Excel is a fantastic tool for managing data, but copying and pasting can sometimes be a real hassle. Fortunately, there are many tips and tricks you can use to simplify the process and make it more efficient. One common issue that people face is copying formulae, numbers, or tables without altering the original data. In this article, we will look at some handy techniques for copying and pasting data without any unwanted changes.
1. How to copy and paste VLOOKUP formulae in Excel?
VLOOKUP is a popular lookup function in Excel that finds a match for a specified value in a table, and returns a corresponding value in the same row. However, when you copy and paste a VLOOKUP formula, you may find that the cell references get automatically changed, causing the formula to return incorrect results. To avoid this, follow these steps:
- Select the cell containing the VLOOKUP formula you want to copy.
- Press F2 to enter the edit mode.
- Select the cell reference you want to keep constant, for example, the lookup value cell reference.
- Press F4 to add dollar signs before both the row and column references. This will make the cell reference absolute, so it won’t change when you copy and paste the formula elsewhere.
- Press Enter to exit edit mode.
- Select the cell containing the VLOOKUP formula, and press Ctrl+C to copy it.
- Select the destination cell where you want to paste the formula.
- Press Ctrl+V to paste the formula.
Now you’ll have a copied VLOOKUP formula that points to the correct cells with constant references.
2. How to copy and paste text from a protected PDF document?
PDF documents can be protected with various security features that prevent users from copying, editing, or printing their contents. If you need to copy text from a protected PDF document, you may find that the text is unselectable or that the copy-paste feature is disabled. In this case, you can use a third-party tool such as Free PDF Unlocker to remove the protections and make the text copyable. Here’s how:
- Download and install the Free PDF Unlocker program from its official website.
- Open the program and click on the “Add file(s)” button to select the protected PDF document.
- Click on the “Unlock” button to remove the protections. This may take some time depending on the size and complexity of the file.
- Once the PDF document is unlocked, open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader or another PDF viewer of your choice.
- Select and copy the desired text as you normally would.
- If necessary, re-lock the PDF document with a password or other security features to prevent unauthorized access.
Keep in mind that removing the protections from a PDF document may violate its copyright or usage terms, so use this method only for lawful and ethical purposes.
FAQ:
Q1: How can I copy and paste just the values of a range in Excel?
A: If you want to copy and paste data without any formulae or formatting, you can use the “Paste Values” feature in Excel. Select the range you want to copy, press Ctrl+C to copy it, select the destination range where you want to paste the data, right-click, and choose “Paste Special” > “Values”. This will paste only the values of the cells, without any formulae or formatting.
Q2: How can I copy and paste a table with merged cells in Excel?
A: If you have a table with merged cells in Excel and you want to copy it without losing the merged cells, you can use the “Copy Visible Cells Only” feature. Select the table, press Ctrl+C to copy it, then press Alt+; to select only the visible cells, right-click and choose “Copy”, select the destination cell where you want to paste the table, right-click, and choose “Paste”. This will paste only the visible cells of the table, including the merged cells.
Video Tutorial:
Copying and pasting may seem like a simple task, but it can cause a lot of frustration and errors if not done properly. These tips and tricks will help you copy and paste data in Excel and PDF documents more effectively and with greater precision. If you have any other questions or suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments section below. Happy copying!
