How to Copy an Excel Worksheet Instead of Moving It in WPS Office Spreadsheet
Question details
The user wants to duplicate an Excel worksheet, but dragging the sheet tab currently moves the worksheet instead of creating a copy.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel 2016 / WPS Office Spreadsheet
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is working with a workbook and needs an identical copy of an existing worksheet while keeping the original sheet in place.
- Observed behavior
- Dragging the worksheet tab moves the sheet to a new position instead of copying it.
Open the workbook that contains the worksheet. If you want to copy the sheet to another workbook, open that destination workbook as well so it appears in the Move or Copy dialog.
Use Move or Copy to duplicate a worksheet in Excel
Use this method when you need precise control over the destination workbook and sheet position, especially when copying between workbooks.
In WPS Office Spreadsheet or Microsoft Excel, right-click the worksheet tab at the bottom of the window that you want to copy.
Select Move or Copy from the context menu.
In the Move or Copy dialog, open the To book dropdown and select the destination workbook. If you keep the current workbook selected, the copy will be placed in the same file.
Check the Create a copy box. Then select which existing sheet the copy should be placed before.
Click OK. A duplicate worksheet appears with the same name followed by (2).
Hold Ctrl while dragging the worksheet tab
Use this method for a faster copy within the same workbook when you do not need the Move or Copy dialog.
Duplicate an Excel Worksheet in WPS Office Spreadsheet Without Moving It
WPS Office Spreadsheet lets you duplicate worksheets with the same Move or Copy workflow and Ctrl+drag shortcut. The process creates a full copy of the selected sheet while leaving the original worksheet untouched, and it works with Excel files such as .xlsx.
- 1. Open the workbook: Launch WPS Office Spreadsheet and open the Excel workbook that contains the worksheet you want to copy.
- 2. Right-click the sheet tab: Right-click the worksheet tab at the bottom of the WPS Office Spreadsheet window.
- 3. Select Move or Copy: Click Move or Copy from the right-click menu.
- 4. Create a copy: Choose the destination workbook, check Create a copy, select the position, and click OK.
- 5. Rename if needed: Right-click the copied worksheet tab, choose Rename, type a new name, and press Enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does dragging an Excel worksheet tab move the sheet instead of copying it?
Dragging a sheet tab moves it by default. To copy instead, hold Ctrl while dragging, or right-click the tab, choose Move or Copy, and check Create a copy.
Can I copy an Excel worksheet to another workbook in WPS Office?
Yes. Open both workbooks, right-click the source worksheet tab, choose Move or Copy, select the destination workbook from the To book dropdown, check Create a copy, and click OK.
How do I know if Ctrl+drag will copy the worksheet?
Look for the plus symbol next to the sheet pointer while dragging. If the plus symbol is not visible, the drag will move the worksheet instead of copying it.
Does WPS Office Spreadsheet support the same Move or Copy dialog as Microsoft Excel?
Yes. WPS Office Spreadsheet includes a compatible Move or Copy dialog and supports .xlsx files, so you can duplicate Excel worksheets with the same workflow.
How do I rename the copied worksheet after duplicating it?
Right-click the copied worksheet tab, select Rename, type the new name, and press Enter.
