[Fixed!] Cut and Paste Not Working in Excel

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Need to learn how to solve if Cut and Paste not working in Excel? If you are looking for such unique tricks, you’ve come to the right place. The most common operation we perform in Excel sheets is Cut and Paste. Here, we will take you through 10 relatable issues with their authentic solutions of Cut and Paste not working in Excel.


Cut and Paste Not Working in Excel: 10 Solutions

We use Cut and Paste frequently while doing any operation in Excel. But sometimes, problems may arise when we try to Cut and Paste. So, this article will show you the practical solutions to the problem of Cut and Paste not working in Excel.
For clarification, we’re going to use a Daily Sales-Fruit section report of a certain grocery store. This dataset contains the Product names, Customer names, Quantity, Unit Prices, and Amounts in different columns.

cut and paste not working in excel

Here, we have used Microsoft Excel 365 version, you may use any other version according to your convenience.


Issue 01: Cut Error for Multiple Selection

Excel shows errors when we want to cut different rows and columns. See the steps below to know about the problem.

  • Firstly, select different rows and columns as shown in the red-colored boxes in the following picture and try to Cut them.
  • And immediately, a Microsoft Excel error message will pop out.

Cut Error for Multiple Selection

Solution:
If you pick numerous ranges and then try to use the Cut command, Excel will display that cut error warning. The solution is given below.

📌 Steps:

  • Simply, select a single range. In this case, we selected cells in the B4:F7 range.
  • Then, press CTRL+X on the keyboard.

Now, you can see this operating well.
Note: Also, you cannot select multiple ranges that match up to perform the Cut command. But, you can do this while performing Copy operations in Excel.


Issue 02: Cut and Paste Area Size Doesn’t Match in Excel

Moreover, if the Cut area and Paste area don’t match, Excel will show an error. Follow the steps below to find out about the problem.

  • At the very beginning, select Column B.
  • Then, cut it by pressing CTRL+X.

Cut and Paste Area Size Doesn't Match in Excel

  • Later, select cell H4.
  • After that, press CTRL+V to paste it.
  • Instantly, an error message will pop out.

Solution:
The feasible way to solve it is given below.

📌 Steps:

  • At first, cut the item like before.
  • Then, select the entire Column H.
  • Next, paste it as we did before.


Issue 03: Cut and Paste Problem for Merged cell

Additionally, we cannot perform these operations in merged cells. Follow the steps carefully.

  • Firstly, go to the Exceldemy website.
  • Then, open the article.
  • After that, select the heading of the article.
  • Later, press CTRL + X to cut it down.

Cut and Paste Problem for Merged Cell

  • Now, return to the Excel worksheet.
  • Next, select cell B2.
  • Then, press CTRL + V to paste the new heading.
  • But the operation won’t proceed and shows an error box.

Solution:

We can solve this problem by unmerging the cell. So, let’s begin.

📌 Steps:

  • Primarily, select cell B2.
  • Then, go to the Home tab.
  • After that, click on Merge & Center drop-down on the Alignment group.
  • Later, select Unmerge Cells from the options.

  • Now, the cells get unmerged.
  • Again, try to paste the heading.

Now, it’s completely okay to paste your desired element.


Issue 04: DDE Causing Problems in Cut and Paste in Excel

Additionally, the DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) option can create problems during performing the Cut and Paste operations.
Solution:
Ignoring DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) can solve the Excel cannot paste data issue. Hence, learn the process to ignore DDE.

📌 Steps:

  • Initially, move to the File tab.

DDE Causing Problems in Cut and Paste in Excel

  • After that, click on Options, which you’ll find on the left-bottom side.

  • Correspondingly, the Excel Options window appears.
  • Here, move to the Advanced tab.
  • Then, make sure to uncheck the box of Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) under the General section.
  • Lastly, click OK.

Now, you’ll be able to Cut and Paste ignoring this issue.

Read More: How to Cut and Paste in Excel


Issue 05: Conditional Formatting Stops Cut and Paste in Excel

Sometimes, Excel doesn’t allow Cut and Paste or slows down the process due to the application of Conditional Formatting in the datasheet.
Solution:
Let’s see the process to clear this issue in action.

📌 Steps:

  • In the first place, jump to the Home tab.
  • Secondly, click on the Conditional Formatting drop-down on the Styles group.
  • Thirdly, select Clear Rules from the drop-down list.
  • Lastly, choose Clear Rules from Entire Sheet from the options.

Conditional Formatting Stops Cut and Paste in Excel

Here, it’ll remove all the formatting. And then, save the file as a new file. Finally, you’ll be able to Cut and Paste without any issues.


Issue 06: Cut and Paste a Large Amount of Data in Excel

We know that the traditional XLS sheets have 65,000 rows. This will create problems in the Cut–Paste of a larger amount of data.
Solution:
If you want to cut more than that, just switch to the XLSX sheet format. There you’ll have a million rows to input data.

Cut and Paste a Large Amount of Data in Excel


Issue 07: Excel Add-ins Freezing Cut and Paste

Add-ins can freeze Excel sheets when we try to Cut and Paste.
Solution:
Therefore, follow the steps below to disable & then enable the add-ins.

📌 Steps:

  • At first, open the Excel Options like before.
  • Then, go to the Add-ins tab.
  • After that, select Excel Add-ins in the Manage box.
  • Finally, click on Go.

Excel Add-ins Freezing Cut and Paste

  • Moreover, uncheck all of them.
  • Again, select all of them.
  • Lastly, click OK.

Finally, the issue will disappear and you can Cut and Paste without any issues.


Issue 08: Activating Hardware Graphics Acceleration in Excel

Sometimes activating Hardware Graphics Acceleration can create problems.
Solution:
Deactivating the Hardware Graphics Acceleration will solve the freezing issues when cutting and pasting data.

📌 Steps:

  • Equivalently, open the Excel Options window.
  • After that, proceed to the Advanced tab.
  • Then, check the box of Disable hardware graphics acceleration under the Display section.
  • Additionally, click OK.

Activating Hardware Graphics Acceleration in Excel


Issue 09: Corrupted Excel Sheet

In turn, Cut and Paste won’t work if the Excel file is corrupted.
Solution:
Additionally, rebooting the PC in a clean boot state will show you if the Excel sheet is corrupted or not.

📌 Steps:

  • Firstly, open the Run app.
  • Then, write down msconfig in the Open box.
  • Hence, click OK.
  • Alternatively, press ENTER.

Corrupted Excel Sheet

  • Immediately, the System Configuration window appears.
  • Here, go to the General tab.
  • Then, uncheck the box of Load startup items under Selective startup.

  • After that, move to the Services tab.
  • Additionally, check the box of Hide all Microsoft services.
  • Also, select Disable all.

  • Consequently, jump to the Startup tab.
  • Here, click on Open Task Manager.

  • Lastly, disable each and every startup process.

  • Finally, go back to the System Configuration window.
  • Then, click OK to save the changes.
  • It will reboot in clean mode while you restart your PC.


Issue 10: Collecting Too Many Items on Clipboard

If we cut or copy multiple items multiple times, the clipboard gets a lot of elements to store. Then, sometimes, the Cut and Paste doesn’t work properly or the process gets slowed down.
Solution:
In this case, we’ve to erase all things from the clipboard. Don’t worry. Just go through the steps below.

📌 Steps:

  • First or foremost, go to the Home tab.
  • After that, click on the little arrow beside the Clipboard group.
  • Thus, the clipboard task pane opens on the left side of the worksheet.
  • Later, select Clear All to format the clipboard.

Collecting too Many Items on Clipboard


More Possible Solutions for Cut and Paste Not Working in Excel

There could be other possible solutions to the same problem. Let’s go through them in short.


1. Restarting Excel Workbook

At times, simply reopening the Excel workbook can solve the issues related to Cut and Paste. So, before jumping into other solutions, first, just restart the workbook.


2. Launching Excel in Safe Mode

Opening an Excel file in safe mode can solve the problem related to the damaged add-in that may restrain the users from pasting data. For launching Excel in safe mode,

  • Initially, press and hold the CTRL key on the keyboard.
  • Secondly, double-click on the file to open it.
  • Instantly, a dialog box pops out.
  • Then, select Yes on the box.

Launching Excel in Safe Mode


3. Deleting Cache Files

Moreover, clearing the overloaded cache files can solve the freezing issues. So, delete the cache files and Excel will work fine.


4. Scanning Malicious Viruses

Sometimes, Virus causes issues in Excel Cut and Paste commands. In order to solve the problems, try to remove that malicious virus.


5. Repairing Office Installation

We do not advise doing this because it will fix your computer’s complete Office installation. This includes programs like Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Publisher. Try to fix the setup if you are experiencing various issues with Office, including a lack of the Cut, Copy, and Delete options. Allow me to demonstrate the process step-by-step.

  • First, press the WIN+I key to open Settings.
  • Secondly, move to the Apps & features section.
  • Then, write down office in the search box.
  • After that, click on Modify.
  • Later, follow further instructions depending upon your installation to repair online.

Repairing Office Installation


6. Disabling Macro Express Application

Macro Express is a Windows-based application that runs in the background and sometimes it may cause problems in Excel. So, close this application to solve the issue.


7. Using Automatic Repair Tool of Microsoft

Installing the XLStylesTool is advised if you routinely work with Excel spreadsheets and encounter the problem often. You can use this Microsoft application to help you repair damaged Excel workbooks. It functions to locate the corrupt data in an Excel Sheet, allowing you to clear the entire file.


8. Applying VBA Code to Reset Cells

Alternatively, you can apply the VBA code to reset cells to make them in default mode. So, without further delay, let’s dive in!

  • First of all, go to the Developer tab.
  • Then, select Visual Basic on the Code group.
  • Alternatively, press ALT + F11 to do the same task.

Applying VBA Code to Reset Cells

  • Instantly, the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window opens.
  • Afterward, move to the Insert tab.
  • Later, select Module from the options.

Applying VBA Code to Solve Cut and Paste Not Working in Excel

  • Immediately, it opens the code module.
  • Then, write down the following code in the module.
Sub rst_cl()
CommandBars("Cell").Reset
CommandBars("Row").Reset
CommandBars("Column").Reset
End Sub

Applying VBA Code to Solve Cut and Paste Not Working in Excel

  • Lastly, select the Run icon or press F5 on the keyboard.

Applying VBA Code to Solve Cut and Paste Not Working in Excel

Your Excel cells will be returned to their default state after the commands have finished. Hopefully, this will solve the problem.


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Conclusion

This article provides easy and brief solutions to the Cut and Paste not working problem in Excel. Don’t forget to download the practice file. Thank you for reading this article, we hope this was helpful. Please let us know in the comment section if you have any queries or suggestions.


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Shahriar Abrar Rafid
Shahriar Abrar Rafid

Shahriar Abrar Rafid, BSc, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh, has worked with the ExcelDemy project for more than 1 year. He has written over 100+ articles for ExcelDemy. He is a professional visual content developer adept at crafting scripts, meticulously editing Excel files, and delivering insightful video tutorials for YouTube channels. His work and learning interests vary from Microsoft Office Suites and Excel to Data Analysis, VBA, and Video recording and... Read Full Bio

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