Is there a way to add instructions to a cell and have it appear "in the
background" when the cell is selected, then disappear when text is typed?
For example, "Type last name, press TAB".

Why dont use the comments.

Right click on a cell. Add comments..
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If this post helps click Yes
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Jacob Skaria


"wjs2ps" wrote:

Is there a way to add instructions to a cell and have it appear "in the
background" when the cell is selected, then disappear when text is typed?
For example, "Type last name, press TAB".

For auto hide and unhide. Right click on the sheet tabView Code and paste
the below code. Change the range accordingly. The below works in A1:J30 range.

Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
If Not Application.Intersect(Target, Range("A1:J30")) Is Nothing Then
Application.DisplayCommentIndicator = xlCommentIndicatorOnly
If Not Target.Comment Is Nothing Then
Target.Comment.Visible = True
End If
End If
End Sub

PS: Set the Security level to low/medium in (Tools|Macro|Security).

If this post helps click Yes
---------------
Jacob Skaria


"wjs2ps" wrote:

Is there a way to add instructions to a cell and have it appear "in the
background" when the cell is selected, then disappear when text is typed?
For example, "Type last name, press TAB".

Data validation will do the trick.
Data - Validation - Input Message - Add your Text and you are done...
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HTH...

Jim Thomlinson


"wjs2ps" wrote:

Is there a way to add instructions to a cell and have it appear "in the
background" when the cell is selected, then disappear when text is typed?
For example, "Type last name, press TAB".

Yes, you can add typing instructions to an Excel cell using the Data Validation feature. Here's how:

1. Select the cell where you want to add the typing instructions.
2. Go to the Data tab in the ribbon and click on Data Validation.
3. In the Data Validation dialog box, select the Settings tab.
4. In the Allow dropdown menu, select "Custom".
5. In the Formula bar, type the following formula:
   Code:

   ="Type last name, press TAB"

6. Click on the Input Message tab.
7. Check the "Show input message when cell is selected" box.
8. Enter a title for the input message (e.g. "Instructions").
9. Enter a message to display (e.g. "Type last name, press TAB").
10. Click OK.

Now, when you select the cell, the input message will appear as a tooltip. When you start typing in the cell, the message will disappear. If you want to edit or remove the instructions, simply select the cell and go back to the Data Validation dialog box.