“Retrieving Data. Wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again.” This is a common error that comes due to a user pasting data from one Excel sheet to another. Microsoft Excel is regarded as the most popular and widely used application. It helps the user in performing day-to-day activities for creating records, assignments, and other data structures. However, multiple Excel users reported an error that showed “Retrieving data. Wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again.” This error usually comes up due to one pasting copied data from the Excel worksheet to another app. This leaves the users frustrated.
The error also comes up when users copy content from Microsoft Excel online to the Excel desktop app. Therefore, if you are having the same error on your Excel worksheet while pasting the copied data, don’t get upset. In this guide, effective ways will be shown to help you fix the Retrieval data error in Excel.
Why Does ‘Retrieving Data Wait a Few Seconds’ Error Come Up?
The “Retrieving data. Wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again.” comes up due to a data syncing process. As known to people, the first Microsoft Office suite was developed to suit the needs of offline use. Thus, it did not have any features for online use.
Microsoft Excel web app implements data synchronization, especially for backing up data. When one goes forward to make any changes to the Excel data in the spreadsheet, the data will be automatically saved on an online server. Therefore, when users try to copy and paste, the data has to go through a validation process.
The Excel data goes through a deep process of validation. Excel also checks data that is copied. In this, if the process fails, it may display an error. Additionally, the error appears due to corrupted data. This can also come up if it becomes unavailable. However, this occurs only when the internet data isn’t stable anymore.
How Does It Affect Work?
The “Retrieving Data. Wait a Few Seconds and Try to Cut or Copy Again.” error can affect work in all ways. The below-stated points are an exaggeration of it:
Unstable Workflow:
The unexpected delay caused by the error can interrupt your workflow. This may force you to wait and retry your actions. This can be frustrating. It also leads to lost time and decreased productivity. This can come up especially when you are dealing with repetitive tasks. This involves data copying.
Increased Error Rate:
The need to wait and retry the cut or copy action several times can increase the risk of accidental deletions. Corrupted data can come in too. This comes up when working with large datasets or complex spreadsheets. Mistakes in these cases can be impactful.
Workflow Inefficiency:
The inability to seamlessly cut and copy data between documents or applications can interfere with your overall efficiency and productivity. It also leads to the addition of unnecessary steps to your workflow. Furthermore, it also prevents you from working as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Stress and Frustration:
The constant presence of the “Retrieving Data” error can be stressful. This can be more worrying when working on time-sensitive projects. This can negatively impact your focus.
Data Loss:
In rare instances, the error may be associated with file corruption. This may lead to potential data loss if not addressed immediately. This can be a major concern for users working with critical information in Excel spreadsheets.
Best Ways to Correct ‘Retrieving Data, Try to Cut or Copy Again” Error
Following are how you can fix retrieving data. Try to cut or copy again:
Deselect the Data and Paste it Again: If you’re having the “Retrieving data wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again” error while pasting the data then you should try to deselect the data. After that, you wait for a few seconds before pasting the copied data again.
Waiting for a few seconds before pasting the copied data on the Excel sheet is known to work for many users. This is why you should follow the same procedure to address the error and you will be good to go. Below is the given procedure:
- On your Microsoft Excel, deselect the data or text that you are trying to copy and paste.
- Wait for a few seconds (Around 60 seconds or so) before you paste the data.
- Select the fields you want to copy and paste. To paste the data on the sheet, press the Ctrl + V key together.
Open the File in the Excel Desktop App| retrieving data. wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again.: Many users reported that the error appears in Excel when they’re using the website version. This implies that the Excel desktop version is faster and more secure. This allows individuals to prepare the data structures, charts, and reports.
If you are confused by the error, then you can try to open the file on the Excel desktop. This may resolve the error. However, before you open the file, you must download a copy of your Excel data. Here’s how:
- Open the Excel web application on your computer browser
- Click on the File tab located at the top left corner:
- Click on the File tab
- Then, click the Save As button and then select the “Download a Copy” option:
- Download a Copy of Excel file
Once the file is downloaded. Try opening it in the Excel desktop app.
Once you open the Excel data in the Excel app, copy and paste the data you want and check if the error has been fixed or not.
Clear Browser’s Cache Data: The “Retrieving data. Wait a few seconds” error appears due to temporary cached images and data. It prevents the individual app from working properly. Make sure to clear your browser’s cache data and check the results.
Here’s how to clear the browser’s cache data on the Microsoft Edge browser:
- On your Edge browser, click on the three-dot menu and select Settings.
- Select Browser Settings
- Click on the Privacy, Search, and Services located on the left pane.
- Click on Privacy search and services
- Scroll down and click the “Choose what to clear” button.
- Click Choose what to clear button
In the Clear browsing data menu, mark the “Cached images and files” option. Please ensure you to choose “All time” from the Time Range section at the top.
Finally, click the “Clear Now” button to clear out the cached images and files.
Clear the browsing cache data and images
As soon as you clear the browser’s data and cached images, restart the browser. Then open the Excel sheet. By pasting the Excel data you would like to input to check whether the error has been fixed.
Try Using a Different Browser: If you have removed the browser’s cached images and data and are still encountering the error, then you should use a different browser.
It might be possible that the browser you’re using isn’t compatible with Microsoft Excel. It might also be that something is wrong with the Edge browser. Try using a different browser, such as Google Chrome, Firefox, or Brave, to check if the error has been resolved.
Update the Excel Desktop App
The MS Excel error typically appears in the Excel web version. If you’re using the web version, then the error may appear when pasting the copied data.
For this you must use the Excel desktop app to avoid the error. In case you are having the same error in the desktop app, you should update it to the latest version. This is how you should update the Excel desktop app:
- Step one includes on your Microsoft Excel app, click on the File tab in the top left corner.
- Step two includes on you clicking on the File tab
- Step three clicking on the Account option.
- Step four includes clicking on the Accounts button
- Click on Update Options.
- Select Update Now.
- Check Excel Updates.
- Now, the device will automatically check for available updates.
- If an update is available, follow the on-screen prompts to download and install it.
- After installing it, open the Excel desktop app and check if the error has been fixed or not.
Conclusion | retrieving data. wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again.
The “retrieving data. wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again.” error can be a bit exasperating. This can be done especially when you need to add the copied data online. Luckily, you can fix the issue by putting the above solutions into action. For this, the outlined five effective fixes will help you in resolving the error. Furthermore, make sure that your device is updated and has the required options. This can lead you to have better work. Apart from that, it will help with retrieving data. Also, consider waiting a few seconds and try to cut or copy again. Sometimes, problems like this arise due to bad internet too. Therefore, check your internet bandwidth too.
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