Microsoft confirmed the problem after users reported failures across several support platforms. The affected functions included copying and pasting, autofill and dragging formulas between cells.
The issue affected Excel 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024. It also disrupted Excel Online within Office Online Server environments.
When users tried to paste content, Excel kept the original source selected. Meanwhile, the destination cell remained unchanged.
Excel did not display an error message or play an alert sound. Therefore, some users might not have noticed that the paste operation had failed.
Reports linked the problem to Microsoft’s September 2026 security updates, including KB5002914.
Microsoft Releases Updates for Affected Office Versions
Microsoft has now issued fixes for each affected Office release. However, users must manually download and install the relevant update.
Office 2016 users need update KB5002665. Microsoft also released new builds for the three Office LTSC editions:
- Office LTSC 2019: Build 10417.20208
- Office LTSC 2021: Build 14334.20918
- Office LTSC 2024: Build 17932.21000
Installing the correct update should restore the affected copy-and-paste functions. Users should check their Office version before selecting a package.
Conditional Formatting Can Still Cause Problems
Despite the wider fix, Microsoft identified one remaining issue. Paste operations may still fail in Office 2016 and Office LTSC 2019 when a workbook uses conditional formatting.
Microsoft has not yet released a permanent solution for this specific scenario. In the meantime, the company recommends using Paste Special as a temporary workaround.
Users can open the Home tab and select Paste Special from the Paste menu. Alternatively, they can press Ctrl+Alt+V.
The tool allows users to choose several paste options. These include formulas, values, number formats and links.
Microsoft Resolves Other Recent Office Bugs
The Excel copy paste failure follows several other Office problems that Microsoft addressed during 2026.
In June, the company fixed an issue that stopped some Windows 365 users from downloading the Office suite. Microsoft also resolved a separate problem that prevented Office for the web users from opening Excel and PowerPoint files.
Then, in July, Microsoft corrected a Windows issue involving third-party applications. The bug prevented those apps from launching Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access or opening Office documents.
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