How to remove vlookup formula and keep data?

As an Excel power user who works with VLOOKUP daily, here are several methods to remove the formula but keep the values:Method 1: Copy and Paste Special (Most Common)1. Select the cells with VLOOKUP formulas2. Ctrl+C to copy3. Right-click → Paste Special → Values (or Alt+E+S+V then Enter)4. The formulas are replaced with static valuesMethod 2: Drag and Replace1. Copy the VLOOKUP cells2. Right-click on the destination3. Choose "Values" from paste options (the clipboard with "123" icon)Method 3: Using Ribbon1. Select your VLOOKUP range2. Go to Home tab → Copy (or Ctrl+C)3. Home tab → Paste dropdown → Paste ValuesMethod 4: Keyboard Shortcut1. Copy with Ctrl+C2. Alt+E+S+V then Enter (older Excel versions)3. Or Ctrl+Alt+V then V then Enter (newer versions)Method 5: Convert Entire Column1. Select the entire column with VLOOKUPs2. Copy then Paste Special → Values3. This preserves all data in that columnImportant considerations:- Backup your file first - once formulas are gone, you can't undo after saving- Dependencies will break - other formulas referencing these cells will now reference static values- Data becomes static - it won't update if source data changesPro tip: I often keep the original formula columns hidden as backup, then use the paste-special-values for reporting or sharing files with others who don't need the live formulas.

Hey! I remember when I first learned this trick - it felt like magic! Here's my simple way of thinking about it:The "baking the cake" analogy:- VLOOKUP formula = Recipe for a cake (instructions to get the result)- Paste Special Values = The actual baked cake (final result without instructions)My step-by-step for beginners:1. Click the first cell with VLOOKUP2. Drag to select all the formula cells3. Ctrl+C (you'll see the "marching ants" around your selection)4. Keep the cells selected (don't click elsewhere!)5. Right-click exactly on the selected cells6. Look for the clipboard icon with "123" on it - that's "Values"7. Click that icon - formulas gone, values remain!What actually happens:Excel replaces =VLOOKUP(A1,Sheet2!A:B,2,FALSE) with whatever value was showing, like "John Smith" or "125.00".Common mistakes I made:- Clicking elsewhere after copying (loses the selection)- Using regular Paste (Ctrl+V) which keeps the formulas- Not checking if I needed the formulas laterWhy this is useful:- Share files without exposing your formulas- Improve performance - static values calculate faster- Prevent errors if source data might change incorrectly- Create snapshots of data at specific timesOnce you do this a few times, it becomes second nature. It's probably one of the most useful Excel skills beyond the basic formulas themselves!