Top 6 Ways to Duplicate a Word Document

When you create a copy of a Word document, you not only end up with a backup of the file, but you also prevent accidental changes to the original and make sharing it with other people less risky.

If you use Word for desktop or mobile, Word Online, or manage DOCX files in OneDrive, you’ve got several ways to duplicate existing documents. This tutorial will walk you through each method in detail.

1. Duplicate Word Documents With File Explorer or Finder

If you have a Microsoft Word document on the local storage of your PC or Mac, you can use the operating system’s file management system to duplicate it like any other file.

Duplicate Word Documents in Windows

1. Select a DOCX file on the desktop or File Explorer.
2. Use the Ctrl + C keyboard shortcut to copy the file to the Windows clipboard. Or, right-click and select Copy .

1. Press Ctrl + V , or right-click and select Paste .

A duplicate appears within the same directory with Copy appended to the end of the file name. Rename or move it elsewhere. Or, use the Paste keyboard shortcut or right-click the contextual menu option to paste a copy of the document directly anywhere you want.

Duplicate Word Documents in macOS

1. Select the Word document you want to duplicate.
2. Control – click the file and select Duplicate . A new file will show up with copy at the end of the name.

Alternatively, use the Copy function on the contextual menu to copy the file to the Mac’s clipboard. Then, Control – click the same or a different location and select Paste to create a duplicate. Learn more about the copy-and-paste options on Mac.

2. Open a Duplicate Copy of a Word File (Windows Only)

In Microsoft Word for Windows, you can open any recent document as a copy and prevent accidental changes to the original file right from the get-go. To do that:

1. Open Word (or select the File tab if you’re inside a document).

1. Hover the mouse cursor over the file on the Recent list.
2. Right-click and select Open as copy .

If you modify the new document, you must save it elsewhere on your PC’s hard drive, SSD, or OneDrive. You must also provide a name for the document.

If you can’t find the document on the Recent list, you can open a copy via Word’s Open dialog. This action automatically saves a copy to its original location but only works if the file’s on local storage. To do that:

1. Open Microsoft Word (or select the File tab if you’re working on a document) and select Open > Browse .

1. Select the Word file you want to open.
2. Select the Down arrow next to the Open button and choose Open as Copy .

3. Use the Save As Function in Word to Create a Duplicate

Alternatively, you can open the original document but save your changes to a different file. This works on both the PC and Mac.

Disable AutoSave (turn off the AutoSave switch at the top right of the Word window) if you want to prevent any alterations from saving to the original.

Save Word Document as a Copy on the PC

1. Select the File tab on the left corner of the Word window.
2. Select Save as copy .

1. Specify a destination, name, and select Save .

Save Word Document as a Copy on Mac

1. Select Save As on the Word title bar. If you don’t see the button, choose the Customize Quick Access Toolbar button (icon with three dots) and select Save As to unhide it. Or, open the Mac’s menu bar and choose File > Save As .

1. Specify a destination and name.
2. Select Save .

4. Create Word File Duplicates in OneDrive

If you store a Word document on OneDrive, use the Copy function to create a duplicate in another directory on the cloud storage service. That allows you to retain a copy of the original before collaborating on the DOCX file with other Word users.

1. Locate the Word document you want to duplicate on the OneDrive web app.
2. Select More options (button with three dots) next to the document and select Copy to .

1. Pick the destination folder in OneDrive and select Copy here .

OneDrive also allows you to download DOCX duplicates to your PC or Mac. Just select the Download option on the More options contextual menu. If you have OneDrive set up to sync to your desktop device, duplicate copies directly via File Explorer or Finder.

5. Create Duplicate Documents in Word Online

In Word Online, you can save duplicate copies of files to other locations of OneDrive, or download files directly to your PC or Mac.

1. Open the document in Word Online.
2. Select the File tab.

1. Select Save as on the menu. Then, select Save as to save a different copy on OneDrive. Or select the Download a Copy option to download a duplicate to your PC.

6. Duplicate Documents in Word Mobile

If you use the Word Mobile app for Android or iPhone, you’ve got several different options to create new file copies from existing documents. For example, you can:

• Open the document, tap the three-dot icon on the top right, and select Save a copy / Save As to create a duplicate file to OneDrive or your mobile’s local storage.
• Tap the Share icon at the top of the screen and select Send a Copy to email a duplicate copy of the document.
• Use the Files app on your iPhone or Android to create duplicates of locally stored DOCX files. On iOS, just long-press the file and select Duplicate . If you use an Android, tap the More icon (three dots) next to the file and use the Copy to function.

Easily Duplicate Word Files on Any Device

As you just saw, you’ve got multiple ways to duplicate DOCX files in Word. Pick the best method that suits you, depending on the circumstance, and you should be good. They also work with other Microsoft Office apps, so remember to use them the next time you have to create additional copies of any Excel or PowerPoint documents.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn't hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube. Read Dilum's Full Bio