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How to Make a Copy of an Excel File or Sheet

July 25, 2022
6.0K Views

Duplicating a sheet in Excel is incredibly easy and a matter of convenience once you get the hang of it. The step-by-step instructions on how to create a duplicate sheet in Excel will not only help you understand the basics of Excel but give you a chance to excel at it. We'll also cover various methods of duplicating a sheet in Excel, including using the mouse, keyboard shortcuts, and the ribbon.

Adding a duplicate sheet in Excel is a straightforward process.

Here's how to do it:

  • Step 1: Right-click on the sheet tab of the sheet you want to duplicate.

  • Step 2: Select "Move or Copy" from the pop-up menu.

Excel sheet tab options panel
  • Step 3: In the "Move or Copy" dialog box, select the location where you want to place the copied sheet.

  • Step 4: In the "To book" drop-down menu, select the current workbook or the workbook where you want to add the duplicated sheet.

Move or Copy Sheet Dialog Box
  • Step 5: Select the "Create a copy" checkbox.

Create a Copy option
  • Step 6: Click "OK" to create the duplicate sheet.

Once you've created the duplicate sheet, you may want to rename it to avoid confusion with the original sheet. To rename a sheet, right-click on the sheet tab and select "Rename." Enter a new name for the sheet and press "Enter."

Duplicating a Sheet Within the Same Workbook

  • Step 1: Right-click on the sheet tab you want to duplicate.

  • Step 2: Select "Move or Copy" from the pop-up menu.

Move or Copy Sheet Dialog Box
  • Step 3: In the "Move or Copy" dialog box, select the "Create a copy" checkbox.

  • Step 4: Select the location where you want to place the copied sheet. You can choose to place it before or after an existing sheet, at the beginning or end of the workbook.

Select sheet placement in Move or Copy Dialog Box
  • Step 5: Click "OK" to duplicate the sheet.

Duplicating a Sheet to Another Workbook

  • Step 1: Open the workbook that contains the sheet you want to copy.

  • Step 2: Right-click on the sheet tab and select "Move or Copy."

Move or Copy Sheet Dialog Box
  • Step 3: In the "Move or Copy" dialog box, select the workbook to which you want to copy the sheet.

Select workbook in Move or Copy Sheet Dialog Box
  • Step 4: Select the "Create a copy" checkbox.

  • Step 5: Choose the location where you want to place the copied sheet within the selected workbook.

  • Step 6: Click "OK" to copy the sheet.

How to Duplicate a Sheet in Excel Multiple Times

Creating one duplicate sheet in Excel is simple enough, but what about making multiple copies of the same sheet to be able to analyze different sets of data? Here's how to do it:

  • Step 1: Select the sheet you want to duplicate.

  • Step 2: Hold down the "Ctrl" key (Windows) or the "Command" key (Mac).

  • Step 3: Drag the sheet tab to the right or left to create the desired number of copies.

Sheet tab

How to Duplicate a Sheet in Excel with Formulas

But what if you need to create a duplicate sheet with formulas? You can certainly start all over again with the tedious process of creating the sheet or you could follow the simple steps that will allow you preserve your formulas whilst duplicating the sheet. This is incredibly useful especially when you need to create a backup copy of a sheet with complex formulas.

  • Step 1: Follow the steps for any of the above methods to duplicate the sheet.

  • Step 2: Select the copied sheet and press "Ctrl" + "H" (Windows) or "Command" + "H" (Mac) to open the "Find and Replace" dialog box.

‘Find’ dialog box
  • Step 3: In the "Find what" field, type an equal sign (=).

  • Step 4: In the "Replace with" field, type another equal sign (=).

‘Find’ and ‘ Replace’ option
  • Step 5: Click on the "Replace All" button to copy the formulas to the new sheet.

‘Replace all’ option

This will update all the cell references in the copied sheet to refer to the correct cells in the new location.

Best Office Suite for Excel

Tech enthusiasts who have experimented with a number of Office Suites understand the true value of WPS Office. WPS Office is one of the best options out there for working with sheets in Excel on both Mac and Windows. This feature-rich software is designed to streamline your workflow and simplify your daily tasks, and the process of creating duplicate sheets is no exception.

WPS Office is a free, cross-platform office suite that includes a word processor, a presentation tool, and, most importantly, a spreadsheet program that can open, edit, and save Excel files. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone who needs to work with Excel spreadsheets but doesn't want to pay for the Microsoft Office Suite.

WPS excel tool

One of the great things about WPS Office is that it's available for both Mac and Windows, which means you can use it regardless of the operating system you're using. It's also very easy to use, and the interface is very similar to Excel, so if you're already familiar with Excel, you should have no trouble using WPS Office.

WPS Office also offers several features that make it stand out. For example, it has a built-in PDF converter, which allows you to convert your spreadsheets to PDF format without needing any additional software. It also has a tabbed interface, which allows you to work with multiple spreadsheets at the same time, making it easier to compare data and make changes.

WPS excel to PDF easy conversion

With WPS Office, you can easily create duplicates of your Excel sheets with just a few clicks. Simply right-click on the sheet you want to duplicate and select "Move or Copy Sheet" from the drop-down menu. From there, you can choose to create a copy of the sheet within the current workbook or move it to a different workbook altogether. This level of flexibility and customization is a game-changer for users who work with large datasets or complex workbooks.

WPS excel user interface

But that's not all that WPS Office has to offer. This versatile office suite also includes a range of other features and tools that can enhance your productivity and simplify your work. With support for cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, you can easily access your files from anywhere, on any device. And the software's intuitive interface and customizable settings allow you to tailor your workspace to your unique needs and preferences.

FAQs

Why can't I copy the excel worksheet to another workbook?

Sheets cannot be moved or copied in protected workbooks. To see if the workbook is protected, navigate to the Review tab, then to the Protect group, and finally to the Protect Workbook button. If the button is highlighted, the workbook is secure. Unlock the workbook by clicking that button, then move the sheets.

How to duplicate a sheet in google sheets?

  • Place your cursor on a sheet tab that you want to copy.

  • Select "Duplicate" from the context menu.

How do I copy a sheet from one workbook to another without linking it?

  • Open both the source worksheet (the one with the sheet you want to copy) and the destination workbook (the one with the sheet you want to duplicate).

  • Right-click on the sheet you wish to copy in the source workbook and choose "Move or Copy" from the context menu.

  • Select the destination workbook from the "To book" dropdown list in the "Move or Copy" dialogue box.

  • Choose the position for the copied sheet by picking one of the alternatives from the "Before sheet" dropdown list.

  • Select the "Create a copy" option.

  • To copy the sheet to the destination worksheet, click the "OK" button.

How do I copy and paste data in Excel without overwriting?

  • Choose the cell or range of cells that you want to duplicate.

  • Ctrl+C or right-click and select "Copy" on your keyboard.

  • Navigate to the cell where you want to paste the data.

  • Select "Paste Special" from the context menu when you right-click on the destination cell.

  • Select "Values" under "Paste" and then "Add" or "Multiply" under "Operation" in the "Paste Special" dialogue box, depending on how you want to paste the data.

  • To paste the data, press the "OK" button.

How to create a duplicate Excel sheet that updates automatically?

  • Select "Move or Copy" from the right-click menu on the sheet tab you want to duplicate.

  • Select the "Create a copy" checkbox in the "Move or Copy" dialogue box.

  • Choose the workbook in which you want to copy the sheet, and then the position in which you want to place the sheet.

  • Click "OK" to replicate the sheet.

  • Select the cell or range of cells on the duplicate sheet that you want to link to the original sheet.

  • Type an equal sign (=) followed by the name of the original sheet and the cell or range of cells you want to link to in the formula bar.

  • To finish the formula, press Enter.

Win the Excel Game with WPS Office Spreadsheets

Whether you're a seasoned Excel user or just getting started, duplicating sheets in Excel can be a game-changer when working with large datasets or complex workbooks. With WPS Office, you can easily create duplicates of your Excel sheets with just a few clicks. But that's just one of the many reasons why WPS Office is the perfect office suite for modern professionals.

Not only is WPS Office free and available on both Mac and Windows, but it also includes a word processor and presentation tool, making it a comprehensive office suite for all your needs. Its compatibility with Excel files and familiar interface makes it an easy-to-use alternative to Microsoft Office.

But what really sets WPS Office apart is its range of powerful features and tools, including a built-in PDF converter, support for cloud storage services, and customizable settings to tailor your workspace to your unique needs and preferences. So why wait? Download WPS Office today and start working smarter, not harder!

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.