Excel Copy and Paste Not Working? Fixes for Clipboard Issues

Problem: Paste Options Button Missing

The little paste options popup doesn't appear after pasting?

Fix: File → Options → Advanced → scroll to “Cut, copy, and paste” → check “Show Paste Options button when content is pasted”

Problem: “Cannot Empty Clipboard” Error

This often happens when another program is using the clipboard.

Fix 1: Close other programs that might access clipboard (screenshot tools, clipboard managers, remote desktop)

Fix 2: Open Clipboard (Win+V) and click “Clear all”

Fix 3: Restart Excel

Problem: Pasting Formulas Instead of Values

Copy a cell with a formula and it pastes the formula, not the result?

Fix: Use Paste Values:

• Right-click → Paste Special → Values
• Or: Ctrl+Alt+V → V → Enter
• Or: Alt, H, V, V (ribbon shortcut)

Problem: Formatting Comes Along

Paste brings unwanted formatting from the source?

Fix: Paste Values only (removes all formatting) or Paste → Keep Source Formatting vs. Match Destination Formatting based on what you want.

Problem: Column Widths Change

Pasting data changes your column widths?

Fix: Paste Special → uncheck “Column widths” or paste Values only.

Problem: Can't Paste Into Filtered Range

Pasting into filtered data pastes into hidden rows too — not just visible ones.

Fix: Select visible cells only before copying: Select range → Alt+; (semicolon) → then copy and paste

Or: Home → Find & Select → Go To Special → Visible cells only

Problem: Paste Into Merged Cells Fails

“Cannot change part of a merged cell” error?

Fix: Unmerge the destination cells first, paste, then re-merge if needed.

Problem: Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V Not Working

Keyboard shortcuts don't work?

• Check if Scroll Lock is on (can interfere with some shortcuts)
• Try right-click copy/paste instead
• Check for conflicting add-ins
• Restart Excel

Official Resources

• Paste Special — Microsoft's paste guide
• Clipboard pane — manage multiple copies