We could not copy the content to the Clipboard, it is in use by another application. You can still paste your content within this workbook but it will not be available in other applications.

Anonymous
2022-05-18T13:29:01+00:00

Win 10 version 21H2 Build 19044.1706

Excel 2016 Version 2204 Build 15128.20224

This problem occurs randomly and with only a few cells being copied. The spreadsheet locks up and the only way out is Save>Close and open the book again. Sometimes that doesn't work and I have to close Excel completely.

Sometimes the top ribbon completely greys out and I can't do anything.

This is becoming a significant problem.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments

111 answers

Sort by: Newest
  1. Anonymous
    2022-09-01T05:38:05+00:00

    Chandy's response led me to figuring this out for myself just now.

    Saying third-party programs are calling the clipboard made me have a look at what was running on my computer. I had an app jump out at me. The snipping tool. I closed it, and it did not help. So, that wasn't it. I looked again, and another one stood out. My password manager (Keepass). It allows me to copy passwords so I don't have to see them and seems to have some hook into the clipboard. I closed it, and I could then copy in Excel.

    Though, a few minutes later, I got the same message. This time, I would get the message, but I could paste what I had copied. I got the error, but other than that annoyance copy and paste worked. It did not, before.

    I hope this helps someone.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2022-08-30T18:41:03+00:00

    I totally agree! I have the same problem. When I get this massage in Excel my work area basically locks up. To correct I need to go out of excel and then back in. Microsoft please get to work, this is your problem not ours!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2022-08-30T00:44:49+00:00

    Mine has always been unchecked.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2022-08-29T23:47:53+00:00

    Unchecking the Enable Live Preview worked for me.

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2022-08-25T13:21:04+00:00

    (In prior aid from others, a Process gets started under Task Master

    gets interrupted and leaves process hanging)

    Good explanation on net. Handling this eliminated bad system behavior.

    MS 365 even calmed down.

    I hope this helps.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments