Fix Retrieving Data, Wait A Few Seconds And Try To Cut Or Copy Again
When using the online version of Microsoft Excel, you might come across an error message that says, “Retrieving data, wait for a few seconds and try to cut or copy again.” This message appears when you try to transfer the copied data to your computer. Many users have reported similar issues with Excel on the Microsoft community forum, leading to multiple updates. If you’re facing this error, the following troubleshooting tips can assist you in resolving it.
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Fix Retrieving Data, Wait A Few Seconds And Try To Cut Or Copy Again
The error message stating “Retrieving data, wait a few seconds and try cutting or copying again” has been a source of annoyance for many users. This error occurs when attempting to copy and paste data from an Excel worksheet into another application. Notably, the problem also arises when copying between the Web and Desktop versions of Excel.
Instead of pasting the correct data into a new field, the error message is displayed. Despite initial assumptions that the issue might be related to a specific Excel version or operating system, it is not the case. The reason behind this error is relatively straightforward: it stems from the synchronization process.
For a long time, Microsoft Office programs were primarily used offline and lacked the ability to incorporate additional features or functions through an internet connection. In the past, this limitation led to frequent crashes, resulting in the easy loss of spreadsheet data, especially on Windows XP.
To address this issue, a solution was implemented wherein all data inserted into the program is synced for backup purposes. Consequently, any changes made to a document are also uploaded to an online server. In the scenario where the validation process fails during copy/cut and paste attempts, the error message appears.
To resolve this error, several methods can be employed. Take the time to review each method and select the one that suits your situation best.
Microsoft Office Can Be Used To Open The Excel File
- Open the Excel document you want to download.
- Click on the “File” option.
- Select “Save As.”
- Choose the “Download a copy” option.
- After the file has finished downloading, open it using Excel on your desktop.
- You can now copy and paste data without encountering any retrieval errors.
Microsoft Office must be installed on your computer for this step to work. Here are some steps you can take in the event that you cannot access MS Office offline.
- Access the Play Store on your Android device.
- Search for “Microsoft Excel” in the Play Store.
- Tap on the “Install” button to download and install the Excel app.
- Once the installation is complete, locate the downloaded file on your smartphone.
- Use the Excel app to open the downloaded file and access its contents.
The datasheet can now be edited without error.
The Document Can Be Downloaded In An Offline Format
If you are using the online version of Microsoft Excel and encountering errors, it is recommended to download an offline copy of the document and make modifications using your computer. Follow these steps:
- Access the document that is causing the error.
- Click on the “File” button.
- Then, select “Save As.”
- Choose the option to “Download a Copy.”
Use a Different Browser
Experts have determined that Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer are the browsers that frequently encounter this error. If you are unable to resolve the issue while using either of these browsers, it is recommended to switch to a different web browser.
Re-select The Data After De-selecting It
- Unselect all data by clicking outside of the selected range. Wait a few minutes.
- Select the data you wish to duplicate. Then, using an external application, paste the selected data.
- In most cases, you should be able to successfully paste the data into Excel after the synchronization process is complete.
- Sometimes, you may need to attempt this process multiple times to resolve the error.
- It’s important to note that this is a temporary solution, and you may encounter this error again in the future.
These methods will help you fix the “Retrieving data, wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again” error. By following these steps, you should be able to overcome the issue and successfully copy and paste data in Excel.