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Excel produces error when dragging cells to another area

Article ID: 2807672 - View products that this article applies to.

Symptoms

After you install the Bing Desktop application, Excel may produce an error when dragging data from one cell to another. In Excel 2013, the error message reads:

We couldn't free up space on the Clipboard. Another program might be using it right now.

In Excel 2010, it reads:

The Clipboard cannot be emptied. Another program might be using it right now.

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Cause

There is a conflict between the Bing Desktop application and Microsoft Excel.

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The problem does not occur if Bing Desktop is not running in the background. As a temporary workaround, you may either uninstall Bing Desktop, or exit the program when you need to use Excel. To Exit Bing Desktop:

Right-click the Bing Desktop icon in the Windows taskbar.
Left-click "Exit."

This issue is fixed in Bing Desktop version 1.1.166.0. You should receive the fix through Microsoft Update, assuming that you have automatic updates set. However, if you are currently experiencing this problem, you can:

Check for updates to see if the Bing Desktop update is listed, if so, update your system
Uninstall Bing Desktop through Control Panel, Programs and Features. Then install the new version from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35844.
(http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35844)

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More information

This may also occur in Excel objects that have been inserted in other applications, such as Word or PowerPoint. Some people have reported these errors while attempting to merge and center vertical selections.

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Note This is a "FAST PUBLISH" article created directly from within the Microsoft support organization. The information contained herein is provided as-is in response to emerging issues. As a result of the speed in making it available, the materials may include typographical errors and may be revised at any time without notice. See Terms of Use

(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=151500)

for other considerations.

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