Forum Discussion
Copy/paste no longer working in Excel
Sometime in the last few months the copy/paste function within Excel (Office 365 version) stopped working for me. I have updated Windows and all Office apps to the latest version but that hasn't fixed the problem. I've also run the Office 365
The symptom is very strange. When I hit Ctrl-C (or use the drop-down menus) on a cell in Excel the dashed lines that surround a cell selected for copying show up very briefly but immediately disappear. If I go to another cell and paste it just puts a open parenthesis "(" in the cell. Using Ctrl-X to cut exhibits similar behavior.
If I repeatedly hit Ctrl-C it will occasionally work (the dashed lines remain and I can paste) but it typically takes 15-20 tries before it will work and if I try again it will fail. This only seems to affect me when I try to copy cells. If I select a cell and then edit the cell and manually select the content of the cell I can copy and paste with no issue. It also appears to only be an issue when a cell is not empty. If I select an empty cell I can copy/paste just fine. If I select a cell that has been highlighted but has no content that also works properly. It's only when there's text or a formula in the cell that this is an issue.
This only affects Excel, I haven't observed the issue in any other app.
Any ideas?
- I’d recommend that everyone having thus issue goes to File > Feedback and send a frown, putting your details in the section and start it [Can’t Copy Paste]
Also what version is everyone in who’s having this problem ? File > Account
It will read something like
Semi Annual Channel
Build 1234.567
I know this is a bit late from when you're issue was. I was having a similar issue. I was trying to copy from one excel spreadsheet and pasting into another. When I would paste, the cell range would briefly show the information that I was trying to paste, and then it would disappear and reapply the original data that was there within the range. I just happened to be on this page when I stumbled onto the solution for my particular problem and thought that I would share in case it's a similar issue for you or others.
To solve my problem, I right clicked on the sheet of the data that I was trying to copy, and pressed the 'Ungroup Sheets' option.
Jon Firooz I just had the same issue. It seemed that I may have had multiple sheets selected.
So I wen through each sheet and click them each one time so as to ensure I only had one sheet actually selected (I had 20 sheets not hidden). That worked for me
- I found a solution that worked for me. Start Excel in safe mode by holding down Ctrl and then click on Excel icon. Open the spreadsheet you are having trouble with. I was able to copy and paste and close the spreadsheet and then open it normally in excel and it worked !!
Hi If you have other workbooks open make sure all workbooks are saved the ctrl c should work Jon Firooz
dave-richards666Dave, I can only save files and not workbooks. I save the Excel file while in the first workbook because Excel returns to the last place you were in the file. Are you suggesting I have to go into each workbook, and save the file while in each one to resolve the Copy&Paste problem? Also, sometimes I have to hit Cntrl C many times before the dashes remain. If the dashes do not remain, then the Paste is simple a text paste, and the whole Paste Excel richness is gone, and only 2 options show up in the drop down window. Vincent
VLavalleAZ A workbook is a file. I think you are getting confused between workbooks and worksheets.
This is what broke my cut-and-paste abiltiy in Excel. Jon Firooz
I produce some spreadsheets programmatically with powershell in a scheduled task.
This only works if you add these directories to your machine
C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\Desktop
That solution comes from here.
https://superuser.com/questions/579900/why-cant-excel-open-a-file-when-run-from-task-scheduler
When you add those directories your cut and paste in excel will stop working. It is real time, you do not even need to open/close excel. Open a spreadsheet add those directories cut and paste in excel will stop working. Remove those directories it will start working again. The issue is that MS does not test their stuff to be run in an automated way, everything is based on user interaction, another link within the page above.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/257757/considerations-for-server-side-automation-of-office
All current versions of Microsoft Office were designed, tested, and configured to run as end-user products on a client workstation. They assume an interactive desktop and user profile. They do not provide the level of reentrancy or security that is necessary to meet the needs of server-side components that are designed to run unattended.
- Thanks!
Many, many thanks! You just put years back on my life. JOHN EICHMANN
OMGoodness sir, you have fixed my problem that has plagued me for months! I dont know why this worked when nothing else would, but by jove you have done it sir!
THANK YOU!!!!!
- maybe delete the clipboard and try again ... is just a suggestion
Delete clipboard by command
Press the key combination [Windows] + [R].
A small window now opens. Enter the following command there: cmd / c "echo off | clip". Click "OK" to confirm. The clipboard is then automatically emptied.
Best regards,
Nikolino
I know I don't know anything (Socrates) Jon Firooz Press Ctrl + C twice quickly it will work
Press Crtl + C twice. It will work.
I have been having the same problem sporadically. For me, the problem is when I try to copy text in MSWord, and paste it to EXCEL, or vice versa. But I think it's the same underlying problem. For some reason, EXCEL hangs onto what ever was previously in the clipboard, instead of updating it with the new stuff you've copied. For you, it was a bracket in the previous clipboard. I found a solution that worked for me, on another site. See if this works for you, or anyone else with this issue:
in EXCEL, under the "file" tab, go into "options", and then "general", and UNCLICK THE BOX "enable live preview". It worked for me, and it's a pretty innocuous change to try.
Greg
Jon Firooz FWIW, I had a similar problem. I was unable to copy or cut (nothing appeared in the Clipboard). I discovered that I had opened another Excel file in Protected View. When I allowed editing for the protected file, I recovered the ability to copy and cut in the original file.
I'm running Microsoft Office Business, Version 1907 (Build 11901.20176 Click-to-Run).
