Can’t paste in Excel [Troubleshooting guide]

Being able to copy and paste into a program is a crucial function many users rely on to ensure that work gets completed. Microsoft Excel is one of those programs which offers its users the ability to copy and paste the content into the program. However, some users have reported that Microsoft Excel will not allow them to paste the content into sheets. When they try to paste the content into a sheet in Excel, those users get an error that prevents them from pasting content. Below I will show you a variety of solutions you can use to help resolve the issue of not being able to paste the content into Excel.

The first solution you can try is to clear cell formatting from the cells you want to paste in. When formatting in certain cells is linked with numbers, you may be unable to paste the content into those cells. You simply click on clear formats to complete the process of clearing the formatting. Another solution you can try is to start Excel in safe mode. When you start Excel in safe mode, you can essentially bypass all security-related issues that can prevent you from pasting content into Excel. To go into safe mode, you will simply need to click on the Control and then click on Excel. Read through the different solutions and see which method will help you to resolve the issue of not being able to paste in excel.

Here are the different solutions you can use to help resolve the paste error in Microsoft Excel. Each method will work on a different part of the program to ensure that the error is mitigated. Go through each one progressively to see which solution will work for you to resolve the error.

How to clear cell formatting in Excel to resolve the Excel pastes error

The first solution you can use to try and resolve the issue of not being able to paste in Excel is to clear cell formatting. Sometimes certain cells with formatting may prevent you from pasting content into Excel. For example, if certain cells have been formatted to only allow numbers greater than a certain amount and you try to paste numbers less than the amount, the number will not paste in. You must ensure that cell formatting is removed to paste in Excel. 

  • Firstly, open your Excel document.
  • Now select the cells you want to paste in.
  • Press the “Home” button.
  • Now click on the “Clear” icon.
  • Then select “Clear formats” to complete the process.

Once the process is complete, you have cleared the cell formatting, which will essentially remove all formats and prompts that prevent you from pasting content into those cells. Making sure the cells are clear of any conditional formatting that could prevent the cells from pasting is crucial to ensure you can use the paste functionality in Excel. You can clear this formatting from all those cells; however, you must make sure that you are aware that all the formats from the cells will be removed. So if there are any necessary functions that formatting will accomplish, you will no longer have those functions enabled.

How to start Microsoft Excel in safe mode to enable pasting

Another solution to help resolve the issue of not being able to paste in Excel is to open Excel in safe mode. If you need to paste some content inside Excel, you can open the program in safe mode to temporarily paste the content in. Sometimes when you open Excel in normal mode, you may encounter security-related issues that can prevent you from pasting content inside the program. Read the steps to understand how you can open Excel in safe mode to prevent the issue of not being able to paste in Excel. 

  • Firstly, open the Start menu. 
  • From there, you need to find Excel. 
  • Now (Control + click) on Excel. 
  • Click on “Yes” to complete the process. 

You need to ensure you hold the control key when you press Excel to open the program in safe mode. Once you have clicked Yes on the panel to confirm you want to open in safe mode, you will have managed to open Excel in safe mode so you can paste content inside. Opening Excel in safe mode will fix the security-related issues that could prevent you from pasting in Excel on the original model. However, you must know that Excel will disconnect from all online sources and maintain secure and localized premises. You can’t sync Excel files if you are open in safe mode. Safe mode is not a universal change; it’s only temporary. All you need to do is save your file and then open Excel again, which will open in normal mode.

How to restart your computer in “Clean Boot State” to resolve the paste error in Excel

The final solution you can try is to clean boot restart your computer. The desktop will be restarted when you continue with the steps ahead, so ensure that all information is saved properly on your desktop before proceeding. Microsoft Excel does not offer its users a dedicated cache folder that users can delete to remove unnecessary bits of information to prevent issues like this. However, if you restart Microsoft Excel in a clean boot configuration, you can remove the issues that prevent you from pasting in Excel. 

  • Firstly click on the “Start” menu.
  • Find and open the “Run” app.
  • Input the following (MSConfig). 
  • Press “OK” to continue. 
  • Now click on the option for “General.” 
  • Unselect the box that says “Load startup items.” 
  • Press “OK” to complete the process. 

Once the process above is done, you will have managed to successfully restart Microsoft in its clean boot state. Once you press OK, Microsoft will automatically restart your desktop to implement the new changes. As illustrated earlier, you must make sure that all changes to your document are saved properly. 

Conclusion

Thank you for reading our content on how to resolve the inability to paste in Excel error. We have given you various solutions you can use to help resolve the error. Progress through each one to see which solution will work best for you. If you require further assistance, drop a comment below, and we will address your issues. 

Saajid Gangat

Saajid Gangat has been a researcher and content writer at Business Tech Planet since 2021. Saajid is a tech-savvy writer with expertise in web and graphic design and has extensive knowledge of Microsoft 365, Adobe, Shopify, WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and more! You can connect with Saajid on Linkedin.

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