Many people throughout the world have been irritated by the Microsoft Excel error “Retrieving data, wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again” It may show up when you attempt to paste the data that you copied from your Excel worksheet into a different document, application, or Excel version. Users attempting to copy data from the Excel Web version to the Excel Desktop version have also faced the problem.
This article will explain what this problem is, why it occurs, and how to fix it, so keep reading to fix this issue.
Retrieving data wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again.
For many users who use MS Excel, Instead of the data that was intended to be pasted into a new field, an error notice reading “Retrieving data,” “Wait a few seconds, and try to cut or copy again,” would appear. Despite the appearance that the issue could be connected to a certain version of Excel or the operating system, in reality, this is not the case at all.
Reason for the “Retrieving data, wait a few seconds” error
The mistake can be attributed to a straightforward issue: the data synchronization procedure. Microsoft Office applications were utilized offline and lacked any add-on features or capabilities that could be accessed online for a very long period. Sadly, Windows XP and previous versions have a tendency to crash, making it very easy to lose all of the data in the spreadsheet.
Remedy for the error
Microsoft started adding features to back up all of the data that was added to the software in order to fix this problem. Put otherwise, this means that whenever you make changes to a document, the data is also sent to an internet server. As a result, each time you try to copy or cut and paste, if the validation procedure is unsuccessful, you will see the message “Retrieving data.” Wait a short while and try cutting or copying again.
How to Fix “Retrieving data, wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again” error
Experts provided a few fixes for “Retrieving Data, wait a Few Seconds and Try to Cut or Copy Again” below this text. Look through them all and select the one that best suits your needs. The article also does provide some additional options, though, if you have tried them all and none of them have been successful.
To resolve the “Retrieving data, wait a few seconds, and try to cut or copy again” error automatically, consider running a complete system scan with recovery tools. This tool may be able to identify some malicious software or components that are the source of the problem.
Method 1. Try using another web browser
IT specialists have discovered that Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer are the two browsers that typically display the error message stating, “Retrieving data, wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again.” If you are a person with foul experiences or issues with any one of these web browsers in PC and feel struck and unable to resolve them, you might want to install an alternative. For instance, you can select Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
Method 2. Download an offline copy of the document
You should download an offline copy of the app and use your computer to make changes to the document if you are using the online version. Take the following action:
- Open the document that is causing the trouble.
- Click File, then choose Save as.
- Select Download a Copy.
Method 3. Paste it simply once again; just the text to try to bypass and Try to Cut or Copy Again error
One of the easiest fixes for the “Retrieving Data, wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again” error is to try this. Just doing the same thing again takes hardly any effort. But you should definitely give it a shot since it might resolve your issue.
Pick the field or fields you wish to copy, deselect the ones you are trying to copy or paste, wait (a minute or so should do the trick), and then pick the field or fields you want to copy again.
Method 4. Open the web app in the desktop version of Excel
If you are having trouble opening the file in the Excel online version, try opening it in the desktop version. This approach may benefit you as well; some users have found it to be really satisfying. To do this thing:
- Launch the Excel Web application.
- Select File, then Save as (Download as), and finally Microsoft Excel.
- Once the file has finished downloading, open it in the Excel desktop version.
The “Retrieving Data, wait a Few Seconds and Try to Cut or Copy Again” problem should not appear when you successfully copy and paste. You solve the problem by following all of the instructions given here.
Method 5. Clear the browser’s cached images & files
To get rid of faulty files or outdated data that might be affecting the performance of the Excel web app, clear the cache and cookies in your browser.
In order to clear your browser’s cache of images and files, you can:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to access the clear browsing data window.
- To clear the data, select the desired timeframe (e.g., All time, Last hour, Last week).
- Choose the particular data types that you wish to remove, such as “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.”
- Click on the “Clear data” button.
- Restart your web browser after closing it.
Try cutting or copying data when you reopen the Excel online application.
The “Retrieving Data” problem that appears in the Excel web app may frequently be fixed by clearing the cached files and pictures in your browser. This is a straightforward yet powerful Excel fix.
Why does this error occur when you work with Excel?
You may see the Excel error “Retrieving Data, Wait a Few Seconds and Try to Cut or Copy Again” for the following related reasons:
Processing large data sets:
Significant processing power is needed in Excel for copying huge amounts of data. This is agreeable, particularly when there are intricate calculations, formatting, or embedded objects. When the software prepares the data for copying, this may cause brief delays and the error message “Retrieving Data.”
Network connectivity issues:
Inconsistent internet access might impede the synchronization and retrieval of data when working with web apps or cloud-based Excel sheets. The “Retrieving Data” error notice may appear as a result, prohibiting you from copying data until the connection stabilizes.
Temporary software glitches:
Unexpected behavior, such as the “Retrieving Data” error, can occasionally result from small defects or malfunctions in the Excel software that interfere with data processing. Usually, resetting the program or upgrading to a newer version fixes these problems.
Outdated software version:
Compatibility and performance difficulties may arise when using earlier versions of Excel that have not been patched. There are several ways that this can show up, one of which is the “Retrieving Data” problem, which happens when old software code doesn’t work effectively with current processes or data formats.
File corruption:
The “Retrieving Data” problem may also occasionally be brought on by corrupted Excel files. This happens when the software is unable to process and access information correctly due to damage to the file’s structure or data.
How does this data error affect workflow in MS Excel?
Disrupted workflow:
The error may produce an unanticipated delay that disrupts your workflow and momentum, requiring you to pause and try again. Particularly when handling repetitive data copying chores, this can be annoying and result in lost time and lower productivity.
Increased error rate:
Unintentional deletions or corrupted data may become more likely if you have to wait and try the cut or copy action multiple times. This is especially true for sophisticated spreadsheets or large datasets when errors can have a more significant effect.
FAQs
What does the “Retrieving Data, Wait a Few Seconds and Try to Cut or Copy Again” error mean in Excel?
When data fetching for copying or cutting operations takes longer than expected, the online edition of Excel usually produces this error. It requests pausing and then attempting the action once more.
How can a user resolve the “Retrieving Data” error in Excel?
Using Excel on a desktop computer is one way to solve this. Go to File, Save as (Download as), and pick Microsoft Excel when your Excel Web application opens. Download the file and use Excel’s desktop version to open it.
Can users fix the “Retrieving Data” error without switching to the desktop version?
Even if the previously indicated procedure works well for most people, you can also try waiting a short while and trying the copy or cut action once more. Nevertheless, using the desktop version is a more dependable option.
Final thoughts
Excel users may find it very annoying when they see the “Retrieving data, wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again” error. However, you may successfully get over this challenge and take back control of your workflow by being aware of its causes and effects and reading several troubleshooting techniques.
