Mastering Shortcuts for Excel 2016: Using Paste Special

When working with Microsoft Excel, you may have encountered situations where you need to copy and paste data, but only want to retain specific elements of the original content. For instance, you might want to copy a cell's value without its formatting or vice versa. In this article, we will explore the various ways to access the Paste Special feature in Excel 2016.

'Shortcuts for Excel 2016'

To begin with, there are two primary methods to access the Excel Paste Special feature: using keyboard shortcuts and the Ribbon. The first method involves using the Alt + E + S + V key combination to open the Paste Special Dialogue box. This shortcut is particularly useful when you need to quickly access the feature.

Alternatively, you can use the Ribbon to navigate to Home > Clipboard > Paste > Paste Special. Once you copy a cell or range of cells, this option will appear in the Paste dropdown menu.

Once you've copied the desired cells, there are three primary ways to access the Excel Paste Special features:

1. Using Keyboard Shortcut: Press Alt + E + S + V to open the Excel Paste Special Dialogue box.

2. Using the Ribbon: Navigate to Home > Clipboard > Paste > Paste Special.

3. Using the Context Menu: Right-click on a cell and select Paste Special from the context menu.

When you copy a cell in Excel, it not only captures the content but also the formatting, such as background color, font color, and borders. However, what if you want to copy only the cell contents without the formatting or vice versa? This is where the Paste Special feature comes into play.

The Excel Paste Special Dialogue box provides three primary options:

1. All: Pastes both values and formatting.

2. Values: Copies only the cell contents without formatting.

3. Formatting: Copies only the formatting of the original cell.

4. Formulas: Copies the formula within the cell, while retaining its original formatting.

By mastering these shortcuts for Excel 2016, you can efficiently work with your data, ensuring that you retain only the elements you need. Whether you're working with formulas, formatting, or plain text, the Paste Special feature is an essential tool in your Excel toolkit.

Shortcuts for excel 2016