When refresh the power query pop up window says there's a problem of the clipboard

[Eddy_Brother]

The query works fine before, but now I keep getting this window when refresh the query, it is kind of annoying. 

I search solution on internet and try below methods, but can't fix the error.

1)Excel>File>Option>Genernal>User Interface option>uncheck Enable Live Preview

2) disable Add-ins

3) refresh the query in Excel saft mode

Turn off Clipboard can work, however it spent much time to refresh the query. I notice that when refresh the query, the data also show in clipboard,  why power query would move the data to clipboard? Looks this casue the refresh time consuming.

I also try to reload the query in Excel, it is ok to load the update data, but next time the error happen again. 

Is there any better way to solve this issue?

[Nasif_Azam]

Hey @Eddy_Brother ,

You're encountering the error message: "There's a problem with the clipboard, but you can still paste your content within this workbook." This issue began showing up during Power Query refreshes, even though the queries previously worked fine. Let’s explore why it’s happening and what you can do to resolve it permanently.

Root Cause

Excel doesn't directly use your system clipboard when refreshing Power Query data. However, certain factors—such as system settings, background applications, or even Excel add-ins—may interfere with clipboard access during a query refresh. This can trigger the error, especially when:

• Excel is used over Remote Desktop (RDP).

• Clipboard history is turned on.

• Background applications are syncing or monitoring the clipboard.

• Data preview panes or live UI features are running.

You've already taken several helpful steps, such as:

1. Turning off “Enable Live Preview” under Excel Options.

2. Disabling add-ins that might interfere with Excel.

3. Running Excel in Safe Mode.

4. Disabling clipboard, which reduces the issue but slows down refresh performance.

These are all smart first steps and suggest you’re on the right track. If the issue persists, try these lesser-known but effective solutions:

1. Close Apps That Might Use the Clipboard

Some applications constantly monitor or sync your clipboard and may conflict with Excel. These include:

• Microsoft Teams

• Skype for Business

• Remote Desktop sessions

• Clipboard manager tools (e.g., Ditto, ClipboardFusion)

2. Change Advanced Excel Settings

A specific Excel setting has helped many users:

• Go to: File > Options > Advanced

• Scroll to the “Cut, copy, and paste” section

• Uncheck: "Cut, copy, and sort inserted objects with their parent cells"

3. Turn Off Windows Clipboard History

This system feature can also interfere with Excel’s clipboard:

• Open Settings > System > Clipboard

• Toggle off Clipboard history

4. Avoid Auto Preview in Power Query

Power Query's default behavior shows preview data after each step, which might contribute to the clipboard issue.

• In Power Query Editor: Use View > Query Dependencies

• Minimize the data preview pane during refreshes to reduce clipboard-related activity

6. Update or Repair Microsoft Office

Bugs like these may be resolved by updating or repairing Excel:

• Go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now

• Or perform a Quick Repair via Control Panel > Programs > Apps & Features > Microsoft 365 > Modify

While the error message is annoying, it usually doesn’t stop your data from refreshing. However, constant use of the clipboard during refresh (even in the background) can slow things down or trigger errors again.

If you found this solution helpful, please consider accepting it and giving it a kudos (Like) it’s greatly appreciated and helps others find the solution more easily.

Best Regards,
Nasif Azam

[神游中的Eddy]

Thanks Nasif,

only 3. Turn Off Windows Clipboard History can solve my problem.

This error seems to occur only when the data volume is larger.

[Nasif_Azam]

You are welcome.🙂 I am glad that my solution helps to solve your problem.

If you found this solution helpful, please consider accepting it and giving it a kudos (Like) it’s greatly appreciated and helps others find the solution more easily.

Best Regards,
Nasif Azam

[Poojara_D12]

Hi @Eddy_Brother 

The error you're seeing in Microsoft Excel—“There's a problem with the clipboard, but you can still paste your content within this workbook”—typically appears when Excel encounters conflicts or delays while trying to access the clipboard during background operations like Power Query refreshes. Even though the query refreshes successfully, Excel may be copying preview or intermediate data to the clipboard as part of rendering or loading steps, particularly if you're using "Load to Table" or previewing results while the query is processing. This clipboard interaction isn't necessary for the query to run but seems to be a legacy behavior or bug that resurfaces in certain environments, especially when clipboard-sensitive applications (like remote desktop software, screen capture tools, or other Office apps) are running in the background.

You’ve already tried many of the common workarounds (Live Preview, disabling add-ins, Safe Mode), and while turning off clipboard monitoring may suppress the message, it also slows down refreshes—likely because Excel uses the clipboard for internal caching or data staging when disabled. Unfortunately, Power Query does not intentionally write data to the clipboard; this is more of a side effect of how Excel's rendering pipeline works.

A more effective and stable workaround is to change the load destination in Power Query to only load to the data model (rather than directly to an Excel table). You can do this by right-clicking the query in the Queries pane > Load To… > choose Only Create Connection or Add this data to the Data Model. This bypasses table rendering and clipboard interaction, reducing the chance of the error. If the data must appear in Excel sheets, consider scripting the refresh or separating heavy queries from frequently opened workbooks.

Lastly, make sure no clipboard-enhancing or syncing apps (like cloud clipboard tools, Skype, or Teams clipboard sharing features) are interfering, and ensure Excel and Office are fully updated. This bug is intermittent and heavily environment-dependent, so these steps typically help contain or resolve the issue.

[神游中的Eddy]

Thanks Poojara_D12,

Thanks for explaination, this error seems to occur only when the data volume is larger by accident.  Turn off the clipboard is the best solution for my case.