How to Format Comments in Excel

Excel is software that lets you create tables, and calculate and analyze data. This type of software is called spreadsheet software. We always insert comments into the Excel cells, so that we can attach additional information to use. By default, the comment box is square, but you can change its shape.

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Step # 1 - Customize the Quick Access Toolbar
First, open your Excel file. Here you can see that this cell has a comment, and the default shape of a comment box. To change it you first need to add the “Change Shape” command to the Quick Access Toolbar. Right click the QAT, and click “Customize Quick Access Toolbar”.

Step # 2 - Access to the “Drawing Tools/Format” tab
In the dialog box that appears, click “Choose commands” from the drop down list to select “Drawing Tools/Format” Tab, and, in the list of commands, click “Change Shape”.

Step # 3 - Add the Change Shape command into the QAT
Click the “Add” button to add the “Change Shape” command into the Quick Access Toolbar. Then click “OK” to close the Excel Options dialog box. You will now see the added toolbar.

Step # 4 - Select the border of the comment
Now select the cell containing the comment that you want to change the comment box. On the bar menu, click “Review”, then “Edit Comment”.

When you first create a comment, the cursor is right after whatever you typed. You need to select the comment itself, not the text inside. So, select the border of the comment.

Step # 5 - Change the shape of the comment
On the “Quick Access Toolbar”, click the “Change Shape” button. From here, you can select basic shapes, block arrows, flowcharts, stars and banners, or callouts, each of which has yet another set of shapes to choose from.

Once you have the new shape, right click the border once again and, if you wish to format this comment even further, choose “Format comment” as shown.

That will bring up yet another dialog box, from which you can choose, for example,” Fill Effects”. You can select the “Picture” tab and import any picture.
Result: Congratulations! You’ve just learned How to Format Comments in Excel.