Excel cut and paste not working after Updates

Hi, James Michael

The fact that cut and paste works in new worksheets but fails in older ones points to workbook-level damage or legacy formatting left behind in those files, rather than a general clipboard problem.

Here are some suggestions you can try:

First, make a backup copy of the affected workbook. In Excel, select File > Open > Browse, select the workbook once, then select the arrow beside Open > Open and Repair > Repair. This can rebuild damaged workbook components without removing the data.

If that does not help, create a blank workbook, then right-click each affected worksheet tab and select Move or Copy. Under To book, choose the new workbook, check Create a copy, and save it with a new name. Since newly created worksheets work normally, rebuilding the workbook container may remove the damaged worksheet metadata.

If moving the entire sheet carries the problem over, copy only the used cell range into a new worksheet, testing after each sheet. Recreate charts, buttons, or named ranges separately rather than copying the complete worksheet.

If the workbook uses the older .xls format, it is also recommended that you save the rebuilt copy as .xlsx. Keep the original file until formulas, links, and macros have been checked.