What to Do If CTRL C Is Not Working in Excel (8 Solutions)

4 Major Reasons Why CTRL C Might Not Be Working in Excel

  • Hardware problem can create the issue.
  • The keyboard can malfunction so that CTRL C does not work in Excel.
  • The Excel you are using may be affected by a virus, so CTRL C is not working in Excel.
  • The Excel file may be corrupted.

Solution 1 – Enable Excel Clipboard Shortcut

Steps

  • Go to the Home tab, click on the corner icon of Clipboard, click on Options and choose Show Office Clipboard When Ctrl + C Pressed Twice.

Enable Clipboard Shortcut

  • Select the cell that you want to copy, and it will appear on the clipboard (e.g., B5).

Enable Excel Clipboard Shortcut

  • Paste it wherever needed.

Read More: How to Copy Number Not Formula in Excel


Solution 2 – Utilizing Context Menu

Steps

  • Select the cell that you want to copy.
  • Right-click on it. A Context Menu will pop out.
  • Select Copy.

This gives you an alternative method to copy when Ctrl-C is not working.

Utilizing Context Menu

Read More: [Solved] Excel Copy Paste Loses Formatting


Solution 3 – Enable CTRL C in Command Prompt and PowerShell

If CTRL C is not working in Excel, you can enable windows command prompt or PowerShell.

Steps

  • Open the Run function by pressing Windows + R.
  • A dialog box will pop up.
  • Enter cmd and click OK.

Enable CTRL C in Command Prompt and PowerShell

  • Select Properties from the Context Menu.

Enable CTRL C in Command Prompt and PowerShell

  • Check Enable Ctrl key shortcuts from the Options.
  • Press OK.

Enable CTRL C in Command Prompt and PowerShell

  • Close it and reopen the command prompt in order for the changes to take effect.

Solution 4 – Reboot the PC in Clean Boot State

Steps

  • Open Run (Windows + R) or press Windows + R.
  • Enter msconfig in the Open box and press OK.

Reboot the PC in Clean Boot State

  • Under the General tab, uncheck Load startup items in the Selective startup.

Reboot the PC in Clean Boot State

  • Move to Services, select Hide all Microsoft services, and Disable all. 

Reboot the PC in Clean Boot State

  • In the Startup tab, select Open Task Manager.

  • Then disable each and every startup process.

  • Save changes and reboot in Clean Mode.

Solution 5 – Enable and Disable the Excel Add-In

Steps

  • Open the Excel file.
  • Select the File tab and click on Options.
  • In the Add-ins tab, click Go next to Manage.

Enable and Disable the Excel Add-In

  • Uncheck all the boxes to disable the Add-Ins.

  • Enable them again and CTRL C should be working.

Solution 6 – Update the Keyboard Driver

A corrupted driver may cause an issue with CTRL C not working in Excel. You can update the driver or reinstall it to resolve the issue.

Steps

  • Go to Device Manager, select Keyboards and click on Update Driver.

Update the Keyboard Driver

  • If no update is available, then reinstall the keyboard driver.

Solution 7 – Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter

Steps

  • Go to Settings, select Update & Security, choose Troubleshoot and click on Additional troubleshooters.

Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter

  • Select the Keyboard and Run the troubleshooter.

Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter


Solution 8 – Launch Excel in Safe Mode

Sometimes damaged or corrupted Excel functions restrain you from copying the data. You can use Excel in safe mode to solve this.

Steps

  • Press and hold the CTRL key.
  • Open the Excel file.
  • A dialog box will appear, select Yes.

Launch Excel in Safe Mode

Launching Excel in safe mode should help address any issues related to copying data.


Download Practice Workbook

Download the following practice workbook. It will help you to realize the topic more clearly.


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Fahim Shahriyar Dipto
Fahim Shahriyar Dipto

Fahim Shahriyar Dipto is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering at BUET. With over 1.5 years of experience at Exceldemy, he authored 70+ articles on ExcelDemy. He has expertise in designing worksheets at You’ve Got This Math. Currently, He is a Team Leader at Brainor. Dipto's passion extends to exploring various aspects of Excel. Beyond tech, he enjoys creating engaging kids' worksheets using Illustrator. A dedicated employee and innovative content developer, He incorporates a commitment to academic excellence and... Read Full Bio

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