Users of Excel 2016 faced a new technical issue related to the failure of the copy and paste function, after installing Microsoft's latest update bearing the code KB5002934. What is concerning is that this issue has recurred for the second consecutive time, as a similar malfunction appeared last month, indicating a flaw in the testing process of updates targeting older versions of the program.
The problem specifically appears when the workbook contains conditional formatting. It is notable that the malfunction does not appear in the form of an error message or an audible alert; rather, the function simply stops without any notification, which may cause confusion for users who might think the issue is with their devices or keyboards.
Why does this news matter?
The importance of this development lies in the repetition of the software bug in successive updates, which puts the reliability of automatic updates via Windows Update under scrutiny, especially for organizations and companies that still rely on older versions such as Excel 2016. However, the scope of impact is limited, as this problem does not include newer versions of the Office suite, but is restricted to 2016 version users only.
How to fix the problem and restore functionality
Fortunately, Microsoft responded quickly and released a new version addressing this flaw. Users can ensure the integrity of their programs by checking the version number; if the version is 16.0.5574.1006 or later, the issue has already been resolved.
The version number can be verified by following the path inside the program: File > Account > About Excel.
If the patch update has not been installed yet, the "Paste Special" method can be used as a temporary workaround to bypass the malfunction:
- From the Home tab, select the dropdown menu for Paste.
- Choose Paste Special from the menu.
- Select one of the following options: (Formulas) or (Values) or (Formulas & Number Formatting) or (Values & Number Formatting).