The Clipboard is Not Working in Excel – 11 Possible Solutions

The Clipboard is a temporary storage of Excel, that holds all kinds of data like text, numbers, images, weblinks, etc. It can hold a maximum of 24 items.

This is an overview.

Possible Reasons:

• If your Microsoft Office application is not updated.
• The clipboard is full.
• Other applications may prevent the clipboard from opening.
• Third-party applications or Excel add-ins may interfere with the clipboard functionality.
• The Excel file is corrupted.
• You are using a corrupt Microsoft Office application.

Solution 1 – Try Some Common Tips

• Restart the Excel program.
• Restart your computer.

Solution 2. Clear the Clipboard

To clear the clipboard:

• Go to Home tab > Clipboard group > Dialog box launcher. Or press Alt + H + F + O.
  The Clipboard task pane box will be displayed.
• Click Clear All.

The clipboard is cleared.

Solution 3 – Close Unnecessary Applications

• Enter Task Manager in the Search box.
• Click Task Manager (App) or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  
• In the Task Manager window:
  • Right-click the unnecessary apps in Name.
  • Select End task.

  

Solution 4 – Uncheck the Enable Live Preview Option

• Go to the File tab > Options. Or press Alt + F + T. Select General in Excel Options.
• Uncheck Enable Live Preview > OK.

 Solution 5 – Disable LinkedIn Features

1. Go to the File tab > Options.
2. Uncheck “Enable LinkedIn features in my Office Applications” > OK.

Solution 6 – Update the  Microsoft Office Application

• Go to the  File tab > Options > Update Options > Update Now.

Solution 7 – Open Excel in Safe Mode

• Press Windows + R.
• In the Run box, enter “excel /safe”
• Click OK.

 Solution 8 – Disable Add-ins

• Go to File tab > Options.
• In the Excel Options window:
  • Select Add-ins.
  • Set Excel Add-ins in Manage > GO.

  The Add-ins dialog box appears.

• In the Add-ins dialog box:
  • Uncheck all add-ins.
  • Check the first add-in and click OK.

  

Solution 9 – Delete Temporary Data in the Temp Folder

• Open the Run box by pressing Windows+R.
• Enter “%temp%” in Open and click OK.
• Delete all temporary data in the Temp folder.

Solution 10 – Repair a Corrupted Excel Workbook

• Go to File tab > Open > Browse.
• Select the Excel file in File Explorer.
• Go to Open > Open and Repair.
• Click Repair.

Solution 11 – Repair the Microsoft Office Application

• Right-click Start and select Installed apps. In the Settings window:
• Find Microsoft 365 and click the triple dot (…).
• Select Modify.
• In the “How would you like to repair your Microsoft 365 and Office Programs?” window, check Quick Repair > Repair.
• Click Repair to start the quick repair process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel show “Cannot empty the clipboard?”

This error may occur when another application is currently using the clipboard.

What are the keyboard shortcuts for efficient clipboard operations in Excel?

Ctrl+C for copy, Ctrl+X for cut, and Ctrl+V for paste. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+V opens the “Paste Special” dialog, providing access to a variety of additional options.

Related Articles

• [Solved:] There Is a Problem with Clipboard in Excel
• How to Clear the Clipboard in Excel

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