Internal error while using Excel add-in copyFrom

Question

The following error occurred while copying a short row of coloured empty cells from Q31:AB31 to Y1:AJ1 on a different worksheet. The cells did not contain any data and appear to have been copied successfully before the error occurred.

{

"stack": "RichApi.Error: There was an internal error while processing the request.
    at new n (https://appsforoffice.microsoft.com/lib/1/hosted/excel-win32-16.01.js:25:263692)
    at i.processRequestExecutorResponseMessage (https://appsforoffice.microsoft.com/lib/1/hosted/excel-win32-16.01.js:25:328139)
    at https://appsforoffice.microsoft.com/lib/1/hosted/excel-win32-16.01.js:25:326202",

"message": "There was an internal error while processing the request.",

"name": "RichApi.Error",

"code": "GeneralException",

"traceMessages": [],

"innerError": null,

"debugInfo": {

    "code": "GeneralException",

    "message": "There was an internal error while processing the request.",

    "errorLocation": "Range.copyFrom",

    "statement": "v.copyFrom(...);",

    "surroundingStatements": [

        "var v = context.workbook._getObjectByReferenceId(\"R!{C3ED0AEE-B155-4A0E-9B96-99DCED9B2E04}!{635BF0CD-42CC-4174-B8D2-6D375C9A759E}\") /* originally getRange(...) */;",

        "var v1 = context.workbook._getObjectByReferenceId(\"R!{29633ADB-7817-4480-8B4B-F1B0FDF21205}!{635BF0CD-42CC-4174-B8D2-6D375C9A759E}\") /* originally getRange(...) */;",

        "// >>>>>",

        "v.copyFrom(...);",

        "// <<<<<"

    ],

    "fullStatements": [

        "var v = context.workbook._getObjectByReferenceId(\"R!{C3ED0AEE-B155-4A0E-9B96-99DCED9B2E04}!{635BF0CD-42CC-4174-B8D2-6D375C9A759E}\") /* originally getRange(\"\") */;",

        "var v1 = context.workbook._getObjectByReferenceId(\"R!{29633ADB-7817-4480-8B4B-F1B0FDF21205}!{635BF0CD-42CC-4174-B8D2-6D375C9A759E}\") /* originally getRange(\"Q31:AB31\") */;",

        "v.copyFrom(v1, undefined, undefined, undefined);"

    ]

},

"httpStatusCode": 500
```}

Accepted Answer

The error message indicates an internal issue within Excel while processing your copy request. Here are some steps you can try to troubleshoot:

1. Try Copying Manually:

Switch to the worksheet containing the source range (Q31:AB31).
Select the range (Q31:AB31).
Go to the destination worksheet (where you want the copied cells).
Right-click on cell Y1 (or any cell in the destination range Y1:AJ1).
Choose "Paste Special" from the right-click menu.
In the "Paste Special" dialog box, select "Formats" (to copy only cell formatting) or "All" (to copy both values and formatting).
Click "OK" to paste the copied cells.

2. Restart Excel:

Sometimes a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches. Close Excel completely and then reopen it. Try copying the cells again.

3. Check for Add-in Conflicts:

If you have any add-ins installed in Excel, disable them temporarily and see if the copy operation works without them. This can help identify if an add-in is causing the conflict.

4. Repair Excel:

Microsoft Office provides a repair tool to fix installation issues. Here's how to access it:

Close Excel.
Go to your Control Panel or Settings app (depending on your Windows version).
Search for "Programs and Features" or "Apps & features."
Locate Microsoft Office in the list of installed programs.
Click "Change" (or "Modify" depending on your view).
Choose "Online Repair" and click "Repair." This will take some time to complete.
Once the repair is finished, launch Excel and try copying again.

5. Report the Issue:

If none of the above solutions work, you can report the issue to Microsoft. You can use the built-in feedback mechanism in Excel or search online for official support channels.

Additional Tips:

Make sure the destination range (Y1:AJ1) has enough empty cells to accommodate the copied range (Q31:AB31).
Verify that you have permission to edit both worksheets involved in the copy operation.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the internal error and successfully copy the colored empty cells to the desired location.The error message indicates an internal issue within Excel while processing your copy request. Here are some steps you can try to troubleshoot: