If you use copy and paste while recording a Macro, we will see the code which refers to Application.CutCopyMode = False. You may wonder why it’s there? What does it do?
In this post, we answer all your question about Application.CutCopyMode.
Contents
Application.CutCopyMode = False in recorded macros
If we record a VBA Macro where we copy and paste the recorded code might look similar to the following:
Range("A1:A10").Select
Selection.Copy
Range("D1").Select
ActiveSheet.Paste
Application.CutCopyMode = False
If we run the VBA code to copy and paste without that line of code, it still works fine. So, does it serve any purpose?
What is Application.CutCopyMode = False for?
In Excel, when we copy or cut a range of cells, the content is temporarily stored in Excel’s clipboard. This is when the animated dotted line appears and moves around the outside of the range; commonly referred to as the marching ants.
Look at the screenshot below; the marching ants show that we are in cut or copy mode, with cells A1 to C4 stored in the clipboard. The message in the status bar also changes to indicate which mode we are in.

Having copied a cell range, we can now:
- Paste the copied content from the clipboard, or
- Perform any other action to leave the cut/copy mode.
- Press Esc key to leave CutCopyMode without needing to perform an action on the worksheet.
Application.CutCopyMode = False is the VBA action of leaving cut/copy mode.
- The marching ants removed
- Status bar returns to its default status
- Memory used for the copied content in the clipboard is cleared
After using Application.CutCopyMode = False, it is no longer possible to paste from the clipboard using VBA. Trying to do so results in an error.
Run-time error’1004′: Paste method of Worksheet class failed

If we are in cut/copy mode and more than 101 cells have been selected, closing the workbook results in the following warning message.
There is a large amount of information on the Clipboard. Do you want to be able to paste this information into another program later?

Therefore, resetting the CutCopyMode before closing a workbook prevents this warning message from appearing.
Will Application.CutCopyMode clear the clipboard?
In the previous section, it was noted that Application.CutCopyMode = False clears the clipboard. However, this relates to Excel’s clipboard and not the Windows clipboard.
The Windows clipboard still retains the items it had previously and is unaffected by this setting.
What about CutCopyMode = True?
Logically, we would think Application.CutCopyMode = True would turn on the marching ants, but it doesn’t. Microsoft’s own documentation indicates it should, but I’ve never made this work, or seen others use it.
The opposite of Application.CutCopyMode = False is not Application.CutCopyMode = True. When we cut or copy cells, the status of CutCopyMode is either xlCopy or xlCut. Each status also has a numerical value:
- False = 0
- xlCopy = 1
- xlCut = 2
When pasting cells, Excel reads the CutCopyMode status to know whether it should cut or copy.
The following VBA will determine which mode Excel is in:
Select Case Application.CutCopyMode
Case False
MsgBox "CutCopyMode = False"
Case xlCopy
MsgBox "CutCopyMode = xlCopy"
Case xlCut
MsgBox "CutCopyMode = xlcut"
End Select
Should you use CutCopyMode = False?
If we are writing VBA code from scratch, it is rarely necessary to use CutCopyMode at all. Not because it is bad code, but because there are better ways to copy and paste which don’t use Excel’s clipboard, making it faster to execute.
Setting Values
We can paste values using the Value property of the range object. The following code places the values from cells B1 to B20 into cells A1 to A20 without using Excel’s clipboard.
Sub CopyAndPasteValuesOnly()
ActiveSheet.Range("A1:A20").Value = ActiveSheet.Range("B1:B20").Value
End Sub
Copy with Destination
If we wish to copy and paste more than just values, we can use the destination argument of the copy method. This also avoids the need to copy and paste.
Sub CopyAndPasteValuesOnly()
ActiveSheet.Range("A1:A20").Copy Destination:=ActiveSheet.Range("B1:B20")
End Sub
It is not necessary to define the full range of the destination; we can just reference the first cell. Excel knows how many cells we have copied and will adjust the paste range accordingly.
ActiveSheet.Range("A1:A20").Copy ActiveSheet.Range("B1")
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision of whether to use Application.CutCopyMode = False in our VBA code comes down to this: if at the end of executing the macro, the marching ants are visible, and you don’t want them to be, then use it, otherwise don’t worry about it.
Related posts:
- Cell and Range VBA properties and methods
- Useful VBA codes for Excel (30 example macros + Free ebook)
- VBA Code Library

About the author
Hey, I’m Mark, and I run Excel Off The Grid.
My parents tell me that at the age of 7 I declared I was going to become a qualified accountant. I was either psychic or had no imagination, as that is exactly what happened. However, it wasn't until I was 35 that my journey really began.
In 2015, I started a new job, for which I was regularly working after 10pm. As a result, I rarely saw my children during the week. So, I started searching for the secrets to automating Excel. I discovered that by building a small number of simple tools, I could combine them together in different ways to automate nearly all my regular tasks. This meant I could work less hours (and I got pay raises!). Today, I teach these techniques to other professionals in our training program so they too can spend less time at work (and more time with their children and doing the things they love).
Do you need help adapting this post to your needs?
I'm guessing the examples in this post don't exactly match your situation. We all use Excel differently, so it's impossible to write a post that will meet everybody's needs. By taking the time to understand the techniques and principles in this post (and elsewhere on this site), you should be able to adapt it to your needs.
But, if you're still struggling you should:
- Read other blogs, or watch YouTube videos on the same topic. You will benefit much more by discovering your own solutions.
- Ask the 'Excel Ninja' in your office. It's amazing what things other people know.
- Ask a question in a forum like Mr Excel, or the Microsoft Answers Community. Remember, the people on these forums are generally giving their time for free. So take care to craft your question, make sure it's clear and concise. List all the things you've tried, and provide screenshots, code segments and example workbooks.
- Use Excel Rescue, who are my consultancy partner. They help by providing solutions to smaller Excel problems.
What next?
Don't go yet, there is plenty more to learn on Excel Off The Grid. Check out the latest posts:
thank you for the information