Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Creating a Document Clone.
There may be times when you want to make a copy of a Word document, without affecting the original document at all. Word provides an easy way to do this; simply follow these steps if you are using Word 2007 or Word 2010:
If you are using Word 2013, follow these steps instead:
The document that is opened use the same file name, but Word attaches some sort of prefix to the file name, such as "Copy of" or "Copy (1)". Thus, if the original document you selected in step 2 is named "My Document.docx," what Word creates is a document named "Copy of My Document.docx" or "Copy (1)My Document.docx." If you want to rename the file, you will need to either use the Save As command or rename the document after closing it.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (7841) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Creating a Document Clone.
Do More in Less Time! Are you ready to harness the full power of Word 2013 to create professional documents? In this comprehensive guide you'll learn the skills and techniques for efficiently building the documents you need for your professional and your personal life. Check out Word 2013 In Depth today!
Don't you love all the acronyms used in computer terminology? One such acronym—pertinent to Word users—is ...
Discover MoreWhen writing a macro that processes a text file, you may need to know when the end of the file has been reached. This is ...
Discover MoreNeed to store some information in a plain text file? It's easy to do when you use a macro.
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2017-11-30 05:07:11
Debs
The problem with doing this is that the Document Properties from the previous version remain in the cloned version unless they are amended and therefore the metadata will not be correct which may be a risk if the cloned version is published.
2017-11-13 11:40:24
Jana
Thanks so much!!!
2015-06-17 14:27:18
Alice Caswell
How do I create a document clone for Mac Word 2011?
2015-02-07 07:11:05
just me
Thanks, that was very helpful. :)
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2018 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: 
Comments