How to use Application.DisplayFunctionToolTips in the xlwings API way

Functionality
The DisplayFunctionToolTips property of the Excel Application object controls whether function tooltips are displayed. A function tooltip is the small, yellow pop-up box that appears as you begin typing a function into a formula bar or a cell. It provides a brief syntax guide and description for the function’s arguments. When DisplayFunctionToolTips is set to True, these helpful prompts are shown; when set to False, they are suppressed. This property is part of the user interface customization options and can be useful for streamlining the Excel environment for advanced users or in automated applications where pop-ups might interfere with other processes.

Syntax
In xlwings, you access this property through the Application object. The property is a read/write Boolean.

• Get the current state:

current_state = xw.apps[app_key].display_function_tooltips

• app_key: The key identifier for the Excel application instance. This can be an integer index (e.g., 0 for the first instance) or the PID of the process. If you have a single instance or are using xw.Book, you can often use xw.apps.active.
• Set the state:

xw.apps[app_key].display_function_tooltips = new_state

• new_state: A Boolean value (True or False).

Code Examples

1. Checking and Reporting the Current Setting:
   This example connects to the active Excel instance, reads the current DisplayFunctionToolTips setting, and prints its status.

import xlwings as xw

# Connect to the active Excel application
app = xw.apps.active

# Get the current state of function tooltips
tooltips_enabled = app.display_function_tooltips

# Report the status
if tooltips_enabled:
    print("Function tooltips are currently ENABLED.")
else:
    print("Function tooltips are currently DISABLED.")

2. Temporarily Disabling Tooltips for a Task:
   This pattern is useful when performing automated data entry or manipulation where pop-ups are not needed. It saves the original state, disables tooltips, performs its task, and then restores the original setting, ensuring the user’s preference is maintained.

import xlwings as xw

# Connect to the active Excel application and workbook
app = xw.apps.active
wb = app.books.active

# 1. Store the original setting
original_setting = app.display_function_tooltips

try:
    # 2. Disable function tooltips
    app.display_function_tooltips = False
    print("Function tooltips disabled for automation.")

    # 3. Perform automated tasks (e.g., writing formulas)
    # This example writes a simple SUM formula. No tooltip will appear.
    ws = wb.sheets[0]
    ws.range("A1").value = "Data"
    ws.range("B1").value = 10
    ws.range("B2").value = 20
    ws.range("B3").formula = "=SUM(B1:B2)"

    print(f"Formula written to B3: {ws.range('B3').formula}")

finally:
    # 4. Restore the original setting reliably
    app.display_function_tooltips = original_setting
    print(f"Function tooltips restored to: {original_setting}")

3. Ensuring Tooltips are Enabled for User Interaction:
   This example explicitly enables function tooltips, which can be part of a setup routine to ensure a user-friendly environment before handing control over to a person.

import xlwings as xw

# Start or connect to Excel
app = xw.App(visible=True) # or xw.apps.active
wb = app.books.add()

# Ensure function tooltips are turned ON
app.display_function_tooltips = True
print("Function tooltips have been enabled for user interaction.")

# Guide the user (simulated here by a formula placeholder)
ws = wb.sheets[0]
ws.range("A1").value = "Enter a function (e.g., =VLOOKUP() ) in cell B1 to see the tooltip."

# The application is now ready. Tooltips will appear as the user types.
# app.visible = True # Ensure Excel is visible if it wasn't already