To keep your files and data safe, you must make a copy of a Word document. If you don’t know how to duplicate a Word document? Lucky for you, I can show you how to make a copy of a Word document in just a few steps.
Note: The following methods describe how to make a copy of a Word document on a PC (laptop, desktop, or 2-in-1). See how to duplicate a Word document on Mac.
Why make a copy of a Word document?
There are many reasons why you might need to make a copy of a Word doc:
- Saving a copy of a Word document serves as a backup in case the original file is deleted or corrupted.
- By creating a clone of a Word document, you can easily keep track of changes and revert to a previous version if necessary.
- If multiple people are working on a Word file, making a copy for each person can help avoid conflicts and ensure everyone has access to the latest version.
- You can make changes to the duplicate without affecting the original. It can be helpful if you need to customize a document for a specific purpose.
Overall, making a clone of a Word document is an easy way to safeguard your work, maintain control over changes, and collaborate with others.
Note: We have used Word for Microsoft 365 on a Windows 11 computer. But you can use any version of Microsoft Word on any Windows PC.
How to make a copy of a Word doc
Who doesn’t like having multiple options when it comes to doing something? So, to make your job easier, we’ll show you three easy ways to make a copy of a Word doc.
Method 1: Use Copy and Paste option in Word
You can easily duplicate a Word document using the copy-and-paste option within Word. Here’s how to do it.
1. Open the Word document that you want to duplicate.
2. Press the Ctrl+A shortcut keys to select all text or objects in your document. It highlights everything in the entire document.
3. Right-click and select Copy (Ctrl+C).
Tip: You can also click Home > Copy to copy highlighted content in the original document.
4. Select File > New > Blank document.
Tip: Press Ctrl + N on your keyboard to open a new blank document.
5. Right-click on the new blank document and click Paste (Ctrl+V) from the context menu.
6. Press Ctrl+S on your keyboard. It opens the Save this file dialog box.
7. Name your document, choose a location to save the duplicated file (on Windows, an external hard disk, or a flash drive), and click Save.
That’s it! You have made a copy of a Word document and saved it.
Method 2: Use the Save As option in Word
To duplicate a Word document, use the Save As option within Word. Here’s how.
1. Open the original Word document to make a copy.
2. Click File > Save As.
3. In the Save As window, browse the location where you want to save the duplicated document.
4. In the Save as type drop-down menu, select Word Document (*.docx).
5. Give the document a unique name and click Save.
Method 3: Use Windows File Manager
Here’s how to make a copy of a Word document using the Windows File Manager:
1. On Windows, launch File Explorer.
2. Locate and right-click the original Word document you like to duplicate.
3. Select New from the context menu.
4. Once the document opens in Word as a copy, press Ctrl+S to open the Save this file window.
5. Give the new document a unique name (just different than the original one).
Tip: If you want to save a copy to a different location, you can keep its original name. Or else change the name.
6. Then, choose where you want to save the duplicated document.
7. When ready, select Save.
The above methods will create a duplicate Word document, including all the formatting and other elements. Use whichever way is easy for you.
Now that you know how to make a copy of a Word document in 3 different ways. Look at how to delete a document in Word to save disk space and keep your files organized.
In Word, click File > Open. Browse the location of the document and select it. Click the Open drop-down and choose Open as Copy. Finish working on the duplicated file and then save it.
After creating a copy of a Word document, click the File tab and select the Save command. Name your document, choose the destination area, and click the Save button.
