● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 negative
Microsoft Excel KB5002914 Update Breaks Copy/Paste and Formula Dragging for Some Users
Key points
- KB5002914 update breaks Excel copy/paste and formula dragging.
- Problem reported across various Office versions (2016-2024).
- Uninstalling the update restores functionality.
- Workarounds include downgrading or replacing excel.exe.
Excel Functionality Impaired by Security Update
Microsoft Excel users are reporting that the KB5002914 Office security update, released this week, is causing issues with core functionalities. Specifically, copy-and-paste operations and formula dragging are failing for some users after installing the update. Reports of the problem emerged shortly after the update's release on Reddit and Microsoft Q&A forums.
Widespread Impact Across Office Versions
The issue appears not to be isolated to a single Office release or installation method. Users have reported the same problem on Office LTSC Standard 2021, and it affects both MSI and Click-to-Run installations, spanning Office versions from 2016 through 2024. This broad impact suggests a significant compatibility conflict introduced by the update.
Restoration of Functionality Through Rollback
Affected users have found that uninstalling the KB5002914 update from MSI-based Office installations successfully restores Excel's copy-and-paste functionality. For Click-to-Run installations, downgrading the Office build using XML or Group Policy has also resolved the problem. A PowerShell command for removing the update has been shared by users.
Unrecommended Workaround Identified
Another workaround circulating among users involves replacing the updated excel.exe executable with an older version while keeping KB5002914 installed. However, this method is not recommended due to potential risks of mismatched files, leading to stability, compatibility, or security issues.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Microsoft's KB5002914 security update for Office, released as part of September 2026 Patch Tuesday, is causing copy-and-paste and formula dragging functionality to fail for some Excel users. Affected users report that uninstalling or rolling back the update restores normal functionality, indicating a direct impact on productivity for those relying on these core Excel features.