Paste menu options (on the ribbon)
Select Home, select the clipboard icon (Paste) and pick the specific paste option you want. For example, to paste only formatting from the copied cell, select Formatting 
. This table shows the options available in the Paste menu:
|
Icon |
Option name |
What is pasted |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Paste |
All cell contents. |
|
|
Keep Source Column Widths |
Copied cell content along with its column width. |
|
|
Transpose |
Reorients the content of copied cells when pasting. Data in rows is pasted into columns and vice versa. |
|
|
Formulas |
Formula(s), without formatting or comments. |
|
|
Values |
Formula results, without formatting or comments. |
|
|
Formatting |
Only the formatting from the copied cells. |
|
|
Values & Source Formatting |
Values and formatting from copied cells. |
|
|
Paste Link |
Reference to the source cells instead of the copied cell contents. |
|
|
Picture |
Copied image. |
|
|
Linked Picture |
Copied image with a link to the original cells (if you make any changes to the original cells those changes are reflected in the pasted image). |
Paste Special
To use options from the Paste Special box, select Home, select the clipboard icon (Paste), and select Paste Special.
Keyboard Shortcut: Press Ctrl+Alt+V.
In the Paste Special box, pick the attribute you want to paste.
Note: Depending on the type of data you copied and the Paste option you picked, some other options might be grayed out.
|
Paste option |
Action |
|
All |
Pastes all cell contents and formatting of the copied data. |
|
Formulas |
Pastes only the formulas of the copied data as entered in the formula bar. |
|
Values |
Pastes only the values of the copied data as displayed in the cells. |
|
Formats |
Pastes only cell formatting of the copied data. |
|
Comments and Notes |
Pastes only comments and notes attached to the copied cell. |
|
Validation |
Pastes data validation rules for the copied cells to the paste area. |
|
All using Source theme |
Pastes all cell contents in the document theme formatting that is applied to the copied data. |
|
All except borders |
Pastes all cell contents and formatting applied to the copied cell except borders. |
|
Column widths |
Pastes the width of one copied column or range of columns to another column or range of columns. |
|
Formulas and number formats |
Pastes only formulas and all number formatting options from the copied cells. |
|
Values and number formats |
Pastes only values and all number formatting options from the copied cells. |
|
All merging conditional formats |
Pastes the contents and conditional formatting options from the copied cells. |
You can also specify a mathematical operation to apply to the copied data.
|
Operation |
Action |
|
None |
Specifies that no mathematical operation will be applied to the copied data. |
|
Add |
Adds the copied data to the data in the destination cell or range of cells. |
|
Subtract |
Subtracts the copied data from the data in the destination cell or range of cells. |
|
Multiply |
Multiplies the copied data with the data in the destination cell or range of cells. |
|
Divide |
Divides the copied data by the data in the destination cell or range of cells. |
|
Other options |
Action |
|---|---|
|
Skip blanks |
Avoids replacing values in your paste area when blank cells occur in the copy area when you select this check box. |
|
Transpose |
Changes columns of copied data to rows and vice versa when you select this check box. |
|
Paste Link |
Click to create a link to the copied cell(s). |
Verify and fix cell references in a pasted formula
Note: Cell references are automatically adjusted when you cut (not copy) and paste formulas.
After you paste a copied formula, you should verify that all cell references are correct in the new location. The cell references may have changed based on the reference type (absolute, relative, or mixed) used in the formula.
For example, if you copy a formula in cell A1 and paste it two cells down and to the right (C3), cell references in the pasted formula will change as follows:
|
This reference: |
Changes to: |
|---|---|
|
$A$1 (absolute column and absolute row) |
$A$1 |
|
A$1 (relative column and absolute row) |
C$1 |
|
$A1 (absolute column and relative row) |
$A3 |
|
A1 (relative column and relative row) |
C3 |
If cell references in the formula don’t give you the result you want, try switching to different reference types:
-
Select the cell containing the formula.
-
In the formula bar
, select the reference you want to change. -
Press F4 to switch between the reference combinations, and choose the one you want.
, select the reference you want to change.For more information about cell references, see Overview of formulas.
When you copy in Excel for the web, you can pick paste options in the destination cells.
Select Home, select the clipboard icon, select Paste, and pick the specific paste option you want. For example, to paste only formatting from the copied cell, select Paste Formatting . This table shows the options available in the Paste menu:
|
Icon |
Option name |
What is pasted |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Paste |
All cell contents. |
|
|
Paste Formulas |
Formula(s), without formatting. |
|
|
Paste Values |
Formula results, without formatting. |
|
|
Paste Formatting |
Only the formatting from the copied cells. |
|
|
Paste Transpose |
All cell content, but reorients the content when pasting. Data in rows is pasted into columns and vice versa. |
Bottom line: Learn 5 different ways to copy and paste values to remove all formulas and formatting.
Skill level: Beginner
Video Tutorial
What is Paste Values?
Copying and pasting values is probably one of the most common tasks we do in Excel.
Paste Values will paste the values ONLY of the copied range WITHOUT formulas and formatting. This allows us to extract the numbers or text from cells.
There are a TON of reasons to paste values.
One common use is for scenario analysis where we want to “freeze” numbers that are results of formulas and place them in some blank cells.
Another common use is when we want to paste numbers or text into a range that already contains formatting. Pasting values will not change any existing formatting that is applied to the cell/range.
In the image above, the Scenario 1 column already contained both cell formatting (colors) and number formatting. When we paste values, any existing formatting in the paste range will NOT change.
In the first example above, the blank cells have the default General format, and that is why there is no number formatting applied when we paste values.
The Paste Special Menu
Paste Values is one of the many pasting options on the Paste Special menu.
We can also access some of the Paste Special commands from the Home tab and right-click menu in Excel.
The Paste Special… button on those menus opens the full Paste Special Menu.
There are keyboard shortcuts for all of the Paste Special commands. As I mentioned before, the most common we use is Paste Values.
In the video above I share 5 keyboard shortcuts (plus a bonus) to paste values. Here is a list of the shortcuts.
- Alt, E, S, V, Enter (Mac: Ctrl+Cmd+V)
- Alt, H, V, V
- Menu Key + V
- Custom Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) Button: Alt+1
- Ctrl+V, Ctrl, V
- Custom shortcut with The Paste Buddy Add-in.
In the video I also mention my article on the best keyboards for Excel keyboard shortcuts.
If you’re more of a mouse user then checkout my article on my favorite mouse for Excel.
How do you Paste Values?
I’d love to know which method you use for pasting values. Please leave a comment below with your favorite. There are other methods too, so please leave a comment below if you use a different shortcut.
Thank you! 🙂
Knowing how to copy and paste is one of the most basic things you can learn to do in Excel. And while everyone is familiar with doing it, you might be surprised that there are several ways to do it, some more common than others.
Using Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V
This is definitely one of the more common ways that people are familiar with copying and pasting. It simply involves selecting the cells you want to copy, pressing Ctrl + C, and then selecting where you want to paste them, and then clicking Ctrl+ V.
Using the mouse to right-click copy and paste
Also another one of the more common ways to copy and paste. Here you’ll select what you want to copy, right-click and select copy. Then, select where you want to paste the data, then click right-click and paste. This way avoids having to use the keyboard but requires pulling up the menu with two mouse clicks.
Using the mouse and keyboard together
Hold down Ctrl while selecting the cell that you want to copy and drag it to your destination. Then, release the mouse button and your data will be copied.
Note, if you release the Ctrl button first, and then release the mouse button, then you will have moved the cell (the equivalent of Ctrl + X, Ctrl+V) instead of copying it. The advantage of this method is you don’t have to click as much and it’s useful if you’re quickly copying within the same area. The disadvantage is this method won’t work if you want to copy the data onto another tab or workbook.
Using right-click to copy and paste
Select a cell and hover over the borders until you see a crosshair appear. Then hold down on right click and drag it to where you want to copy it to, then release the button. You’ll be left with many options, including copying the cell or moving it. Technically this involves a second click, but you only have to bring up the menu once.
Using VBA
This is obviously not a method I’d suggest if you wanted to just copy cells over one time unless it was part of a larger macro you’re working on. But to copy data over in VBA it’s a fairly straightforward process that includes just one line of code:
Range(“A1”).copy Range(“A2”)
The first range (A1) is the cell you’re copying and in the above example, A2 is where you’re pasting it to.
If you liked this post on How to Copy and Paste in Excel (5 Different Ways), please give this site a like on Facebook and also be sure to check out some of the many templates that we have available for download. You can also follow us on Twitter and YouTube.
Keyboard Shortcuts to Paste Values in Excel
The “Copy” and “Paste” are the common tasks performed every day at workplaces. One of the advantages of Excel is we can choose a wide variety of pasting options. The pasting only values allow us to eliminate any formatting and formula from the copied cell to the pasting cell. The pasting values are often used among many “Paste Special” options. A shortcut is a way to perform this operation quickly and efficiently. So, in this article, we will show ways of pasting values using shortcut keys in Excel.
Table of contents
- Keyboard Shortcuts to Paste Values in Excel
- Examples to Paste Values in Excel
- How to Paste Values Using Excel Shortcut Key?
- #1 – Paste Values Using Shortcut Key “ALT + E + S + V”
- #2 – Paste Values Using Shortcut Key “Ctrl + ALT + V”
- #3 – Paste Values Using Shortcut Key “ALT + H + V + V”
- #4 – Unknown Method to Paste Values
- Things to Remember
- Recommended Articles
Examples to Paste Values in Excel
Let us understand the Excel shortcut paste values concept first.
You can download this Shortcuts to Paste Values Excel Template here – Shortcuts to Paste Values Excel Template
- Let us look at the below data first.
- We will copy this table and paste it into the E1 cell.
We can see that it looks exactly like the left table. But using the “Paste Special” method, we can get only values and nothing else.
- First, we must copy the table and select cell E1.
- Now, right-click to see various options. In this, the “Paste Special” option is also available. So, now, we must choose the “Paste as Values” option to paste the values.
- Now, let us look at the result of the table.
The pasted table has no formatting from the copied range of cells. Rather, it has only the existing format of the pasted range of cells.
How to Paste Values Using Excel Shortcut Key?
Below are examples of paste values using the Excel shortcut key.
#1 – Paste Values Using Shortcut Key “ALT + E + S + V”
After the data range of cells is copied, if we do not want the formatting or formula from the copied cell or range of cells, we can use the “Paste as Values” option from the “Paste Special” options.
The shortcut key to paste as values is “ALT + E + S + V.”
It is a shortcut, but other alternatives excel shortcut keysAn Excel shortcut is a technique of performing a manual task in a quicker way.read more are also available. We will see those in a while now. But, first, let us know this shortcut.
Follow the below steps to paste values in Excel using the shortcut key.
- First, we must copy the range of cells.
- Now, we must select the cell or range of cells where we need to paste the copied data.
- Now, press the shortcut key ALT + E + S (all keys one by one, do not hold any key). It will open up a wide variety of Paste Special options.
- From this list, we need the option of Values. So to select this option in this window, we can press the shortcut alphabet V. As a result, it will choose the Values options in this Paste Special window.
- After selecting the Values option, click on the OK button to get only values.
#2 – Paste Values Using Shortcut Key “Ctrl + ALT + V”
The second shortcut key to open the “Paste Special” dialog box is “Ctrl + ALT + V.” This will open up the “Paste Special” dialog box. From there on, press “V” to select the “Values” option.
Then, we must copy the range of cells to be pasted and select the targeted cell where we need to paste as values. Now, we need to hold “Ctrl + ALT” and press “V” to open the “Paste Special’ dialog box.
Note: We must hold the “Ctrl + ALT” key together and press the key “V” to open the special dialog box.
Once the above dialog box appears, we must press the key “V” to choose the “Values” option and then press the “Enter” key to paste as values.
So, the second shortcut key is “Ctrl + ALT + V + V.“
#3 – Paste Values Using Shortcut Key “ALT + H + V + V”
Not many of us know that we have a “Paste Special” option in the “Home” tab.
After copying the cell, we must click on the drop-down list to see various “Paste Special” options.
Then, we must choose the “Values” option to paste as values. Consequently, it will paste as values.
The shortcut key for this is “ALT + H + V + V”.
Like this, using multiple shortcut keys, we can paste them as values.
#4 – Unknown Method to Paste Values
It is a hidden method that not many people know about. So, first, we must select the range of cells to be pasted.
After that, drag the table to the right side by using the right click of the mouse. It will open up the below options.
Now, choose the “Copy Here as Values Only” option to paste as a value.
Things to Remember
- The “ALT + E + S + V” key is the common shortcut key to paste as values.
- The “ALT + H + V + V” key is another unknown shortcut.
- The “Paste Values” option may paste only values, not formatting or formulas.
Recommended Articles
This article has been a guide to Excel Shortcut Paste Values. Here, we discuss the four shortcut keys to paste values in Excel, practical examples, and a downloadable Excel template. You may learn more about Excel from the following articles: –
- Excel Get Cell Value in VBA
- Excel Shortcut to Select Row
- Excel Shortcut to Add Rows
- Excel Shortcut to Merge Cells
Paste Shortcut in Excel (Table of Contents)
- Paste Shortcut Option in Excel
- How to Use Various Paste Shortcut Options In Excel
Paste Shortcut Option in Excel
To paste any value in Excel first, we need to either cut or copy it using the manual process by clicking on the Cut or Copy option located in Clipboard of Home menu ribbon and to paste it use the short cut key as Ctrl + V key together in the desired location. We can also use paste special by short cut keys Alt + H + V + S and then use the navigation key to choose the right option from the Paste Special list or by pressing the first character of the options available in that list.
In the HOME menu toolbar of excel, you can see the Clipboard group of commands which contains copy & paste options. Again, under the paste options, you can observe various types of paste parameters.
You can paste any type of data; Data may be numbers or texts or special characters. In Excel, you have an excel paste special option of pasting only a certain attribute such as value, format, formula & comment. The attribute of a cell is the formatting, which can be decimal places or preceding dollar signs and in applying cell styles. The format means it can be background color, font color, borders.
When you copy data from one cell and try to paste in another cell, various paste options appear under paste special if you select it. Paste Special offers you a wide range of options; Paste Special is the gateway for many powerful operations, including paste values, which is most commonly used daily. Once you copy data and press ALT + E + S, various paste special options appear.
You can use the below-mentioned paste shortcut keys when you copy data from the clipboard or cell along with ALT +H +V + below-mentioned key from A to X for various paste options.
When you press Alt + H + V, various paste options appear, as shown below.
Definition of Paste Shortcut Option in Excel
It is a paste tool that offers a wide range of options to paste only specific elements of the copied cells.
How to Use Various Paste Shortcut Options In Excel
Let’s check out the important paste options in excel through the given examples.
Example #1
How to Paste Values only or How to replace the formulas with calculated values by paste option.
Here, with this option, I can copy formula-driven data and paste only the calculated values in the same or different cells; the procedure to be followed is shown below.
I have a summary report of quarterly sales data; multiple subtotal functions are applied.
In cell, D18, D19 & D20, SUBTOTAL function is applied
When you click on cell D18, D19 & D20, you can observe the formula used in the formula bar, i.e. D18 cell contains a subtotal function, here I don’t want this to appear; I want the calculated value to appear instead of subtotal function.
And this table containing SUBTOTAL function data cannot be sent to the client as it is (Formula containing in D18, D19 & D20)
Now for these cells, I have to replace these SUBTOTAL functions or formulas to calculated values with paste special option.
The following steps are shown to replace these formulas to calculated values (paste values Only)
Select the cell containing SUBTOTAL formulas, i.e. D18, D19 & D20 and press Ctrl + C to copy them.
Select the destination cell range where you need to copy this entire tabular data.
Now I have two options.
1) Suppose, If I don’t want to keep the formulas, I can select the same data range that I just copied (cells with formulas) and apply paste values in that cell range only
or
2) Select other range where I can copy it and apply paste values.
I will go with the second option to copy the entire table and paste into cell H7.
Now copy the cells containing only formulas, i.e. J18, J19 & J20
Now I need to replace these formulas with calculated values by paste option
You can do it in two ways i.e.
1) Press Ctrl + C to copy & ALT + H + V + V to paste values
Or
2) Once you copied a cell containing the formula, press Alt + H + V; below shown, various paste options will appear in the paste dropdown of the clipboard. In that select V
Now, you can observe the formulas in the cells J18, J19 & J20, replaced with calculated values
Example #2
How to Paste cell comments only from a text cell containing comments
In the below-mentioned example, I have an employee rating column containing grades along with comments associated with cells. Suppose I want to copy only cell comments ignoring the cell values to another cell or the same cell.
Now I need to replace cell M9 containing text with the comment to comments only ignoring text in another cell (“09” Cell) by paste option.
You can do it in two ways i.e.
1) Press Ctrl + C to copy & ALT + H + V + S + C & Enter key to paste comments only (Paste comments only shortcut key for a formula data)
Or
2) Once you copied a cell containing the formula, press Alt + E + S, paste the special dialog box option that appears, in that select comments & press enter key.
Now, you can observe the comment only in the cell “O9.”
Things to Remember about Paste Shortcut Option in Excel
- Sometimes, the Paste Special is not seen in the Home tab, or it will not work. It may be either due to any third-party add-ins interfere with paste special, or it is disabled.
- You can enable it by selecting the excel option and check all the boxes of cut, copy & paste in advance options.
You can download this Paste Shortcut Option Excel Template here –Paste Shortcut Option Excel Template.
Recommended Articles
This has been a guide to Paste Shortcut Option in Excel. Here we discuss the Paste Shortcut Option in Excel and how to use the Paste Shortcut Option in Excel along with practical examples and a downloadable excel template. You can also go through our other suggested articles –
- Auto Format in Excel
- AGGREGATE Function in Excel
- Scrollbar in Excel
- Copy Excel Sheet