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Does Ctrl+V Paste Values in Excel? Shortcut Explained
Question details
The user wants to know if Ctrl+V is the shortcut for pasting values and how to clarify the confusion between standard paste and paste values keyboard commands.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Pasting copied data into a spreadsheet without bringing over the original formatting.
- Observed behavior
- Pressing Ctrl+V performs a standard paste, which includes unwanted formatting, instead of pasting values only.
Ensure you have already copied your source data to the clipboard using Ctrl+C before attempting any paste shortcuts.
Use Dedicated Keyboard Shortcuts to Paste Values
Since Ctrl+V performs a standard paste, you must use alternative keyboard shortcuts or ribbon sequences to paste only the values.
In Excel, Ctrl+V is permanently assigned to the standard Paste command. This means it will always paste both the data and its formatting. To achieve a "Paste Values" result, you need to use specific shortcut sequences.
Select the cells containing the data you want to duplicate and press Ctrl+C on your keyboard.
Select the destination cell. If you are using a newer version of Excel or the web version, press Ctrl+Shift+V to paste the values directly without formatting.
If Ctrl+Shift+V is not supported, select your destination cell and press Alt+H to activate the Home tab, press V to open the Paste drop-down, and press V again to select Paste Values.
Use the Right-Click Context Menu
A quick and visual mouse alternative when keyboard shortcuts are hard to remember.
How to Paste Values Easily in WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Office provides intuitive and highly compatible shortcuts to manage your data without messing up formatting. It works just like the software you are already used to.
- 1. Copy your data: Select your target cells and press Ctrl+C to copy the data to your clipboard.
- 2. Select the destination: Click on the cell in your WPS Spreadsheet where you want the data to be pasted.
- 3. Paste values using a shortcut: Press Ctrl+Shift+V to instantly paste the values without any source formatting.
- 4. Alternative mouse method: You can also right-click the destination cell and click the '123' icon under Paste Options to achieve the same result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Ctrl+V paste the formatting too?
Ctrl+V triggers the standard paste command by default. This command is designed to replicate everything from the copied cells, which includes the raw data, formulas, and all formatting (such as colors, fonts, and borders).
Can I change the default behavior of Ctrl+V to paste values only?
In standard Excel, you cannot natively remap the Ctrl+V shortcut to default to Paste Values. However, you can add the Paste Values command to your Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) to create an Alt+Number shortcut (e.g., Alt+1).
What does the Alt+E, S, V shortcut do?
Alt+E followed by S and V is a legacy Excel shortcut. It opens the Paste Special dialog box (Alt+E, S) and selects the 'Values' option (V). Pressing Enter afterward will execute the paste without formatting.
