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How to Replace Excel Formulas with Values Using Paste Special in WPS Office Spreadsheets

Nimra Malik Nov 13, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to replace Excel formulas with their calculated values while preserving cell formatting and avoiding Paste Special issues such as the Unicode Text dialog or no action when the clipboard is empty.

Product: WPS Office Spreadsheets (Excel-compatible)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The user is editing a spreadsheet that contains formulas and wants to convert the formula results into static values without losing the existing formatting.
Observed behavior: Excel Paste Special may show a Unicode Text dialog or appear to do nothing when no content has been copied; formulas remain instead of being replaced by calculated values.

Before you start

Make sure the cells containing formulas are selected and the worksheet is not protected. If the formula is an array formula, select the entire array range before copying; otherwise only part of the result may be converted.

Solution 1Recommended

Replace formulas with calculated values using Paste Special in WPS Spreadsheets

Use this method when you want to keep the current cell formatting and convert formula results into static values.

Paste Special gives you separate options for values, formulas, and formatting. Choosing Values Only replaces the formula with its displayed result, while Values and Source Formatting also reapplies the source formatting so the cells continue to look the same.

Select the formula cells

Open the workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheets and select the cell or range that contains the formulas you want to replace.

Copy the selected range

On the Home tab, click Copy, or press Ctrl+C, so the selected formulas are copied to the clipboard.

Choose Paste Special and select a values option

With the same range selected, click the Paste drop-down arrow on the Home tab, choose Paste Special, then select Values Only or Values and Source Formatting depending on whether you also need to retain source formatting.

Formulas replaced: The selected cells now contain static calculated values, and the existing formatting remains unchanged.

Solution 2

Replace an array formula by selecting the full array range

Use this method when the formula is an array formula and a normal paste values action affects only part of the range or produces an error.

Use WPS Office Spreadsheets

Replace formulas with values in WPS Office Spreadsheets

WPS Office Spreadsheets lets you replace Excel formulas with calculated values through Paste Special while keeping formatting intact and avoiding clipboard-related paste problems.

1. Open your Excel workbook: Launch WPS Office Spreadsheets and open the Excel workbook that contains the formulas you want to convert.
2. Select the formula cells: Select the cell or range where the formulas should be replaced with calculated values.
3. Copy the selection: Click Copy on the Home tab, or press Ctrl+C, to copy the selected formulas.
4. Apply Paste Special: Click the Paste drop-down arrow on the Home tab and choose Values Only or Values and Source Formatting.
5. Verify the result: Confirm that the selected cells now show static values and that the formatting remains as expected.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel Paste Special show a Unicode Text dialog?

This usually happens when the clipboard is empty or the copied content is not recognized. Copy the formula cells first, then open Paste Special or the Paste Options menu and choose a values option.

How do I preserve formatting when replacing formulas with values?

Use Paste Special and choose Values and Source Formatting. If the formatting is already applied and should not change, choosing Values Only keeps the existing cell formatting.

What should I do if only part of an array formula is replaced?

Select the entire array range before copying, then paste values over the full range so the whole array formula result is converted to static values.

Can I convert formulas to values without changing cell formatting in WPS Spreadsheets?

Yes. Copy the range, click the Paste drop-down arrow on the Home tab, and select Values Only or Values and Source Formatting depending on the formatting result you need.

Does WPS Office support Excel Paste Special options?

Yes. WPS Office Spreadsheets includes Paste Special, Paste Values, and Source Formatting options and works with Microsoft Excel .xlsx workbooks.

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