excel copy and paste errors-only object available 2

[longestdrive]

Hi all,
I'm having trouble understanding what I'm sure is a very very very basic issue that I'm just not aware of.

I have two excel workbooks open - not in the same session as the software that generates the second book starts a new instance of Excel.

I want to copy some formulas from my first workbook into the second but all it does is paste the the contents of the clipboard as text - no formulas just the results from the previous sheet. I've tried paste special but I only get the option to paste as an excel object.

I've saved both books in the same format so why can't this be done?? Any help appreciated

Thanks

 

[Hasit]

What you have described is the correct operation. If you have 2 seperate windows of Excel, copying the contents of a cell, even if determined by a formula will only paste the contents of the cell (i.e. the result of the formula).

e.g. A1 contains a formula "=1+1". The content of cell A1 will be "2". If you copy and paste that cell into another worksheet in another session, you will paste "2", not "=1+1".

To copy the formula, highlight the cell you want to copy, hit F2, and the highlight the formula, copy, and then paste into the desired location in your second worksheet.

I am sure there is a quicker way, but thats how I do it and it works a treat.

 

[xlbo]

it is because the workbooks are in different sessions of excel. Because of that, the 2nd instance is treated as a different application so the internal functionality (including copy and paste) works as if you were pasting to Word rather than to Excel

AFAIK, the only way to do what you need is to work within the same instance of excel

Rgds, Geoff

We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colours but they all live in the same box.

Please read FAQ222-2244 before you ask a question

 

[longestdrive]

Thank you for your answers - greatly appreciated.

I thought I was doing something wrong - well, I suppose I am in a way - but at least now I know what it is and can work around it.

Thanks again

Ray