How to Change Excel Comment Shape

In earlier versions of Excel you could insert a comment on the worksheet, and then use the Drawing toolbar commands to change the comment’s rectangle to a different shape.

It’s not a technique that you’d want to use too often, but it can add impact to a worksheet if used sparingly.

Excel Comment shape changed to Star
Excel Comment shape changed to Star

Change Shape Command not on Ribbon

In Excel 2007, the Drawing Tools Format tab doesn’t appear on the Ribbon when you select a comment, so the Change Shape command isn’t available.

It’s still possible to change the comment’s shape, but it takes a bit more effort.

There are written steps, and a short video, below

Add Change Shape Command

The first step is to add the Change Shape command to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT):

  • Right-click the QAT, and click Customize Quick Access Toolbar
  • At the top, in the Choose commands from drop down list, click Drawing Tools | Format Tab
  • Then, in the list of commands, click Change Shape, shown in the screen shot below
  • Next, click the Add button, to put the command on the QAT
  • Finally, click the OK button, to close the Excel Options window
in the list of commands, click Change Shape
in the list of commands, click Change Shape

Change the Comment Shape

After you’ve added the Change Shape command to the QAT, it’s easy to change a comment shape (or any other shape on the worksheet.

To change a comment’s shape, follow these steps:

  • First, select the cell that contains the comment
  • Next, on the Ribbon, click the Review tab, and click Edit Comment
  • Click the border of the comment, to select the shape.
    • The selected shape should have a thick grey border, like the one in the screen shot below.
  • Finally, on the QAT. click the Change Shape command, and click on the shape that you want to use.

CommentChangeShape

Watch the Video

To see the steps for adding the Change Shape command, and changing the comment shape, you can watch this short Excel video tutorial.

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0 thoughts on “How to Change Excel Comment Shape”

  1. I followed the video exactly and was able to add change shapes to QAT. However selecting the comment box and then going on change shapes command did not change the shape of the comment box. Rather on a second click it adds a shape to the excel sheet.
    What is it that I am doing wrong.
    Please help.

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