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 the Options >> choose Show Office Clipboard When Ctrl + C Pressed Twice.

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

• 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.

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:

• Firstly, open the Run function by pressing Windows + R.
• A dialog box will pop up. Type cmd and click OK.

• Select Properties from the Context Menu.

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

• 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.
• Type msconfig in the Open box and press OK.

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

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

• 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 File >> click Options.
• In the Add-ins tab, click Go next to Manage.

• 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:

• First, go to Device Manager, select Keyboards >> click Update Driver.

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

Solution 7 – Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter

Steps:

• Go to Settings >> Update & Security >> Troubleshoot >> Additional troubleshooters.

• Select the Keyboard and Run the 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.

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

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

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