Embedding Your Phone Number in a Workbook

Excel is used quite extensively in corporate environments. It is often desirable to know exactly who created a workbook, particularly if it has been months since a workbook was last reviewed. Excel keeps track of non-workbook data that can be used to help identify an author. One piece of data that could be very helpful is the phone number of the workbook's author. To specify a phone number, follow these steps if you are using Excel 2010 or a later version:

1. Display the File tab of the ribbon.
2. Make sure the Info option is selected at the left side of the dialog box.
3. Click the Properties link near the right side of the dialog box and then click Advanced Properties. Excel displays the Properties dialog box for your workbook.
4. Make sure the Custom tab is selected. (See Figure 1.)



Figure 1. The Custom tab of the Properties dialog box.

5. In the list of properties at the top of the dialog box (listed in the Name control), choose Telephone Number.
6. In the Value box, enter the phone number you want associated with the workbook.
7. Click on Add.
8. Click on OK.

If you are using Excel 2007, the steps are slightly different, with the biggest difference being in how you display the Properties dialog box:

1. Click the Office button, click Prepare, and then click Properties. Excel displays an abbreviated set of properties just above your worksheet.
2. Click the down-arrow next to Document Properties and choose Advanced Properties. Excel displays the Properties dialog box.
3. Make sure the Custom tab is selected.
4. In the list of properties at the top of the dialog box (listed in the Name control), choose Telephone Number.
5. In the Value box, enter the phone number you want associated with the workbook.
6. Click on Add.
7. Click on OK.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (9727) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Embedding Your Phone Number in a Workbook.