Going Beyond Ctrl+V - How to use Paste Special

Have you ever hit Ctrl+V and wished for a bit more control over what actually gets pasted? Fortunately, many smart computer people felt the same way and created the Paste Special command. Paste Special allows you to selectively paste elements like values, formulas, formatting, or even column widths in your document or spreadsheet.


A Quick Primer on Copying

Before diving into Paste Special, let's do a quick refresher on copying. Simply highlight the cell(s) or text and right-click to select “copy,” or use Ctrl + C (Command + C for Mac). This action copies not only the content but also the associated attributes like format and formulas.


How to Unleash the Power of Paste Special

Now, for the fun part. You've got your data copied, and you're ready to paste, but with precision:

  • Where to Paste: Select the destination cells where you want the magic to happen.
  • Activate Paste Special: Hit Ctrl+Alt+V (Ctrl+Command+V for Mac). A dialog box pops up, offering you a world of choices.
  • Choose Your Paste Flavor: Here's where you get selective. You can opt for:
    • All: Paste everything.
    • Formulas: Just the formulas.
    • Values: Only the values.
    • Formats: Just the cell formatting.
    • Column Widths: Match the source's column widths.
    • Comments: Bring over any cell comments.
  • And for the numbers game:
    • Multiply/Divide/Add/Subtract: Do an arithmetic function directly by pasting numbers in selected cells.
  • Confirm Your Choice: Select your desired option and hit “OK.”

Voilà! The specific attributes you wanted are now neatly applied to your chosen cells.


Take Note!

The Paste Special options differ slightly in Word and PowerPoint, focusing more on text attributes. Test this out to see how you can past individual attributes in these programs!


Wrapping It Up

Paste Special is your shortcut to working smarter, not harder. It empowers you to manipulate data and formatting with a level of precision that standard pasting just can't match. As you get more comfortable with this feature, you'll find it indispensable for efficient spreadsheet management.


Stay tuned to Excelerated Consulting for more insights and tips to elevate your Excel prowess to new heights!

Business Optimization Inquiry

Not sure what service is right for you? Reach out to Excelerate Consulting for expert insights and solutions tailored to enhance your business operations and financial efficiency. Let's explore opportunities for growth together.