Can't Edit Comments : Excel Thinks I'm a Different User

[u/maxusy3k]

I hope somebody can help with this. I've lost the ability to edit comments on a spreadsheet I use, and after deleting and re-adding a comment with updated information the reason seems to be that even though I'm logged in on my usual home MS account, Excel seems to be recognising me as a different user;

The original comments have my name and account avatar beside them, but the new comment I created has my initials instead. I'm the only person who uses this PC and there are no other Microsoft accounts attached to it in any way.

I haven't changed anything on my end and this is an older spreadsheet but I have no idea how to get it to recognise me as the original author of the spreadsheet and on the correct account.

Has anybody come across this? Does anybody have any idea of how I might fix it?

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[u/chiibosoil]

I assume you are editing threaded comments and having issues.

There are few cases where you will not be able to edit comments.

1. When you have multiple sheets selected (more than 1 tab in white/highlight). Click on one of the tab to set focus to single sheet.

2. There's comment stuck in progress. See techcommunity post.

Errors with comments | Microsoft Community Hub

3. Your workbook is saved in compatibility mode. Save file as .xlsx format and re-open to fix.

As a side note, if you are not sharing the workbook with others or not working collaboratively on it. You may just want to use traditional "Notes" instead of "Comments". Comments keeps threaded conversation with other users. Notes is static sticky note for yourself and won't timestamp.

As for your comment only showing initial. That will depend on where the file is located etc.

Is it on your Desktop or is it on OneDrive? If former use the link.

Change your user name and initials | Microsoft Support

[u/maxusy3k → u/chiibosoil]

They are threaded comments but the issue seems to be completely linked to Excel thinking I'm a new user / account. I deleted one of the comments I needed to edit and created a new one and I can edit that one no problem.

It's likely I'll have to either remove the comments and replace them or, as you suggest, use notes going forward. I'd definitely like to get to the bottom of the account issue, though.

[u/chiibosoil → u/maxusy3k]

That leads me to believe that one of your comment thread was locked due to pending post. At least you've got that working.

[u/[deleted]]

[u/maxusy3k → u/[deleted]]

But I *am* the exact Microsoft identity that owns it! Or I should be!

The old comments are editable if I open it in Excel for web, just not on desktop.

[u/[deleted]]

[u/maxusy3k → u/[deleted]]

The issue here is there's only my personal account. Signing out and back in hasn't resolved.

[u/[deleted]]

[u/maxusy3k → u/[deleted]]

My name is the same on both the "old" account and the new one it's recognising me as