How to add mouse over tip to a certain shape in Excel?
When working with Excel, it's common to assign macros to shapes in order to create interactive elements that carry out specific actions with a simple click. However, as your worksheet grows in complexity, remembering the purpose or function of each shape can become difficult—especially if the shapes serve different roles or are regularly updated. By adding mouse over tips (ScreenTips) to these shapes, you can provide immediate reminders and additional context to users as they navigate your worksheet, enhancing both usability and understanding. This guide will walk you through two practical methods for adding mouse over tips to shapes in Excel: using hyperlinks and applying VBA code. Each strategy offers its own advantages depending on your worksheet's structure, security considerations, and need for automation.
Add mouse over tip to a certain shape with adding hyperlink
Add mouse over tip to a certain shape with VBA code
Add mouse over tip to a certain shape with adding hyperlink
One straightforward way to provide mouse over tips for shapes in your worksheet is by associating a hyperlink with the shape and specifying a ScreenTip message. This method is appropriate for users who want a quick, built-in solution that doesn't require any programming.
To add a mouse over tip using this method, follow the steps below:
1. Locate and right-click the shape to which you'd like to attach a mouse over tip. In the drop-down menu, select Hyperlink. This option enables you to insert a hyperlink, as shown in the screenshot:
2. In the Insert Hyperlink dialog box that appears, click the ScreenTip button at the top-right. This will open the Set Hyperlink ScreenTip window, where you can type the text you want displayed when users hover their mouse over the shape. Enter concise but descriptive information so users will immediately understand the shape's function. After inputting your tip, click OK to close the dialog box. Here is an illustration:
3. Once you're back in the Insert Hyperlink window, click the Bookmark button. In the Select Place in Document dialog box, type A1 in the cell reference field—this will link the shape to cell A1, but you can use any reference or leave the address as needed. Click OK to confirm your selection.
4. Finally, click the OK button in the Insert Hyperlink dialog to finish creating the hyperlink and save your ScreenTip.
Now whenever you move your mouse pointer over the shape (without clicking), the ScreenTip you entered will automatically be displayed. This provides a quick reference, which is especially handy when your worksheet includes multiple shapes or actions.
Some practical tips to keep in mind:
- The ScreenTip appears only when the mouse hovers over the shape, not when you click. If you require click-triggered messages, use different approaches.
- You can edit or remove the ScreenTip any time by right-clicking the shape and revisiting the Hyperlink dialog.
- If your shape already has a macro assigned, ensure that the hyperlink addition does not override or interfere with click actions associated with that macro.
Unlock Excel Magic with Kutools AI
- Smart Execution: Perform cell operations, analyze data, and create charts—all driven by simple commands.
- Custom Formulas: Generate tailored formulas to streamline your workflows.
- VBA Coding: Write and implement VBA code effortlessly.
- Formula Interpretation: Understand complex formulas with ease.
- Text Translation: Break language barriers within your spreadsheets.
Add mouse over tip to a certain shape with VBA code
For situations where you need dynamic control over ScreenTips, require longer or richer tip text, or want to automate the process of updating mouse over messages, you can use VBA code. This method is ideal when you want tips to update based on cell values, user inputs, or specific interactions, and when security settings on your workbook allow VBA macros to run. It's also suited for advanced users who need more flexibility.
Follow the instructions below to add a mouse over tip to a shape using VBA:
1. Open the Excel worksheet containing the shape you want to enhance with a mouse over tip. Then, right-click the worksheet tab at the bottom and select View Code from the context menu. This will open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications editor window.
2. In the VBA editor, copy the first VBA code (provided below in the article) and paste it into the code window for the corresponding worksheet object. This code typically defines how the tip will behave for the shape and handles mouse interactions.
VBA Code1: Add mouse over tip to a certain shape
Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
'Updated by Extendoffice 2018/3/30
If Target.Address = Range("A1").Address Then
Call MoveRow
End If
End Sub3. Next, click Insert > Module in the VBA editor. This will create a new module where you can paste the second VBA code listed below. This code is generally used to add or configure the actual screen tip for your shape.
VBA Code2: Add mouse over tip to a certain shape
Sub Text()
'Updated by Extendoffice 2018/3/30
Dim xShape As Shape
Dim xRg As Range
On Error Resume Next
Application.EnableEvents = False
Set xShape = ActiveSheet.Shapes("Rectangle 4")
If Not xShape Is Nothing Then
ActiveSheet.Hyperlinks.Add xShape, "", "A1", ScreenTip:="Click to run Macro "
End If
If ActiveSheet.Hyperlinks(1).SubAddress = "A1" Then
Call MoveRow
End If
Application.EnableEvents = True
End Sub
Key notes and tips for this technique:
3. To run the code, simply press the F5 key in the VBA module window. The specified mouse over tip will be immediately applied to the chosen shape.
Related articles:
- How to auto change shape size based/dependent on specified cell value in Excel?
- How to fill a shape with transparent background color in Excel?
- How to hide or unhide a certain shape based on specified cell value in Excel?
Best Office Productivity Tools
Supercharge Your Excel Skills with Kutools for Excel, and Experience Efficiency Like Never Before. Kutools for Excel Offers Over 300 Advanced Features to Boost Productivity and Save Time. Click Here to Get The Feature You Need The Most...
Office Tab Brings Tabbed interface to Office, and Make Your Work Much Easier
- Enable tabbed editing and reading in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, Visio and Project.
- Open and create multiple documents in new tabs of the same window, rather than in new windows.
- Increases your productivity by 50%, and reduces hundreds of mouse clicks for you every day!
All Kutools add-ins. One installer
Kutools for Office suite bundles add-ins for Excel, Word, Outlook & PowerPoint plus Office Tab Pro, which is ideal for teams working across Office apps.
- All-in-one suite — Excel, Word, Outlook & PowerPoint add-ins + Office Tab Pro
- One installer, one license — set up in minutes (MSI-ready)
- Works better together — streamlined productivity across Office apps
- 30-day full-featured trial — no registration, no credit card
- Best value — save vs buying individual add-in