Dialogs and Paste Special shortcuts
Paste values shortcut in Excel
The keys
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Open Paste SpecialCopy first. In the Windows dialog, press V then Enter to paste values only. | Ctrl+Alt+V | Command+Control+V or Control+Option+V or Command+Option+V |
| Paste Special: values only, not formulas | V | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
| Paste Special: values and number formats | U | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
Checked against Microsoft's official lists on . Where Microsoft lists a key for one platform only, the other column says so instead of guessing.
What "paste values" does
A normal paste brings the formula, its format and its borders. Paste values brings only what the cell shows, as a typed value. Use it to freeze formula results before you send a file, to stop a lookup from breaking when its source sheet goes away, or to turn a column of =A2&" "&B2 results into plain text you can sort and edit.
In the Windows Paste Special dialog each option has a letter. V is values, U is values and number formats (so dates stay dates), T is formats only and W is column widths only.
Other ways to paste values
- Right-click the destination and choose the Values icon (the clipboard with 123) under Paste Options.
- Home > Paste > Paste Values. This is also the way in Excel for the web.
- After a normal paste, press Ctrl to open the Paste Options button, then V for values. On Windows this works while the small button is still showing.
- On Windows, put Paste Values on the Quick Access Toolbar; it then has its own Alt-number shortcut.
When it does not work
- Nothing pastes: the copy was lost. Excel clears the copy when you type in a cell or press Esc, so copy again and go straight to the destination.
- Values only is greyed out: you copied from another app, such as a web page. Excel then shows text options instead; choose Text or Unicode Text to drop the formatting.
- Dates turn into numbers like 46331: you pasted values without number formats. Use U (values and number formats) instead of V, or format the cells as dates afterwards.
- The result is still a formula: you pressed Ctrl+V out of habit. Undo with Ctrl+Z and use the Paste Special route.
Why a shortcut sometimes does nothing
You are still editing a cell
While a cell is in edit mode, most commands are greyed out and many shortcuts type into the cell instead. Press Enter to finish the entry or Esc to cancel it, then try again.
Excel for the web: the browser takes some keys
In a browser, a few keys belong to the browser first: F1 opens the browser's help, Ctrl+O opens a file, Ctrl+W closes the tab, and F6 moves around the browser. Excel for the web uses Ctrl+F6 instead of F6, Ctrl+Alt+Page Down for the next sheet in Chrome, and Alt+Windows key with a letter for ribbon tabs. To get desktop behavior back, go to Help > Keyboard Shortcuts and select Override browser shortcuts. If the file opened in Viewing mode, editing shortcuts do nothing until you switch to Editing.
Related shortcuts
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Copy the selection | Ctrl+C | Command+C or Control+C |
| Paste | Ctrl+V | Command+V or Control+V |
| Paste Special: formatting only | T | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
| Paste Special: column widths only | W | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
FAQ
What is the shortcut to paste values in Excel?
On Windows, Ctrl+Alt+V, then V, then Enter. On a Mac, Cmd+Ctrl+V or Ctrl+Option+V opens Paste Special; choose Values and press Return.
Is there a one-key paste values shortcut?
Not built in. On Windows you can add Paste Values to the Quick Access Toolbar and use Alt with its position number, or record a macro with its own Ctrl+letter.
How do I paste values and keep the formatting of numbers?
In the Windows Paste Special dialog press U instead of V: values and number formats. Dates and percentages then keep their look.
How do I paste values in Excel for the web?
Copy, select the destination, then Home > Paste > Paste Values. Microsoft does not list a separate paste values key for Excel for the web.
Related guides
- How to combine first and last name in ExcelType =A2&" "&B2 where A2 holds the first name and B2 the last name, then fill the formula down.
- How to convert numbers stored as text in ExcelSelect the cells, click the yellow warning icon that appears, and choose Convert to Number.
- How to transpose rows to columns in ExcelCopy the range, right-click the destination and choose Paste Special > Transpose.
In the glossary: Paste Special
All dialogs and paste special shortcutsAll Excel shortcutsPrintable sheet