How to copy a sheet to another workbook?

[AlexanderBB]

Google instructs to open 2 workbooks and drag the sheet from one to the other. But my cursor becomes a circle with a diagonal line and it doesn't work.
Another method is from the Edit menu, select Sheet > Move or Copy Sheet.
I can't find an edit menu but there is a Move or Copy option on the r-click menu (from the tab with the sheet name). But the only choices are itself, or (new book).
Neither Workbook is protected.
Any help appreciated. Using Excel 2010.

 

[6StringJazzer]

there is a Move or Copy option on the r-click menu (from the tab with the sheet name). But the only choices are itself, or (new book).

If you open the destination workbook before you do this, it will appear in the list of choices. It will show only currently open files.

 

[6StringJazzer]

The drag method worked for me. I get the circle/slash only if I try to drag it into the menu area. When I drag it onto the grid or the tabs it works fine. Oh, and if you want to copy you must hold down CTRL while you do this. Otherwise it will be moved.

 

[AlexanderBB]

I can only move the sheet to a new book. And from there still not to the workbook I need it in.
Not sure what you mean by If you open the destination workbook before you do this.
Both source and target workbooks are open.

 

[RoryA]

It sounds like you have them open in different instances of Excel, which won't work.

 

[6StringJazzer]

I checked and agree with Rory--all of these symptoms occur when the files are open in different instances of Excel.

 

[AlexanderBB]

You are right, now the other book is shown to move or copy to. But unfortunately I still can't succeed. This is using the Move or Copy Dialog:
Excel cannot insert the sheets into the destination workbook, because it contains fewer rows and columns than the source workbook. To move or copy the data to the destination workbook, you can select the data, and then use the Copy and Paste commands to insert it into the sheets of another workbook.
I was unable to try the drag method as there seems no way to have both visible at once, only one or the other. I did get one inside the other but the tab area (to drag to/from) was only visible in one workbook. The other also lost its scrollbars.
The error is frustrating, the whole sheet with formatting is wanted, not just the data. Why would fewer rows/columns matter ? Is there anything else to try? Thanks.

 

[Alex Blakenburg]

Excel cannot insert the sheets into the destination workbook, because it contains fewer rows and columns than the source workbook

That would indicate your destination workbook is and "xls" file (pre Excel 2007 format) and not the newer format.
Unless you have a very good reason for keeping it that way I would suggest upgrading the workbook by doing a Save As "xlsx" or if you have macros "xlsm" otherwise you will most likely continue to have issues going forward.

I was unable to try the drag method as there seems no way to have both visible at once, only one or the other.

I find the quickest way of getting them to be both visible is with both of them open then with one of them selected hold the windows key down and press the left (or right) arrow <Window>+<Left or Right Arrow>.
If neither window is maximised that will be all you need to do, if either is maximised then the selected one will move to a half window pane and you will need to click on the other one in the background pane that you see.
Note: the copy won't work until you convert the destination file first.

 

[AlexanderBB]

That's good advice Alex, thanks. They both are .xls files but I'm using Excel 2010. It's possible they were first created with something older. I also have Excel 2019 so I'll make copies in it's format and see how I get on. Will report back.

 

[6StringJazzer]

You can still use Excel 2010. You can use anything from 2007 onward to make .xlsx/.xlsm files.