7 Fixes for Unable to Copy and Paste in Microsoft Outlook
With the copy-and-paste functionalities inMicrosoft Outlook, you can seamlessly duplicate text, images, and other content within Outlook and across various applications. This not only saves time but also reduces the likelihood of errors. However, if you are unable to do all of this because Outlook won’t copy and paste anything on your Windows computer, this guide has some tips that will help.
Table of Contents
1. Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Temporary glitches with the Outlook app can sometimes prevent the copy-and-paste options in the right-click menu from working. you may try using the Ctrl + C (copy) and Ctrl + V (paste) keyboard shortcuts to check if they work properly. If they do,closing the Outlook app on your PCand reopening it should solve your problem.
2. Clear the Clipboard
If you’re unable to copy and paste anything in Outlook, even with keyboard shortcuts, there may be an issue with theWindows clipboard. If that’s the case, clearing the clipboard should restore normalcy.
1.Press theWindows key + Ito open the Settings app.
2.In theSystemtab, click onClipboard.
3.Click theClearbutton next toClear clipboard data.
3. Open Outlook in Safe Mode
One of your Outlook add-ins may be disrupting app processes and preventing you from copying and pasting content within Outlook. To check for this possibility, try opening Outlook in safe mode. Close the Outlook app, then press and hold theCtrlkey and double-click the Outlook shortcut.
Once Outlook opens in safe mode, test the copy and paste functionalities. If you don’t encounter any problems, you can consider disabling all the add-ins and re-enabling them one at a time. This should help you determine which add-in is causing the issue.
1.In the Outlook app, click theFilemenu at the top.
2.SelectOptionsfrom the left pane.
3.Switch to theAdd-instab and click theGobutton next toCOM Add-ins.
4.Uncheck the boxes to disable add-ins and clickOK.
Restart the Outlook app after this and enable your add-ins one at a time until the problem occurs again. Once you find the problematic add-in, consider removing it.
4. Run the Office Repair Tool
Microsoft includes a handy repair tool on both Windows 10 and 11 forfixing issues with Office appslike Outlook. You can try running this tool to see if it restores your ability to copy and paste in Outlook.
1.Press theWindows key + Rto open the Run dialog box. Typeappwiz.cplin the box and pressEnter.
2.In the Programs and Features window, select the Microsoft Office suite on the list and click theChangebutton at the top.
3.Select theOnline Repairoption and clickRepair.
5. Enable Clipboard Access for Outlook (for Web)
Are you unable to copy and paste text, pictures, and attachments in Outlook for the web? If so, you need to ensure that Outlook has the necessary permission to access your clipboard. Here’s how to check.
1.Open Outlook in your web browser. Click thepadlock iconon the left of the website URL and selectPermissions for this site(Edge) orSite settings(Chrome).
2.In the new tab that opens, click the drop-down menu next toClipboardto selectAllow.
Return to the Outlook tab and refresh it. After that, check if the issue is still there.
6. Turn Off Keyboard Shortcuts (for Web)
Several users on aMicrosoft community postreported fixing this particular issue by temporarily turning off keyboard shortcuts in Outlook for the web. you’re able to also give this a try.
1.Open Outlook in your browser and click thegear iconin the top right corner.
2.Head toGeneral > Accessibilityand select theTurn off keyboard shortcutsoption. Then, clickSave.
7. Clear Browsing Data (for Web)
If you still can’t copy and paste in Outlook for the web, the existing browser cache may be corrupted. You can try getting rid of this data to see if that helps.
If you are using Chrome or Edge, pressCtrl + Shift + Deleteon your keyboard to open the Clear browsing data panel. SelectAll timein theTime Rangeoption. Mark the box that readsCached images and filesand hit theClear nowbutton.
No More Copy-Paste Holdups
Outlook’s copy-and-paste functionalities help enhance your productivity and streamline email creation and editing tasks. Hence, it can be inconvenient when you are unable to copy and paste anything in Outlook. We hope that applying the tips above has helped you resolve the underlying issue, and that you can resume work.
Pankil Shah
Pankil is a Civil Engineer by profession who started his journey as a writer back in 2016. He joined TechWiser in March 2021 as a freelance writer to cover buying guides, explainers, and tips & tricks for Android, iOS, Windows, and Web.
