Excel Paste Values Shortcut

If you’re working in spreadsheets regularly, knowing the Excel Paste Values shortcut can save you time and headaches. Pasting values allows you to remove formulas and transfer only the final result of a calculation or data entry. Whether you’re using Excel on Windows, macOS, or LibreOffice Calc on Ubuntu, this shortcut is a must-know productivity booster.

📋 What Does “Paste Values” Do in Excel?

When you copy a formula cell and use the regular paste (Ctrl + V or Cmd + V), Excel also pastes the formula and formatting. But sometimes, you just want the result — no formulas, no formatting, just raw values.

Paste Values allows you to:

Paste only the calculated result of a formula
Remove cell links and formulas
Clean up formatting
Transfer data without errors

⚡ Excel Paste Values Shortcut on Different Systems

System	Paste Values Shortcut
Windows	`Ctrl + C`, then `Alt + E`, `S`, `V`, then `Enter`
macOS	`Cmd + C`, then `Cmd + Ctrl + V`, then `V`, then `Return`
Ubuntu (Calc)	`Ctrl + C`, then `Ctrl + Shift + V`, choose “Values”

Let’s break these down:

🪟 Windows Excel – Paste Values

Copy the cell:
Ctrl + C
Press this sequence:
Alt + E, then S, then V
Confirm with:
Enter

✅ This is the fastest way to paste values without using the mouse. It works in all modern versions of Excel.

🍏 macOS Excel – Paste Values

Copy the desired cell:
Cmd + C
Use this shortcut:
Cmd + Ctrl + V to bring up Paste Special
Press V for Values
Press Return

✅ On Mac, you may need to enable full keyboard access under System Preferences > Keyboard for some shortcuts to work reliably.

🐧 Ubuntu LibreOffice Calc – Paste Values

LibreOffice Calc uses a slightly different method:

Select the cell and copy:
Ctrl + C
Paste with values only:
Ctrl + Shift + V
In the pop-up, select “Unformatted Text” or “Values only”
Press Enter

✅ This avoids transferring any formulas or cell styles.

🧠 Why Use Paste Values in Excel?

Prevent accidental formula recalculation
Clean up copied reports for sharing
Simplify datasets before importing/exporting
Maintain original appearance while stripping formulas

🧩 Use Case Example

Imagine you have this formula in cell A1:

=SUM(B1:B5)

The result is 150. You want to paste just 150, not the formula.

Copy A1: Ctrl + C
Select destination cell
Use Paste Values shortcut
- Windows: Alt + E > S > V > Enter
- Mac: Cmd + Ctrl + V > V > Return
- Ubuntu: Ctrl + Shift + V > Values Only > Enter

✅ Now your cell only contains the number 150 — no formulas!

⌨️ Additional Keyboard Shortcuts

Task	Windows	macOS	Ubuntu
Copy cell	Ctrl + C	Cmd + C	Ctrl + C
Paste values	Alt + E S V Enter	Cmd + Ctrl + V, V	Ctrl + Shift + V
Open Paste Special	Ctrl + Alt + V	Cmd + Ctrl + V	Ctrl + Shift + V

🧰 Pro Tips for Paste Values

Add “Paste Values” to your Quick Access Toolbar for even faster access with Alt keys.
Assign a custom macro to a keyboard shortcut if you use it often.
Use Paste Values and Number Formats to retain numerical formatting (currency, percentage).

❓ FAQ – Excel Paste Values Shortcut

Can I paste values into multiple cells?
Yes, select a range to match the copied cells and use the Paste Values shortcut.

Does Paste Values work with filtered data?
Yes. Excel pastes only into visible cells when used properly.

What if I want to paste only text?
In the Paste Special dialog, choose “Values” — it works for numbers and text alike.

Can I use right-click to paste values?
Yes. Right-click > Paste Special > Values is available in all versions.

✅ Conclusion

Knowing the Excel Paste Values shortcut is a game-changer for productivity. Instead of copying unwanted formulas or formatting, you get clean, reliable data every time. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu, mastering this shortcut will save you clicks, time, and headaches.

Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.

https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/

Advertisment