting of comments was discontinued in Office 2016. Obviously Ran does not use comments in Excel or he would know this. Ran would save himself and Microsoft embarrassment by not putting BS out as an answer.

The formatting comment issue has come up constantly since Office 2016 came out. Ran is not paying attention.

In the UserVoice forum, Microsoft stated that the existing comment feature is going to be replaced by an entirely new comment feature. How Microsoft will support Type 1 comments in the future is not known. It appears that existing comments will continue to display, and perhaps that will be all.

If you want the ability to format your comments, I suggest using ordinary text boxes or shapes and abandon Comment boxes.

If you want Microsoft to restore the ability to format Type 1 comment boxes, please send feedback to Microsoft using the Smile button in Excel. You're going to have to do a lot of convincing, because Microsoft has already said, "No."

There needs to be a way to change the default formatting for comment boxes

Answer 2

Ran - Please see the link I referred to.

Dan clearly states that changing the default formatting is not in Office 2016 for Mac and that this will not change.

Answer 3

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the information. I know that we cannot change the default formatting of the comment in Office 2016 for Mac. But if I understand correctly, what Yuchm wants is to edit the comment formatting. And according to my test, we can format the font of the comments in Excel 2016 for Mac. But we cannot change the background color and shape. There is something wrong with my last reply. Though the UI of the format window is changed from 15.41 to 16.XX, the function is still there.

Thanks,

Ran

Answer 4

Hi ran

Quoting from earlier in this thread:

I would like to format it like any object - change the background color, shape, etc. Really my purpose is to insert picture annotations in different cells.

This can not be done using comments Excel 2016 for Mac. This will not change according to Dan Battigan,  retired principal group program manager for Microsoft Excel at Microsoft. I have no doubt that Dan has direct knowledge of how Excel works.

The work-around is to use regular text boxes or shapes instead of comment boxes.