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How to Paste Values Without Formatting in Excel Using Shortcuts
Question details
The user is looking for a quick keyboard shortcut to paste data as values only, without carrying over the original formatting.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Copying data from one location to another where the original text formatting, borders, or colors are not needed.
- Observed behavior
- By default, Excel pastes copied data with all its original formatting intact. There is no single universal shortcut key combination for pasting values only.
Ensure you have already copied your source data to the clipboard by highlighting the cells and pressing Ctrl+C.
Add Paste Values to the Quick Access Toolbar
This is the most efficient method for frequent use, allowing you to paste values with a single click without navigating through the ribbon menus.
Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar provides a permanent one-click solution since Excel lacks a dedicated default shortcut key combination for pasting values.
Click the small drop-down arrow located at the end of the Quick Access Toolbar (usually at the top left of the Excel window) and select 'More Commands'.
In the Excel Options dialog box, change the 'Choose commands from' drop-down menu from 'Popular Commands' to 'All Commands'.
Scroll down the alphabetical list to find and select 'Paste Values' (look for the icon showing a clipboard with '123').
Click the 'Add' button in the middle to move it to your toolbar list, then click 'OK'. You can now use this icon anytime to paste values instantly.
Use Keyboard Shortcut Sequences
Use this built-in sequence of keys to access the paste options menu dynamically if you do not want to modify your toolbar.
Paste Values Easily with WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Office Spreadsheet provides an intuitive interface and reliable standard shortcut sequences to help you paste values without formatting seamlessly. It handles standard Excel shortcuts while providing excellent format compatibility.
- 1. Copy Source Data: Open your spreadsheet in WPS Office and highlight the cells you want to copy, then press Ctrl+C.
- 2. Select Destination: Right-click on the destination cell where you want the unformatted data to appear.
- 3. Choose Paste Values: From the right-click context menu, directly click the 'Paste Values' icon (a clipboard with the numbers '123').
- 4. Use Shortcut Sequence: Alternatively, you can press Alt+E, then S, then V, and hit Enter to use the classic Paste Special dialog box for values.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a single keyboard shortcut like Ctrl+Shift+V to paste values in Excel?
By default, Microsoft Excel does not support Ctrl+Shift+V for pasting values. You must rely on keystroke sequences like Alt+E+S+V or Ctrl+V followed by Ctrl and V, unless you are using specific newer builds of Microsoft 365 where Ctrl+Shift+V is being introduced.
Why does my copied data paste with formatting by default?
Excel's default behavior is designed to retain the source formatting (such as colors, bold text, and borders) to ensure the data looks exactly as it did originally. To avoid this, you must explicitly use a Paste Special or Paste Values command.
Can I use Paste Values across different workbooks?
Yes, you can copy data from one Excel workbook and use the Paste Values command in another. This will carry over only the text, numbers, or formula results, completely leaving the source formatting behind.
What does the Paste Values icon look like?
The Paste Values icon is visually represented as a standard clipboard with the numbers '123' located in the bottom right corner. You can find this icon in the Quick Access Toolbar settings, the right-click context menu, or the Paste drop-down menu on the Home tab.
