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

111 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2022-08-10T12:32:22+00:00

    Hi there,

    It should work for users who produce some spreadsheets programmatically with PowerShell in a scheduled task. It's not my case and, I guess, many other users. Be that as it may, many thanks for your contribution.

    By now, updating to the 2007 version is the best deal we've got.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2022-08-10T11:08:24+00:00

    I may have a solution - Haven't tested it in every case and don't understand why it worked. On the excel tech usergroup https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/excel/copy-paste-no-longer-working-in-excel/m-p/112995/page/5 There is a post from JOHN EICHMANN Aug 12 2020 05:46 AM saying: ‎ "This is what broke my cut-and-paste abiltiy in Excel. @Jon Firooz 

    I produce some spreadsheets programmatically with powershell in a scheduled task.

    This only works if you add these directories to your machine

    C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop  

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\Desktop

    That solution comes from here.

     https://superuser.com/questions/579900/why-cant-excel-open-a-file-when-run-from-task-scheduler

    When you add those directories your cut and paste in excel will stop working.  It is real time, you do not even need to open/close excel.  Open a spreadsheet add those directories cut and paste in excel will stop working.  Remove those directories it will start working again.  The issue is that MS does not test their stuff to be run in an automated way, everything is based on user interaction, another link within the page above."

    T

    On my ystem, I didn't have the directory:  C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop

    so I added it via windows explorer (initially didn't have permission to access the folder but just went ahead by clicking 'Continue'

    I already had the 2nd directory mentioned: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\Desktop

    That's all I did.

    So far copy and paste are working properly and a few other minor issues are cleared up. I haven't deleted those folders as Eichmann suggests. And I have no idea why this should work or why Microsoft hasn't done anything about trying to solve it.

    Was this answer helpful?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2022-08-10T10:03:48+00:00

    You're right, my mistake. Forgot to come back and edit my response, Escape does not work. I've tried turning off Live Preview and still have this issue.

    Was this answer helpful?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2022-08-09T07:48:38+00:00

    Thank you. I had a previous version (2006). The software it's been updated. Hope it works. Kind regards.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2022-08-09T01:47:45+00:00

    This one cost me alot of money on a big project today. Test your updates Microsoft before rolling them out. Or just leave it alone 😔

    Turn off Enable Live Preview in options fixes it.

    Was this answer helpful?

    50+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments