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Fix for "Clipboard Error. We couldn't copy the content of the clipboard"

Anonymous
2024-04-29T02:20:04+00:00

There have been many posts on how to fix the message Clipboard Error. We couldn't copy the content to the clipboard because its in use by another application.

I tried many of the suggestions:

  • Turn off live preview
  • Clear the clipboard
  • Reboot
  • Repair Excel
  • Add special folders to the Windows directory.
  • Issue the command prompt 'Echo Off | clip
  • Use the statement "Application.CutCopyMode = False after doing a copy and before closing a file
  • Copying one cell before closing a file
  • Removing com add-ins
  • Closing all other applications
  • And a score of others

None worked. I have a test macro that works for several minutes and does many copy/paste, graphics, formatting, etc. It would display the clipboard error at least once every 2 or 3 executions, and often every execution. I used it to test all the posted cures.

What I finally realized is that the application that was using the clipboard and causing the error was Excel itself. Excel was basically not able to keep up with the command to clear the clipboard.

The cure then became simple. Slow excel down by using the statement "DoEvents" right after I issued the command "Application.CutCopyMode = False". And to put the Application.CutCopyMode = False after I was finished with any copy that I did and right before any workbook close command. I've run my macro 10 times and no clipboard error message appears.

Please give it a try.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-07-01T04:39:39+00:00

    So found out it's Logi Options+. Someone mentioned it on Reddit, and out of frustration I gave it a try. They said to uninstall the entire application, but I don't have admin rights, so I just Ended Tasks in the Task Manager, for everything but the Logi Options+ Updater, since that requires Admin Rights. Problem went away. 😯

    When I came back after my screensaver kicked in, it happened again. I checked and the other two Logi Options+ apps were open. Ended them and problem went away. Just now, screensaver kicked in, problem in Excel keeps happening after I log in. I checked and Logi Options+ Agent was the only one that came back. It also seems Logi Options+ Updater doesn't cause an issue, but the other two do.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-07-30T15:54:47+00:00

    I have exactly the same problem - the Logi Options+ Agent is the cause of the Excel clipboard error. I already tried uninstalling the app, the problem went away, but I still decided to install the Logi Options+ back, because otherwise my MX Anywhere 3S is useless. Such a shame that a stupid SW problem makes me regret buying the mouse. I read somewhere the older Logi Options does not have this issue, but is not compatible with my mouse. Those with older devices can try switching to this app. If anyone finds a fix other than uninstalling the whole LO+, please let me know!

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-10-23T17:07:43+00:00

    I would love to hear a solution that does not involve macros or Logitech because those are not the cause of this issue. I have Office 365 on Windows 11 and OneDrive. The problem is caused by Microsoft. It happens when I manually copy in a spreadsheet with no macros (as well as in macros). To be clear, it happens in EVERY spreadsheet. For example, it has happened over and over today. For example, since booting my computer this morning, I have used only one spreadsheet that has never had a macro and I have had this error happen dozens of times. I have no Logitech products. It occurs in Word sometimes too, but I don't use Word as much. When you search the internet, as the OP mentioned, it's full of people trying unsuccessfully to solve this.

    I have found that Microsoft does it's stupid Office 365 / OneDrive BS constantly as another user. I know that because of the many errors that another user has updated documents on OneDrive when I'm the only user (my wife and I share documents as the same user but different computers since that's the only way OneDrive works at home). And MS's incompetent programmers decided that that other user should massively use the real user's (my) clipboard and lock it when it's using it.

    Until MS decides to address that issue and find some people to program these products who have an ounce of talent, this issue is unsolvable.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-06-03T04:07:40+00:00

    I'm very unfamiliar with the command / programming what so ever. So, my question is where can I find this and which command box / menu should I set up the correction that you mentioned below ?

    Slow excel down by using the statement "DoEvents" right after I issued the command "Application.CutCopyMode = False".

    Thank you

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-12-29T06:34:18+00:00

    I don't have any logitech programs installed and I have the issue. Microsoft should fix the Windows clipboard issue, its their buggy software to blame.

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