Excel Comments not displaying properly

Question

Hi I use a MacOS  version :High Sierra 10.13.3. I recently upgraded my Excel for Mac and have version 16.9.  For some reason all the Comments I have previously written on Excel spreadsheets when I view them they come up as code and don't display in words. How do I fix this  as I need to read these comments in words not computer code? THANK YOU

Answer 1

Hi Maree,

For troubleshooting purpose, I use Excel for Windows to check the two .xls workbooks you provided.

Here’s the result:

For the workbook having no issue, when I go to File > Check for Issues > Check compatibility, it shows “no compatibility issues were found”.

For the workbook having the messy code issue. It shows that “Some cells or styles in this workbook contain formatting that is not supported by the selected file format. These formats will be converted to the closest format available”.

I notice that the two workbooks are all .xls format. Have they ever been converted from another format to .xls? Are there any specific format or styles used in the spreadsheet? But these are all the things I am thinking of the cause of the issue. It seems that the spreadsheet has been damaged for some reason. There may not be easy to repair them. So, how can you get the work well spreadsheet back? If you have any copy of them from your colleagues or organization server, can you get all them back?

Thanks,

Rena

Answer 2

Hi Maree,

Where is the workbook stored? If you store it in OneDrive, you can restore a previous version via the version history feature.

If you only store the workbook on your local location, please provide us the information below:

1. Do you have any other copy of the workbook? If so, open the copy of the copy workbook to see the result.
2. Please provide a screenshot about the “code” so we can know more clearly about how the issue looks like.
3. Create a new test workbook and create comments, does the issue happen?

Thanks,

Rena

Answer 3

HI  Rena, 

1: my workbook /spreadsheets are stored on my computer.

I am not able or don’t know how to open it in an earlier Microsoft excel.

2: Every spreadsheet I open seems to open now in the latest excel and  this is what the comments look like. (They were originally entered in words.)

I have tried several different spreadsheets stored on my computer  and  all the comments appear in code like this on all of them.

3: I opened a new test spreadsheet and entered new comments. The comments seem to save as normal on the new spreadsheet

I would really appreciate  finding away to get all my past spreadsheets with comments readable as they are important part of my business.

thank you

☺️cheers maree

Answer 4

Hi Maree,

Before the issue fixed, please do not open more old workbooks on your computer to avoid more corrupt workbooks.

Recently, we have received some issue caused by the conflict between some third-party and Office new 16.9 version. To check if the issue is related to third-party, please try rebooting your system in safe boot to see the result: restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key. The white Apple logo appears on your display. Release the shift key when you see the logo window. If your startup disk encrypted with FileVault, you might be asked to log in twice: once to unlock the startup disk, and again to log in to the Finder. Then copy some old workbooks to avoid destroy them, then open the copy of the workbooks to see if the comments are damaged in Mac safe mode.

I also would like to collect a test corrupt workbook from your side. You can clear all confidential information. To protect your privacy, I have sent you a private message to collect them. Please access it via this link

On the other hand, your uploaded image is not showing. Please make sure you click the “upload image” button in the forum to insert it instead of copying and pasting it directly to the reply box.

Thanks,

Rena

Answer 5

HI Rena I have done as you asked but for some reason can't open via the link to attach the pictures

Could you please resend a new link. Thank you 

P.s when I opened Mac in safe boot and copied an old workbook I was able to read the comments.