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Fix PowerPoint Paste Special Not Working with Excel in Office 2019
Question details
Users are unable to use the Paste Special feature to insert Excel worksheets or linked objects into PowerPoint.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2019
- Device & OS
- Windows 10 and Windows 11
- Scenario
- Attempting to copy and paste an updating Excel chart or data range into a PowerPoint presentation as a linked object after a system or Office update.
- Observed behavior
- The Paste Special function fails to paste the linked object, disrupting workflows that rely on dynamically updating Excel data in PowerPoint slides.
Check your current Office 2019 build number, as this specific compatibility bug is tied to version 1808, build 10412.20006.
Update or Roll Back Your Office 2019 Build
The Paste Special failure is a known issue in build 10412.20006. Changing your build to a working version like 10411.20011 will fix the problem.
Microsoft releases frequent updates that can sometimes break existing OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) functionalities. By verifying your build, you can either install a newer corrective patch or revert to a stable build where Paste Special functions normally.
Open PowerPoint 2019, click on the 'File' menu, and select 'Account'. Look under the 'About PowerPoint' section to see if you are running version 1808, build 10412.20006.
Click on the 'Update Options' button next to the Office Updates section and select 'Update Now' to fetch any newer releases that patch this bug.
If no corrective update is available, you may need to use the Office Deployment Tool to roll your installation back to the stable build 10411.20011.
Use Standard Copy and Paste as a Workaround
If you cannot immediately change your Office build, use the standard paste method to move your data into PowerPoint.
Try WPS Office to Avoid Compatibility and Update Bugs
If Microsoft Office 2019 update bugs are disrupting your workflow, switch to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative where linking spreadsheet data to presentations works flawlessly without version-specific glitches.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite to your Windows PC.
- 2. Open Your Files: Open your original Excel (.xlsx) workbook in WPS Spreadsheet and your PowerPoint (.pptx) file in WPS Presentation.
- 3. Paste as Linked Object: Copy your chart in WPS Spreadsheet, navigate to your slide in WPS Presentation, click the drop-down arrow under 'Paste', and select 'Paste Special' to embed the dynamic link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does standard copy and paste work but Paste Special fails in Office 2019?
The standard copy and paste function copies static data, which doesn't require complex background processes. Paste Special, when used for linked objects, relies on OLE (Object Linking and Embedding). A specific bug in Office 2019 build 10412.20006 broke this OLE communication between Excel and PowerPoint.
How do I check my Office 2019 version and build number?
Open any Office 2019 application, such as PowerPoint or Excel. Click on 'File' in the top left corner, then select 'Account' at the bottom left. Your version and build number will be displayed on the right side under the 'About PowerPoint' or 'About Excel' section.
Will this update bug affect my previously linked Excel charts in PowerPoint?
Generally, existing linked charts will still display their current data in your presentation. However, attempting to update their data links or trying to add new linked objects using the Paste Special feature will likely fail until you apply a corrective update or roll back your build.
