Paste Special in Excel
Paste Special allows you to control exactly how copied data is pasted in Excel. Instead of pasting everything, you can paste only values, formulas, formats, transpose rows and columns, or even perform calculations.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Alt + V | Cmd + Ctrl + V |
What Does Paste Special Do?
Paste Special opens a dialog box that lets you choose how copied data should be inserted into Excel, including values only, formulas, formats, comments, and more.
Common Paste Special Options
- Values – Paste only the result, not the formula
- Formulas – Paste formulas without formatting
- Formats – Paste cell formatting only
- Transpose – Switch rows to columns
- Add / Subtract / Multiply / Divide – Perform calculations while pasting
How to Use Paste Special
- Copy the data using Ctrl + C
- Select the destination cell
- Press Ctrl + Alt + V (Windows)
- Choose the desired paste option
- Press Enter
Why Paste Special Is Important
- Prevents formula errors when sharing data
- Helps clean imported data
- Improves workbook performance
FAQ
- Q: How do I paste values only using keyboard?
- Press Ctrl + Alt + V, then V, then Enter.
- Q: Can I transpose data using Paste Special?
- Yes, open Paste Special and check the Transpose option.