Error when copying data from Excel web app into Excel 2013

Question

I tried to copy data from the Excel Web App to my desktop Excel 2013. It wasn't a lot of data - 3 columns (of which 2 were mostly blank) x 140 rows. On pasting into Excel, the cell displayed the message, "Retrieving data. Wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again."

Waiting and then pressing Ctrl-V produced the same result. I tried using Paste Special > Text, but that didn't work either. Any thoughts on a possible solution? Thanks.

Answer 1

I found a work around that may work for you. Select [File] [Save As] and then [Download a Copy]. Save to you computer and open with a Desktop version of Excel so you can cut and paste freely.

Answer 2

Sorry, this is not a work-around; this is simply using Excel desktop version the same old way we used to.

If I have to do that, there is absolutely no benefit to using Office 360 / Excel Web App online.

Answer 3

Thanks, Dominic. This totally worked! Downloading the file kept all the original data and formatting.

Answer 4

I have this issue intermittently (randomly, without any pattern).

It's very annoying!

It's especially annoying to find out by seeing the error message appear aftertrying to paste (as opposed to seeing the error when I try to copy in the first place).

If I can't find a solution, this is going to be a show-stopper for me & Office online.

I'm on a corporate network, so I'm wondering if it might have to do with the persistence of a connection/session?

Perhaps simply refreshing the browser should fix it?

I'll try next time it happens...

Answer 5

I have had this same issue.

The only way i have found to get around this is to go back to the source document, un-select everything, then re-highlight the section and copy again.

Cheers