How to Duplicate a Google Sheet: A Complete Guide

How to duplicate a Google Sheet? It’s a question more people are asking as remote collaboration and cloud-based workflows rise. It’s no surprise. Teams and individuals depend on it for everything, from budgets to project planning.

Copying a sheet isn’t about laziness—it’s about efficiency. Imagine spending hours formatting data, building formulas, or setting up charts, only to repeat the same thing from scratch. Instead, you can save time by duplicating.

Think of a sales tracker used across departments. Each team needs the same structure but different data. Learning how to duplicate a Google Sheet can become a productivity game-changer. It helps you skip unnecessary steps while maintaining consistency across files.

Beyond that, the platform is packed with features. You can create visual reports, track trends, or build full dashboards. Tools like the Google Sheets extension add even more functionality, from advanced formulas to automation. Once your sheet is duplicated and updated, sharing it is simple. Collaboration happens in real-time.

You don’t have to be a data expert to benefit. Every day, you can build smarter systems and repeat successful workflows. That’s why the search volume for “how to duplicate a Google Sheet” keeps climbing. Spreadsheets are evolving fast, but efficiency never goes out of style.

Let me show you how to achieve this efficiency.

First…

What is Meant by Duplicating a Google Sheet?

Definition: To duplicate a Google Sheet means to make an exact copy of an existing spreadsheet within your Google Drive. It keeps all the data, formatting, charts, and formulas. This is useful when you need the same layout for different tasks. It saves time and ensures consistency.

You can also use it to experiment without changing the original. With powerful Google Sheets functionality, duplication is done in seconds. Many also use it before building a dashboard in Google Sheets.

Top 5 Charts Created after Duplicating a Google Sheet

These top five charts were created with ChartExpo to visualize how to duplicate a Google Sheet step by step.

Sankey Chart:

Multi Axis Line Chart:

Comparison Bar Chart:

Likert Scale Chart:

Progress Circle Chart:

Why is It Essential to Duplicate a Sheet in Google Sheets?

Could you test changes without messing up your original file? That’s where duplicating a Google Sheet makes a difference. It’s smart, simple, and essential for anyone working with data regularly. Here’s why:

• Preserve initial data: Try to have a safe copy of your initial data in case you accidentally make it worse. This way, you preserve the original file from undesired modifications, deletions, or formula errors.
• Create reusable templates: A copied sheet can be a template for recurring jobs like weekly reports or invoices. This saves time and, as a bonus, does not require recreating formatting, formulas, and layout between projects.
• Support “what-if” scenarios: Want to test a new budget or pricing model? Copy your sheet and utilize what-if analysis in Google Sheets to try out scenarios without risking your live data.
• Improve team collaboration: Each team member can work on their version of a duplicated sheet while preserving the original layout. Combined with features like how to share a Google Sheet, this boosts productivity and avoids version conflicts.
• Maintain audit trails: Duplicating before major changes helps you record progress and revisions. It’s especially helpful when comparing before-and-after data or reviewing historical decisions using Google Sheets functionality.

Methods to Duplicate a Sheet in Google Spreadsheet

Have you ever stared at a Google Sheet and thought, “I wish I could copy this without starting over”? Good news—you can. And there’s more than one way to do it. Whether keeping things in the same file or moving data to a new one, Google Sheets gives you simple options:

• Right-click and duplicate within the same file: Right-click the sheet tab at the bottom of your Google Sheet. Select “duplicate” to instantly create a copy in the same file with all the same data, formatting, and formulas.
• Use the sheet menu: Click the drop-down arrow on the sheet tab or use the top toolbar to find the “duplicate”. This method is helpful when managing multiple sheets and wanting a quick way to copy through menus.
• Copy to another spreadsheet: Right-click the sheet tab, choose “copy to”, select another Google Sheet, or create a new one. This is ideal for sharing templates, reusing structures across projects, or expanding your Google Sheets functionality across teams.

How to Duplicate a Google Sheet?

Duplicating a Google Sheet saves time, prevents errors, and keeps things consistent. Whether setting up monthly reports, testing data, or planning, these two quick methods can help you work smarter, not harder:

Method 1: Make a Copy of the Entire Google Sheet

• First, click on “File” in the top menu and select “Make a copy” as shown below:

• Then, you’ll see a pop-up. Click on “Make a copy” again to confirm.

• Finally, a new file titled “Copy of” is created in your Google Drive. You now have a full version you can edit freely.

Method 2: Duplicate a Single Sheet Within the Same File

• Click on the sheet tab at the bottom of your screen (where the sheet name appears). Then, choose “Duplicate”.

• You’ll instantly see a new “Copy of [Sheet Name]” sheet in the same file.

How to Analyze a Duplicated Sheet in Google Sheets?

Have you ever wrestled with a Google Sheet and thought, “There has to be a better way”? We all have. Especially when you’re deep into data analysis, the built-in charts leave you wanting more. Google Sheets does many things well, but data visualization is a weak spot. It’s functional, not flashy.

Enter ChartExpo—a powerful add-on that transforms dry data into stunning, insightful visuals. If you’re serious about insights, it’s your secret weapon.

How to Install ChartExpo in Google Sheets?

1. To start using ChartExpo, download it directly from the Google Sheets program. To do this, select Extensions from the top toolbar.
2. A menu will appear. Click the Get add-ons option.
3. Search for ChartExpo, and click on Charts, Graphs & Visualizations by ChartExpo when it appears in the results.
4. Click the Install button. You will have to confirm your Google account and accept some permissions.

ChartExpo charts are available both in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Please use the following CTAs to install the tool of your choice and create beautiful visualizations in a few clicks in your favorite tool.

Example

Let’s learn how to create a Chart in Google Sheets using ChartExpo and analyze it.

KPI	Value (%)
Page Load Speed	85
Bounce Rate Improvement	70
Conversion Rate	60
Mobile Responsiveness	90
Core Web Vitals Score	75
User Engagement Rate	65

• To get started with ChartExpo, install ChartExpo in Google Sheets.
• Go to Extensions > Charts, Graphs & Visualizations by ChartExpo > Open.

• To access the charts library, click the Add new chart button.

• Once it loads, scroll through the charts list to locate and choose the “Progress Circle Chart”.

• First, insert the data table into the sheet. Then, choose the Sheet name from the drop-down menu in the ChartExpo section.
• Select the metric column; metric is the numeric column in your data sheet.
• Select the dimensions column; the dimension is the categorical column in your datasheet that contains text information.
• Click the Create chart button to complete the process.

• If you want to add anything to the chart, click the Edit Chart button:

• Click the pencil icon next to the Chart Header to change the title.
• It will open the properties dialog. Under the Text section, you can add a heading in Line 1 and enable Show.
• Give the appropriate title of your chart and click the Apply button.

• You can add the percentage sign with all values as follows:

• You can change the data representation by clicking on Settings as follows:

• After making all the changes, click on the “Save” button:

• Your final chart will look like the one below.

Insights

• Mobile responsiveness: Strong performance at 90%
• Page load speed: Solid score of 85%
• Conversion rate: Needs improvement at 60%
• User engagement: Moderate level at 65%
• Summary: Focus on boosting conversion rate and user engagement to improve overall website performance.

FAQs

Can I duplicate an entire Google Sheet?

Yes, you can. Click on File, then select Make a copy. This creates a full copy of the spreadsheet with all data, formulas, and formatting intact. It’s quick and keeps your original safe.

What is the shortcut for duplicating in Google Sheets?

There’s no direct keyboard shortcut to duplicate. But you can right-click the sheet tab and select duplicate. Or use the File > Make a copy option. It’s fast, easy, and part of core Google Sheets functionality.

Wrap Up

Duplicating a Google Sheet is simple. It saves time and reduces errors. Whether you copy an entire file or a single sheet, the steps are quick. This method is helpful for planning, analysis, and teamwork. You can keep your original data safe, reuse layouts, or test changes freely.

So, you want clean, accurate data? Use the Remove duplicates in Google Sheets after duplication. This keeps your new sheet free from repeats and confusion. Planning to present your data visually? After duplicating, try creating a chart in Google Sheets. You can also learn how to add a trendline in Google Sheets to highlight patterns and predictions.

Need to link data across sheets? Use VLOOKUP for Google Sheets. It pulls exact values from your duplicated sheets, saving time and clicks.

The bottom line: Duplicating isn’t about copying but working smarter. It helps keep your data clean, your reports consistent, and your team aligned. Every smart spreadsheet starts with a smart copy.

And don’t forget: Install ChartExpo to transform your raw data into insightful visual reports.