Fix Excel Paste Values Removing Comments After Update
Question details
Users report that using the Paste Values feature in Excel removes cell comments and notes after updating to version 2411.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Copying cells that contain notes or comments and pasting them using the Paste Values option in the updated Excel application.
- Observed behavior
- The pasted cells no longer retain their original comments or notes, which is a change in behavior compared to previous versions like 2402.
Verify your current Excel version and build number by navigating to File > Account > About Excel so you have the necessary details for troubleshooting.
Submit a Service Request to Microsoft Support
Since this behavior changed after the version 2411 update, creating a support request will allow Microsoft to investigate whether this is an intentional update or a product bug.
Microsoft Support can directly investigate specific build behaviors. Comparing the issue against the older version 2402 helps their engineering team identify the root cause faster.
Open Excel, go to File > Account, and note down your exact version and build number.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center using your administrator credentials.
Navigate to the Support menu on the left sidebar and click on 'New service request'.
Include a detailed description of the workbook behavior, specific reproduction steps, and explicitly mention the difference in behavior between version 2402 and 2411.
Use WPS Office to Avoid Disruptive Update Bugs
If recent Excel updates are disrupting your workflow by removing comments during paste operations, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a stable, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for all your spreadsheet tasks.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite.
- 2. Open your spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing Excel (.xlsx) files directly.
- 3. Paste with confidence: Use the familiar Paste Special features without worrying about losing your critical notes or comments.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my comments disappear when pasting values in Excel?
In Excel version 2411, a product update or bug may cause comments and notes to be stripped when using the Paste Values option. This behaves differently from previous versions like 2402 where they were handled differently.
Is there a workaround to paste values and keep comments?
You can try using the 'Paste Special' dialog box twice as a temporary workaround: first select 'Values' to paste the raw data, then copy the original cell again, open 'Paste Special', and select 'Comments and Notes' to apply them to the new location.
How do I check my current Excel version to see if I have the bug?
Open Microsoft Excel, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, select 'Account' at the bottom of the left menu, and look under the 'About Excel' section to find your current version and build number.
Can I roll back to Excel version 2402?
Yes, Microsoft 365 administrators can use the Office Deployment Tool to revert to an earlier build like 2402 if a new update disrupts critical workflows. However, it is highly recommended to report the bug to Microsoft Support first.




