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How to make a copy of a Microsoft Word document
When working on an important document in Microsoft Word, it’s always a good idea to back up your content. This means saving your work regularly and making a copy of a version you wish to keep. Let’s quickly review how to make a copy of a Word document.
Read more: How to duplicate a page in Microsoft Word
QUICK ANSWER
To make a copy of a Word document, open the original document in Word. Go to File > Save As > Browse. Create a new name for the copy, then select Save.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
How to make a copy of a Word document (Windows)
There are three main ways to copy a Microsoft Word document on a Windows computer. You can copy and paste the original file within File Explorer, save the original document as a copy, or copy all of the content from your document and paste it into a brand-new one. Let’s quickly discuss all three.
Copy and paste in File Explorer
Launch File Explorer and find the original document you wish to copy. Select it, then press Ctrl+C on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can right-click the file and select Copy.
Press Ctrl+V on your keyboard to paste the file and make a copy. Alternatively, you can right-click and select Paste.
Save As
Open the document you want to copy in Microsoft Word. Click File in the top left.
From the menu along the left, select Save As.
Click Browse.
Save your new copy under a different file name. If you keep the same name, the file will save with the word “copy” after it.
Copy all content into a new file
Open the original Microsoft Word document. Press Ctrl+A on your keyboard, or click and drag your cursor over the entire text space to highlight everything. Copy it all by pressing Ctrl+C on your keyboard or right-clicking the selected content and choosing Copy.
Open a new Word document. Press Ctrl+V on your keyboard, or right-click and select one of the Paste options.
To finish making the copy, go to File > Save.
How to make a copy of a Word document (Mac)
Copying a Microsoft Word document on a Mac works the same way as it does on a Windows-based computer. The only difference is, instead of File Explorer, you have Finder.
- In Finder, locate the document you wish to copy.
- Click on the file once, then press Command+C on your keyboard (or right-click and select Copy).
- To make the copy, press Command+V on your keyboard (or right-click and select Paste).
Read more: How to delete a Microsoft Word document
FAQs
Open your original document in Microsoft Word. Press Ctrl+A on your keyboard, or click and drag your cursor over the entire text space to highlight everything. Copy it all by pressing Ctrl+C on your keyboard, or right-clicking the selected content and choosing Copy.
Now, open a blank document. Right-click, then, under Paste Options, click Keep Source Formatting (K).