What you will build

Create an independent duplicate of the spreadsheet with File > Make a copy, name it, choose where to save it, and verify that the duplicate opens as a separate file without changing the source.

Learning objectives

Open the practice workbook

HANDS-ON PRACTICE

Practice in your own copy

Make your own Google Sheets copy with the same data, formulas, formatting, filter and frozen header. The original remains unchanged.

Make a Google Sheets copy (access required) ↗View original

Sign in to Google. If the original is not publicly shared, download the full workbook and import it into Google Sheets, or paste the example data into your own sheet.

The verified _result workbook before the action, with the full Task, Owner, Status, and Due table visible in Google Sheets.

Hands-on practice

Step 1: From the menu bar, open File > Make a copy.

The File menu is open in the _result workbook with the pointer on Make a copy.

Step 2: In the Copy document dialog, enter a copy name, check the destination folder, then decide whether to share it with the same people or copy comments. Include resolved comments is available only when Copy comments is enabled.

The Copy document dialog shows the chosen Audit Copy name, My Drive destination, sharing and comment options, with the pointer on Copy comments.

Step 3: Click Make a copy. Google Sheets opens the duplicate as a separate file. Confirm that the copy has a different title from the source and that the Task, Owner, Status, Due table is unchanged.

The separate Google Sheets file Make a copy of a spreadsheet — Audit Copy is open with the original three data rows unchanged.

Checkpoint

CheckExpected result
CopyOpens as a separate Google Sheets file with the chosen copy name
DataThe Task, Owner, Status, Due table still contains the original 3 data rows
SourceRemains a separate file; creating the copy does not edit the source data

This is a file-action lesson, not a formula lesson; the checkpoint verifies that the copy was created correctly and the source data was not changed.

Common mistakes and fixes

Independent practice

Create a second copy with a different name, choose a different folder if available, then compare the titles and data across the source and both copies.

Key takeaways

  • ✓Use the visible File > Make a copy menu path.
  • ✓Name the duplicate and choose its folder in Copy document.
  • ✓Sharing and comment options are optional; Include resolved comments depends on Copy comments.
  • ✓Click Make a copy to create a separate Google Sheets file.
  • ✓Verify the new copy without editing the source data.
QUICK CHECK

Check your understanding

Answer four questions about the practice sheet.

1. Where is the command for duplicating the spreadsheet?
2. What should you check in the Copy document dialog?
3. What must be enabled before Include resolved comments is available?
4. What confirms the copy was created correctly?

Next lesson

Continue in the recommended learning order with Download as Excel and PDF.