Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. 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: Duplicating Drawing Objects.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 1, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365
The objects you create using the Drawing toolbar are made up of two types of objects—text and graphics. Many times you will have a need to duplicate an object in your drawing. You do this by using the Clipboard.
All you need to do is select the object (or objects) you wish to duplicate and then copy them to the Clipboard. This is most easily done by just pressing Ctrl+C. Paste the objects back into your drawing (Ctrl+V) and then move them to the desired position.
Another approach to duplicating drawing objects is to use a very specific shortcut—Ctrl+D. This duplicates whatever object you have selected, and then you can move it to where you want it to be located.
Personally, I prefer the copy-and-paste method to using Ctrl+D. Why? Because often I need to copy an object that exists on one page and then paste it on a much later page in the document. Ctrl+D is great for duplicating on the same page as the object originally existed, but if you then need to move the duplicated object to a different page, it can be bothersome.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (12194) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Duplicating Drawing Objects.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. 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:
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