Paste Special · original practice scenario
Paste evaluated cell values without their formulas
In a spare workbook, put 7 in B2 and =B2*3 in C2. Apply distinctive formatting to C2 and copy that cell. Select empty E2.
Start here: Windows desktop Microsoft 365 supporting direct Paste Values, or the separately sourced Mac menu workflow
This case copies an Excel cell, not external rich text. Direct paste support is version-dependent; use Paste Special > Values if unsupported.
Follow these instructions in your own desktop Excel workbook. This page explains the operation; it does not send commands to Excel.
Mac menu and context
The publisher warns that the listed Mac Cmd+Shift+V may open Paste Special instead. No default Mac key is claimed or configured; the Mac panel offers a Microsoft-documented menu method.
This operation uses a documented menu workflow. No keyboard combination is certified here; key recall is unavailable.
Paste menu options / Paste Values. Microsoft menu instructions ↗
Walk through the operation
- Copy C2 with its current result 21, then select E2 outside edit mode.
- On Home, open the Paste menu and choose Paste Values; inspect E2 and its formula bar.
- Change B2 from 7 to 9 and verify C2 recalculates to 27 while E2 remains 21.
Instruction 1 of 3: Copy C2 with its current result 21, then select E2 outside edit mode.
Expected result: C2 becomes 27 after the edit, while E2 remains the constant 21 with no copied formula.
More shortcuts
Browse all shortcut references →Catalog updated 2026-10-18. US keyboard notation: + joins held keys; commas separate successive presses. Function keys may require Fn. Desktop instructions are separate from this browser's own keyboard shortcuts.