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How to duplicate a sheet in Excel – our guide to creating a copy

Duplicating a spreadsheet in Excel is not as easy as it sounds. Find out here how to duplicate a sheet in Excel with just a few simple steps.

Reviewed By: Kevin Pocock

Last Updated on July 15, 2024
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If you want to know how to duplicate a sheet in Excel, we’ve got you covered.

Sometimes, we need to make more than one copy of the same spreadsheet in Excel. It can be a hassle to copy and paste the data into a new sheet, especially when dealing with a large dataset. Luckily, there is a very easy way to duplicate a tab in Excel, and we’ll walk you through the process in this guide.

So, without any further ado, let’s discuss how to create a duplicate sheet in Excel.

1

How to duplicate a sheet in Excel by dragging and dropping

Here is how you can quickly duplicate your Excel spreadsheet with just a click and drag of your cursor.

Step

1

Hold CTRL

First, hold the CTRL button on your keyboard.

Step

2

Drag the sheet

Next, while holding the CTRL button, click on the sheet you want to copy, drag it toward the right side, and let go of the left mouse button. Learn how to create a spreadsheet in Excel and easily duplicate a sheet.

This will create a copy of the sheet.

Learn how to duplicate a sheet in Excel and create a spreadsheet effortlessly.

2

How to duplicate a sheet in Excel by right clicking and copying

If the bottom of your Excel window is cluttered with lots of sheet tabs, making clicking and dragging the sheet tab difficult, then you can right click on the desired sheet tab instead.

Step

1

Select move/copy option

In the menu that appears, scroll up and select the ‘Move or Copy…’ option.

How to duplicate a sheet in Excel and create a table.

Step

2

Choose the workbook

Then, in the pop up selection box, choose the workbook you want to paste your duplicate sheet into (or start a new book). Once it is selected and highlighted blue, click ‘OK’.

Step

3

Create a copy

Then, select the sheet you want to appear before your duplicate sheet. Once that option is highlighted blue.

Click the box below with ‘Create a copy’ written beside it – do not click ‘OK’ until this box has been ticked otherwise you will just be moving your spreadsheet instead of duplicating it. Once you have, you can then click ‘OK’.

Duplicate a sheet in Microsoft Excel.

This will duplicate the sheet and purposefully place it next to your desired sheet in your desired workbook.

3

How to duplicate a sheet in Excel on a Mac

For Mac users, the same method for dragging and dropping your duplicate Excel sheet still applies but you have to select a different button.

Step

1

Hold down the option button

You will instead need to hold down the ‘Option’ button which can be found between the ‘Control’ and ‘Command’ button on your Mac keyboard.

While holding down the ‘Option’ button, you can click and drag the sheet tab to create a duplicate. Then, drop the sheet tab down and release your ‘Option’ button.

Step

2

Open a workbook

If you want to move your duplicate sheet into a different workbook, then you will have to open up both workbooks (one with the original, the other one is the one you want to move your duplicate sheet to).

Step

3

Use right-click

Right click on the original sheet tab and scroll up the menu to ‘Move or Copy…’ 

In the options box that appears, select the workbook where you want to move your duplicate sheet to and once it is highlighted green, tick the ‘Create a copy’ box underneath then select the ‘OK’ button. 

Conclusion

Those are three different methods that you can use to duplicate a sheet when working in Microsoft Excel – one is for Mac users, and the other two can be used in Windows and using regular keyboard setups. You can choose between right-clicking or dragging and dropping for both types of computers. 

Learn more about Excel through these guides:

Kevin is the Editor of PC Guide. He has a broad interest and enthusiasm for consumer electronics, PCs and all things consumer tech - and more than 15 years experience in tech journalism.