How do I create comment boxes that appear when a cell is clicked?

[Guest]

I created a chart in Microsoft excel and would now like to add instruction
boxes. For example, each column requires a different type of information to
be added. I would like to add some functionability to the chart in such a
way that when the column header is clicked, a box appears with the
instructions. I cannot remember how to do this and I can't find the answer
in the excel help. Any suggestions?

(I do not want to use the comment tool bar because I do not want to have
comments tied to a specific cell).

Thanks.

 

[T. Valko]

You can use data validation but I'm not sure what this means:

I do not want to have comments tied to a specific cell.

Select the cell in question
Goto the menu Data>Valdation
Allow: Any value
Click the Input message tab
Enter your message. The message is limited to 255 characters (if I remember
correctly)
OK out

Biff

 

[Debra Dalgleish]

Select a cell, and choose Data>Validation
On the Input Message tab, enter a comment in the Input Message box.
Click OK

There's a bit more information on data validation messages here:

http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal04.html