About This Shortcut
This shortcut performs two important actions in Excel:
- It converts formatted text (i.e., italic, bold, font, etc.) to plain text.
- It converts formulas to values.
Traditionally, the Paste Special dialog box has been the easiest way to do this. However, this shortcut removes the extra step of selecting “Values”, performing Paste Special > Values in a single step. The result depends on the content of the clipboard:
- If the clipboard contains formatted text, the formatting will be removed.
- If the clipboard contains a formula, the formula will be removed.
Mac Excel
March 10, 2025 - The command for Paste Values is available in the latest version of Mac Excel 365, but the shortcut is not correct, so nothing happens when you type Command + Shift + V. However, you can fix this problem quickly like this:
- Navigate to Tools > Customize Keyboard.
- Go to “Commands Not in Ribbon” and select “Paste Values”.
- Note that the two existing shortcuts are actually for “Paste Special”.
- Select the “Press new keyboard shortcut” input area.
- Press Command + Shift + V.
- Click the “Add” button to add the shortcut.
- Click “OK” to save the shortcut.
You should then try the shortcut Command + Shift + V to be sure it works as expected.
About This Shortcut
Use this shortcut to display the Paste Special dialog box. Paste Special is the gateway into many powerful operations, including paste Values, which you probably use every day. Note that this shortcut only works when data has been copied to the clipboard.
On Windows, once you have the Paste Special Dialog open, you can type a letter to select the particular command you want, for example:
- F = Formula
- V = Values
- T = Formats
- C = Comments
- N = Validation
- H = All using source theme
- X = All except borders
- W = Column widths
- R = Formulas and number formats
- U = Values and number formats
- D = Add
- S = Subtract
- M = Multiply
- I = Divide
- B = Skip blanks
- E = Transpose
