Cant Empty the Clipboard in Excel

Have you ever encountered the frustrating error message “Cannot empty the clipboard” while using Excel? This error can be a real headache, especially if you’re working on a time-sensitive project. Fortunately, there are several solutions to this problem that you can try.

What Causes the “Cannot Empty the Clipboard” Error?

The “Cannot empty the clipboard” error message usually occurs when you try to copy and paste data in Excel. This error can be caused by several factors, including:

• Another program is using the clipboard
• The clipboard is full
• The clipboard is locked
• The Excel add-ins are causing conflicts

Solutions to the “Cannot Empty the Clipboard” Error

1. Close Other Programs

If another program is using the clipboard, you won’t be able to empty it. To fix this, close all other programs that might be using the clipboard, such as Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. Once you’ve closed all other programs, try copying and pasting in Excel again.

2. Clear the Clipboard

If the clipboard is full, you won’t be able to copy and paste in Excel. To fix this, you can clear the clipboard by following these steps:

1. Open Excel and click on the “Home” tab.
2. Click on the “Clipboard” group and select “Clipboard”.
3. Click on the “Clear All” button to clear the clipboard.

3. Unlock the Clipboard

If the clipboard is locked, you won’t be able to empty it. To unlock the clipboard, follow these steps:

1. Open Excel and click on the “File” tab.
2. Click on “Options” and select “Advanced”.
3. Scroll down to the “Cut, copy, and paste” section.
4. Uncheck the “Show Office Clipboard” option.
5. Click on “OK” to save the changes.

4. Disable Excel Add-ins

If the Excel add-ins are causing conflicts, you can disable them by following these steps:

1. Open Excel and click on the “File” tab.
2. Click on “Options” and select “Add-ins”.
3. At the bottom of the window, select “Excel Add-ins” from the “Manage” dropdown menu.
4. Click on “Go” to view the list of add-ins.
5. Uncheck the boxes next to the add-ins you want to disable.
6. Click on “OK” to save the changes.

Conclusion

The “Cannot empty the clipboard” error message can be frustrating, but there are several solutions you can try. By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to fix the problem and get back to work in Excel.