Excel - "cannot empty the clipboard"

Question

I get this error every time I move in Excel, I've read the posted solutions and still no joy, is there anything new?  Tony

Answer 1

First see if it happens in Safe Mode.  Hold down the Ctrl key while launching Excel.

a) If it doesn't happen then the problem is caused by some add-in or a workbook that is loaded on startup.  Disable all add-ins ( File > Options > Add-Ins ). 

Move any files from your XLSTART folders (see below for how to find them).

 You can then add things you need back in one at a time, restarting Excel and so discover which is causing the problem.

b) If it still happens in Safe Mode, try doing a repair from Control Panel > Programs and Features > Microsoft Office.

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Files in XLSTART folders:

There are 3 possible XLSTART folders to look in.

You can check them by opening Excel, Alt+F11 to the visual basic editor, Insert > Module, paste in the following code and run the ShowXLSTARTFiles macro by putting the cursor in it and pressing F5:

Sub ShowXLSTARTFiles()

  ShowFiles Application.StartupPath

  If Application.AltStartupPath <> "" Then ShowFiles Application.AltStartupPath

  ShowFiles Application.Path & "\XLSTART"

  Debug.Print "Done"

End Sub

Sub ShowFiles(Path As String)

  Dim stFile As String

  stFile = Dir(Path & "\*.*")

  Do Until stFile = ""

    Debug.Print Path & "" & stFile

    stFile = Dir()

  Loop

End Sub

In the immediate window (Ctrl+G if it isn't visible) you will see listed any files in any of the 3 folders.If there are none it will just show "Done"