Microsoft Fixes Copy and Paste Issue in Excel 2016: Solution Released

Post Views: 9

Microsoft has resolved a critical flaw affecting copy-and-paste functionality in specific Excel versions after the deployment of the September 2026 security update KB5002914.

Issue Overview

The problem emerged as users reported widespread disruptions with core features such as data pasting, autofill, and formula manipulation. The issue was initially identified through user feedback on Microsoft’s Q&A forums, where reports indicated that content failed to transfer correctly without visible error notifications.

According to Microsoft’s internal documentation, the malfunction occurs when users attempt to paste data, resulting in the source content remaining highlighted while the target area remains unchanged. The absence of auditory or visual alerts, such as error messages or beeps, complicates troubleshooting for affected users.

Patch and Affected Versions

The company attributed the issue to a regression in the codebase, which impacted multiple Excel iterations including Online, 2024, 2021, 2019, and 2016. A targeted patch, KB5002655, was released to address the specific malfunction in Excel 2016. However, Microsoft clarified that this update does not extend to Click-to-Run editions of Office 2016, such as Microsoft Office 365.

Mitigation Steps

Microsoft advised users encountering the issue to consult its support documentation, which outlines the following mitigation steps:

Utilize the “Paste Special” feature via the “Home” tab’s dropdown menu.
Employ the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+V to select specific paste options, including formulas, values, or formatting.

Temporary Workaround

For users seeking a temporary workaround, Microsoft recommended uninstalling the KB5002914 update. This action restores normal copy-and-paste operations but removes critical security patches addressing remote code execution and information disclosure vulnerabilities. The uninstallation process requires administrative privileges and involves executing specific commands based on the Office version installed:

Office 2016: `C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Microsoft Shared\\OFFICE16\\Oarpmany.exe /removereleaseinpatch \”{90160000-0012-0000-1000-0000000FF1CE}\” \”{27882596-A8ED-4382-9C71-6CD2DD19F732}\” \”1033\” \”0\”`
Office 2019: `C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Microsoft Shared\\ClickToRun\\OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.10417.20197`
Office 2021 & 2024: `C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Microsoft Shared\\ClickToRun\\OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.20326.20132`

Company Statement

Microsoft emphasized that these measures are interim solutions while a comprehensive fix is developed. The company also noted that certain scenarios involving conditional formatting may require additional adjustments. Users are encouraged to monitor official channels for further updates on permanent resolution.