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

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.

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Last updated May 7, 2024 Views 264 Applies to: