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How to restrict to paste values only (prevent formatting) in Excel?

Normally, we paste copied data with just pressing the Ctrl + V keys simultaneously. And that will paste the copied values along with all the cell formatting. If you just need to paste the values only and restrict the cell formatting, the following methods can help you.

Restrict to paste values only (prevent formatting) with paste values feature

Restrict to paste values only (prevent formatting) with VBA code

Restrict to paste values only with Kutools for Excel

arrow blue right bubble Restrict to paste values only (prevent formatting) with paste values feature

An easy way to restrict to paste values only is pasting the copied data as values only in Excel.

1. After copying data, right click the destination cell you will paste the data into.

2. Then click the Values button under the Paste Options section in the right-clicking menu. See screenshot:

You can see only values of copied cells are pasted into the destination cells.

arrow blue right bubble Restrict to paste values only (prevent formatting) with VBA code

The following VBA code helps you paste only values of copied cells, and restrict all cell formatting. Please do as follows.

1. Press Alt + F11 keys simultaneously to open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

2. In the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window, double click the ThisWorkbook in the Project right pane to open the ThisWorkbook code window. Then copy and paste the below VBA code into the window.

VBA code: Restrict to paste values only in Excel

Private Sub Workbook_SheetSelectionChange(ByVal Sh As Object, ByVal Target As Range)
    On Error Resume Next
    Target.PasteSpecial xlPasteValues
    Application.CutCopyMode = True
End Sub

3. Press the Alt + Q keys simultaneously to close the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

Now, copy your data, and go to the destination worksheet. Only one click or right click on the destination cell will paste the values of copied cells without any formatting immediately.

arrow blue right bubble Restrict to paste values only with Kutools for Excel

Kutools for Excel’s Copy Ranges utility helps you to easily paste only values of a selected range or multiple selected ranges in Excel. Please do as follows.

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1. Select the range or select multiple ranges with holding the Ctrl key which you need to paste only values. Then click Kutools > Copy Ranges. See screenshot:

2. In the Copy Multiple Ranges dialog box, only select the Values option in the Paste special section, and then click the OK button.

Note: You can check both or one of the Including row height and the Including column width options as you need.

3. In the next Copy Multiple Ranges dialog box, select a blank cell for pasting the copied cells, and then click the OK button.

Then only values of all selected cells in a range or multiple ranges are pasted.

You can download and try the free trial of Kutools for Excel now!

arrow blue right bubbleRelated articles:

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  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Travis · 6 months ago
    This code was great, but it was pasting items in the system clipboard that were copied from other programs. I put it in an 'If' statement which does nothing, unless Excel cells are actually in Cut or Copy mode. i.e. moving border around the cell(s).

    Application.CutCopyMode has three modes: False = Not in Cut or Copy mode. | xlCopy = In Copy mode. | xlCut = In Cut mode.

    'If in Cut or Copy mode, Paste Values Only
    'If Not in Cut or Copy mode, skip and do nothing.

    On Error Resume Next
    If Not Application.CutCopyMode = False Then
    Target.PasteSpecial xlPasteValues
    Application.CutCopyMode = True
    End If

    This was a bit of a bugger for me to figure out. Hope it helps someone else.
    -Travis (IT Professional since 1996)
    • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
      Gav · 4 months ago
      Hi Travis, Thank you very much for posting this.
      I never respond to posts but i appreciate you posting this answer.
  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Me · 8 months ago
    Thank you so much!! It works well and its so useful for the project that I am working on.
  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Bram Verschoren · 11 months ago
    This works for me:

    Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
    On Error Resume Next
    Target.PasteSpecial xlPasteValues
    Application.CutCopyMode = True
    End Sub
  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Wishmaster · 1 years ago
    Would this work on Worksheet level only? I am trying to restrict this only on one worksheet (not entire workbook), but it seems there is a problem.
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