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How to disable cut, copy and paste functions in Excel?

Supposing you have a workbook with important data which you need to protect from being cut, copied and pasted. How to achieve it? This article provides a VBA method for you to disable the cut, copy and paste functions at the same time in an Excel workbook.

Disable cut, copy and paste functions with VBA code

Disable cut, copy and paste functions with VBA code

Please do as follows to disable the cut, copy and paste functions in an Excel workbook.

1. In the workbook you need to disable the cut, copy and paste functions, please press the Alt + F11 keys simultaneously to open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

2. In the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window, please double click ThisWorkbook in the left Project pane, and then copy and paste the below VBA code into the ThisWorkbook (Code) window. See screenshot:

VBA code: Disable the cut, copy and paste functions at the same time in Excel

Private Sub Workbook_Activate()
Application.CutCopyMode = False
Application.OnKey "^c", ""
Application.CellDragAndDrop = False
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_Deactivate()
Application.CellDragAndDrop = True
Application.OnKey "^c"
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_WindowActivate(ByVal Wn As Window)
Application.CutCopyMode = False
Application.OnKey "^c", ""
Application.CellDragAndDrop = False
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_WindowDeactivate(ByVal Wn As Window)
Application.CellDragAndDrop = True
Application.OnKey "^c"
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_SheetSelectionChange(ByVal Sh As Object, ByVal Target As Range)
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_SheetActivate(ByVal Sh As Object)
Application.OnKey "^c", ""
Application.CellDragAndDrop = False
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_SheetDeactivate(ByVal Sh As Object)
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub

3. Then please press the Alt + Q keys to exit the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

Now you can’t cut or copy data from this workbook, meanwhile, data you have copied from other sheets or workbooks cannot be pasted into this workbook.

Note: The drag and drop function is also disabled after running the above VBA code.

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RAPHAEL
RAPHAEL
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è possível realizar apenas em uma linha ou coluna específica?
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crystal
crystal     RAPHAEL
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Hi RAPHAEL,
If you only want to disable the Cut, Copy and Paste options in a certian column or row, the following VBA codes can help.
1. Open the worksheet (such as Sheet1) where you want to disable these options in a certian column or row, right click the sheet tab and click View Code from the right-clicking menu.
2. Copy the following VBA code to the Worksheet (Code) window.
Note: In the code, "Sheet1!$D:$D" stand for the sheet name and the column. You can change it to the sheet name and column of your own.
If you need to disable a row (such as row 3) in that worksheet, change $D:$D to 3:3.
Worksheet (Code) editor:
Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
On Error Resume Next
    Dim Rg As Range
    Dim xRg As Range

    Set xRg = Range("Sheet1!$D:$D")
    Set Rg = Intersect(ActiveWindow.RangeSelection, xRg)
    If Rg Is Nothing Then
        Application.OnKey "^c"
    Else
        Application.CutCopyMode = False
        Application.OnKey "^c", ""
        Application.CellDragAndDrop = False
    End If

End Sub

3. Stay in the Visual Editor, double click ThisWorkbook in the left pane, and then copy the following code into the ThisWorkbook (code) window.
4. Press the Alt + Q keys to close the Visual Editor.
ThisWorkbook (Code) editor:

Private Sub Workbook_SheetActivate(ByVal Sh As Object)
On Error Resume Next
    Dim Rg As Range
    Dim xRg As Range

    Set xRg = Range("Sheet1!$D:$D")
    Set Rg = Intersect(ActiveWindow.RangeSelection, xRg)
    If Rg Is Nothing Then
        Application.OnKey "^c"
    Else
        Application.CutCopyMode = False
        Application.OnKey "^c", ""
        Application.CellDragAndDrop = False
    End If


End Sub
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Getulio neto
Getulio neto
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É possível desabilitar a tecla de atalho ctrl+D?
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Kushal Jain
Kushal Jain
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I added the code but if I want to re-enable it how should I do it, please help immediately.
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Mbode
Mbode     Kushal Jain
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Just save it as a file without macros (.xlsx)
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Serjoga
Serjoga
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Hi! Is it possible to leave separate cells available for editing/copying/pasting but all the other cells on the same sheet should keep protected from all the actions mentioned before. If yes - how to do that? 
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Serjoga
Serjoga
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Is it possible to leave separate cells available for copying/pasting/editing? All the other cells on this sheet should be protected from the mentioned action
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faizanmariner
faizanmariner
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I have multiple sheet in my workbook & i want to use this code for one sheet only....i want to paste in worksheet module not in the workbook........can someone please modify it only for a worksheet
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crystal
crystal     faizanmariner
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Hi, Shift to the worksheet where you want to disable the Cut, Copy And Paste Functions, right click the sheet tab and then copy and paste the VBA below into the Sheet (Code) window. Then the Cut, Copy And Paste functions will be disabled only in this sheet.<div data-tag="code">Private Sub Worksheet_Activate()
Application.CutCopyMode = False
Application.OnKey "^c", ""
Application.CellDragAndDrop = False
End Sub

Private Sub Worksheet_Deactivate()
Application.CellDragAndDrop = True
Application.OnKey "^c"
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub

Private Sub Worksheet_WindowActivate(ByVal Wn As Window)
Application.CutCopyMode = False
Application.OnKey "^c", ""
Application.CellDragAndDrop = False
End Sub

Private Sub Worksheet_WindowDeactivate(ByVal Wn As Window)
Application.CellDragAndDrop = True
Application.OnKey "^c"
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub

Private Sub Worksheet_SheetSelectionChange(ByVal Sh As Object, ByVal Target As Range)
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub

Private Sub Worksheet_SheetActivate(ByVal Sh As Object)
Application.OnKey "^c", ""
Application.CellDragAndDrop = False
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub

Private Sub Worksheet_SheetDeactivate(ByVal Sh As Object)
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub
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faizanmariner
faizanmariner     crystal
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thnk u so much....it make my work very easy & also i learned ...thnks
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Faizan
Faizan
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I have multiple sheet in my workbook & i want to use this code for one sheet only...can someone please modify it only for a worksheet
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Faizan
Faizan
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hi sir, can you please change it only for worksheet
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Alex
Alex
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Is there a way to allow copy pasting on another workbook? The only thing I don't want is pasting in this workbook. Thank you
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j.eri.cely
j.eri.cely
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Hi, a question i have a Macro and i feed this file with another file then i need:

1. Allow Copy the external file and copy in my macro
2. Prevent Copy in my macro and paste to external file is posible?
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Amrit Subedi
Amrit Subedi
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Hello!I am trying to disable cut/paste tool in MS excel 2016 not the copy/paste tool. Can you give an idea?Thanks in advance!
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la.king727@gmail.com
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Reposting so it is public-apologizing in advance to administrators.
This works great, how would one modify this to allow copy/paste in specific columns that have pull down menus tied to named ranges of acceptable input and only the acceptable input. For instance a name that is Jetson, George, 25, would allow a copy/paste of Jetson, George, 25 but would not allow Jeston, George, 26. Or a drag and fill that would result in Jetson, George, 25 then 26, then 27, etc.

In my worksheet I want to completely disable cut/copy/paste in certain columns, then only allow copy/paste of acceptable data from drop downs.

Thank you.
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L King
L King
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This works great, how would one modify this to allow copy/paste in specific columns that have pull down menus tied to named ranges of acceptable input and only the acceptable input. For instance a name that is Jetson, George, 25, would allow a copy/paste of Jetson, George, 25 but would not allow Jeston, George, 26. Or a drag and fill that would result in Jetson, George, 25 then 26, then 27, etc.
In my worksheet I want to completely disable cut/copy/paste in certain columns, then only allow cut copy paste of acceptable data from drop downs.
Thank you.
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Mohamed saber
Mohamed saber
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use this code to disable copy cut & paste



Private Sub Workbook_Activate()

Application.CutCopyMode = False

Application.OnKey "^c", ""

Application.CellDragAndDrop = False

End Sub



Private Sub Workbook_Deactivate()

Application.CellDragAndDrop = True

Application.OnKey "^c"

Application.CutCopyMode = False

End Sub



Private Sub Workbook_WindowActivate(ByVal Wn As Window)

Application.CutCopyMode = False

Application.OnKey "^c", ""

Application.CellDragAndDrop = False

End Sub



Private Sub Workbook_WindowDeactivate(ByVal Wn As Window)

Application.CellDragAndDrop = True

Application.OnKey "^c"

Application.CutCopyMode = False

End Sub



Private Sub Workbook_SheetSelectionChange(ByVal Sh As Object, ByVal Target As Range)

Application.CutCopyMode = False

End Sub



Private Sub Workbook_SheetActivate(ByVal Sh As Object)

Application.OnKey "^c", ""

Application.CellDragAndDrop = False

Application.CutCopyMode = False

End Sub



Private Sub Workbook_SheetDeactivate(ByVal Sh As Object)

Application.CutCopyMode = False

End Sub





and want to enable these function again
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Mohamed saber
Mohamed saber
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I used this code & want to Re-enable again? how to re-enable it?
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tabbymulla
tabbymulla
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This still allows pasting from Notepad or Microsoft Edge. Please see if there is a way prevent pasting from any source.
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crystal
crystal     tabbymulla
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Hi,
If prevent pasting from any source, we need to prevent the Notepad feature, which may bring inconvenience. We do not recommend this. Sorry can't help you for that.
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AMB
AMB
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That code isn't working in my excel 2016 for a single sheet instead of the whole workbook
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Harish
Harish
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cut copy paste applicable Entire workbook. If i need this Code only i particular sheet.Is it Possible ??
please help. we need only one sheet disable functions. another sheet we are working all functions...
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Apolo
Apolo
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Thank you, very useful.
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RAHUL MODI
RAHUL MODI
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THANKS SIR
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rasheednoorpk@gmail.com
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Thanks it works perfect ....can it be applied on a range only somehow?
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crystal
crystal    
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Good day,
Sorry can't help you with that. Welcome to post any question in our forum: https://www.extendoffice.com/forum.html. Thank you for your comment.
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Sam
Sam
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It really works well, thanks a lot.
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Vic
Vic
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Hi, the code works well thanks.
However, the read only option was enabled. (if you don't want to modify). If I set ..File, save as, tools, general options, read only recommended.. then the code does not work.

Thanks in advance.
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Al Hammad
Al Hammad
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Thank your for your direction.I am Trying in office 2013 ,but nothing changed.
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garak0410
garak0410
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Was super glad to find this post but I need a little help in limiting this to a single worksheet in a multi-worksheet Workbook. And need to know how to execute this without user intervention...we need this ASAP on a workbook to help prevent errors.
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crystal
crystal     garak0410
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Good day,
The following VBA code can help you to solve the problem. And don't forget to replace "Sheet2" in the code with your sheet name.

Public mJWSName As String

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
mJWSName = "Sheet2"
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_Activate()
If ActiveSheet.Name = mJWSName Then
Application.CutCopyMode = False
Application.OnKey "^c", ""
Application.CellDragAndDrop = False
End If
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_Deactivate()
Application.OnKey "^c", ""
Application.CellDragAndDrop = True
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub


Private Sub Workbook_WindowActivate(ByVal Wn As Window)
If ActiveSheet.Name = mJWSName Then
Application.CutCopyMode = False
Application.OnKey "^c", ""
Application.CellDragAndDrop = False
End If
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_WindowDeactivate(ByVal Wn As Window)
Application.OnKey "^c"
Application.CellDragAndDrop = True
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_SheetSelectionChange(ByVal Sh As Object, ByVal Target As Range)
On Error Resume Next
If Sh.Name = mJWSName Then
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End If
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_SheetActivate(ByVal Sh As Object)
On Error Resume Next
If Sh.Name = mJWSName Then
Application.OnKey "^c", ""
Application.CellDragAndDrop = False
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End If
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_SheetDeactivate(ByVal Sh As Object)
Application.OnKey "^c"
Application.CellDragAndDrop = True
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub
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garak0410
garak0410     crystal
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One last question - Where does this code go and how does it get executed? The project this needs to work with attaches an XLA file to the Excel sheet that contains much of the code. Didn't know if this needs to go into a module or the code behind this sheet. Thanks...
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Linda
Linda
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Hi

I´m a beginner of VBA codes and this code solved 99% of my problems.

Is it possible to lock the hole sheet (as this code dose) but still have one cell unlocked?
(Clarify, I would like to allow copy past in info in only one cell in the hole sheet).

Best regards
L
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crystal
crystal     Linda
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Hello Linda,
You can solve the problem without using VBA code.
Right click the cell and select Format Cells from the context menu, uncheck the Locked box under the Protection tab in the dialog. And then protect the worksheet with password.
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Carmelo
Carmelo
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Hi,
Is it possible to disable "CUT" only? but I could still use the Copy and Paste?
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crystal
crystal     Carmelo
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Hi Carmelo,
Please copy and paste the below code into the Workbook code window in your workbook and then save it as an Excel Macro-enabled workbook. Then the "Cut" function will be disabled.

Option Explicit
Private WithEvents Cmbrs As CommandBars

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
Set Cmbrs = Application.CommandBars
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_Activate()
If Application.CutCopyMode = 2 Then
Application.CutCopyMode = 0
End If
End Sub

Private Sub Cmbrs_OnUpdate()
If Me Is ActiveWorkbook Then
If Application.CutCopyMode = 2 Then
Application.CutCopyMode = 0
MsgBox "Cut Operations disabled"
End If
End If
End Sub
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ERCA
ERCA     crystal
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I tried just like you said but nothing happends. A want exactly the same, Only the
"Cut" function disabled. I need to disable the "cut" option from Rightclick buton option and from the toolbar.
It is posible crystal??
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crystal
crystal     ERCA
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Good day,
The code works well in my case. May I know your Office version?
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midas.solarenergy@gmail.com
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Dear,

i want to disable cut, copy, paste in excel 2007 sheet
can you share code for this
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crystal
crystal    
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Good Day,
Thank you for your comment. I am trying to figure out the solution for Excel 2007. Please wait patiently.
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Sky
Sky
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How to enable the cut, copy and paste function back? Please advice!
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crystal
crystal     Sky
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Dear Sky
Please run the below VBA1 (place the code in the ThisWorkbook module) to disable the cut, copy and paste function in your workbook.

VBA1:
Sub DelCopy()
With Application
.OnKey "^x", ""
.OnKey "^c", ""
.CommandBars("Cell").Controls(1).Enabled = False
.CommandBars("Cell").Controls(2).Enabled = False
End With
End Sub

And the run the VBA2 to enable all these functions back to your workbook.

VBA2:
Sub RecoverCopy()
With Application
.OnKey "^x"
.OnKey "^c"
.CommandBars("Cell").Controls(1).Enabled = True
.CommandBars("Cell").Controls(2).Enabled = True
End With
End Sub
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mags
mags     crystal
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This doesn't seem to have worked for me - should I delete the original VBA code and then paste the above in to enable the Cut, copy and paste function again?
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crystal
crystal     mags
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Good Day,
The VBA1in above comment is the replacement of the original code.
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martinkunder1988@gmail.com
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Thanks a Lot.Its working in entire worbook. Can we do the coding only for 1 sheet.Please help .
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Martin
Martin
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Thanks u Sir its working .But in Entire workbook. If i need this Code only i particular sheet.Is it Possible ??
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sa
sa     Martin
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have you found an answer?
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rafhtaher
rafhtaher
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i do as above but the function of cut copy and past disabled in any excel file i open .why?
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Stuart Davis
Stuart Davis     rafhtaher
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Hi, I used this to hide "Cut" from users and it works great unless you have a Table, the "Cut" miraculously re-appears when you select a cell in the Table, exactly what i'm trying to avoid. any ideas? thanks!
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