Copy, cut, paste and Paste Special (values only)

In this lesson

1. 1. Copy and paste

   Feb costs are the same as Jan. Copy them instead of typing again.

   Copy keeps the original. Paste puts a copy in the new place.

2. 2. Cut and paste

   Cut moves data. The old cell becomes empty.

3. 3. Paste only the value

   B5 has a formula. It adds up the Jan costs.

   Sometimes you want only the result, not the formula. Use Paste Special and choose Values.

   In Excel, press Ctrl+Alt+V (Mac: Cmd+Ctrl+V), choose Values and click OK.

   (In this browser, use the mouse instead. The shortcut works in Excel.)

4. 4. See the difference

   The rent goes up. Watch what happens to B5 and B8.

5. 5. Values do not change

   B5 changed, because its formula uses B2.

   B8 holds a plain value. It stays the same.

6. 6. Try it yourself

   Save the Feb total as a plain value too.

Part of Excel Essentials. Short lessons with practice in a real spreadsheet, checked as you go.