XL98: All Input Messages Appear in the Same Location

• Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition, validation input messages attached to cells in a worksheet may appear in exactly the same location on the screen regardless of the location of the selected cell.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if you select a cell, and then manually move the validation input message attached to the cell.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, do not manually move validation input messages.

If this problem has already occurred, you can reset the positioning behavior of the validation input messages by closing and reopening the workbook that contains them. (If necessary, save the workbook before you close it.)

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition, you can validate data to control what values can be entered in specific cells. The three main functions for data validation are listed as follows:

• You can specify what values may be entered into the cell.
• You can display an input message that specifies which values may be entered in the cell.
• You can display an error message if an invalid value is entered.

If you assign an input message to a cell, the message appears next to the cell (similar to a ToolTip) when you select the cell.

Normally, the input message appears just below and to the right of the cell. You can use the pointer to drag the input message to a new location. If you do this, all input messages in that worksheet appear in the same location on the screen until you close and reopen the workbook that contains them.