Microsoft Excel users report that the KB5002914 security update has broken copy-and-paste functions and formula dragging. According to affected users, removing the update or returning to an earlier Office build restores normal behavior.
Microsoft released the patch during its September 2026 Patch Tuesday. Reports about the problem then appeared on Reddit and Microsoft’s Q&A forums.
However, the issue does not appear to affect every installation. Tests conducted with one Excel 2019 build could not reproduce the reported failures.
Copy and Paste Stops Working After Update
Users began reporting problems shortly after installing the Excel KB5002914 update. Common symptoms include failed copy-and-paste commands and an unresponsive autofill function.
Consequently, users cannot copy cell contents or drag formulas into nearby cells. These are core Excel functions, so the bug can seriously disrupt everyday work.
One person said the issue blocked an entire team after most employees installed the update. Others reported that both keyboard shortcuts and formula dragging stopped responding.
Similar complaints appeared on Microsoft’s Q&A platform after the September 9 update. In each case, users linked the problem to the newly installed security patch.
Several Office Versions May Be Affected
Reports suggest that the issue is not limited to one Office version. For example, one user encountered the bug on Office LTSC Standard 2021.
Other reports claim that Office releases from 2016 through 2024 may experience the problem. Furthermore, users have reported failures with both MSI and Click-to-Run installations.
Still, the bug may only occur under certain configurations. BleepingComputer tested Excel 2019 Version 2508, Build 19127.20302, through Click-to-Run but could not reproduce it.
Therefore, the exact trigger remains unclear. It may depend on the Office build, installation type, language package or another system-specific factor.
Removing KB5002914 Restores Excel Functions
Affected users say uninstalling KB5002914 from MSI-based Office installations restores copy and paste. Formula dragging also begins working again after the patch is removed.
One Microsoft Q&A user shared a PowerShell command that removed the update from their system. According to that user, copy-and-paste functions returned immediately afterward.
Click-to-Run users cannot necessarily remove the update through the same process. Instead, one user reported success after downgrading Office to an earlier build through XML configuration or Group Policy.
Another community workaround involves keeping KB5002914 installed while replacing the updated Excel executable with an older copy. However, modifying individual program files could cause compatibility or security problems.
Users should also remember that KB5002914 is a security update. Removing it or returning to an older build may reopen vulnerabilities that the patch was designed to fix.
Microsoft Has Not Confirmed the Bug
Microsoft had not publicly confirmed the reported Excel problem at the time of the report. Therefore, there is no official fix or approved workaround yet.
The number of affected users also remains unknown. Although reports cover several Office editions, many systems may continue to work normally after installing the update.
Organizations should test any rollback carefully before deploying it across multiple devices. IT teams should also record affected Office versions, installation methods and language settings.
Those details could help determine why the Excel KB5002914 update breaks essential functions on some systems but not others.
Until Microsoft provides further guidance, affected users must choose between restoring Excel functionality and keeping the latest security update installed.
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