Moving and Copying a Worksheet
Drag a tab to reorder it. Hold Ctrl while dragging to duplicate it instead.
Drag to Move, Ctrl to Copy
Sheets can be reordered by dragging, and copied by holding Ctrl as you drag. The copy brings everything: formulas, formats and column widths.
- Drag a tab — Moves it along the bar
- Ctrl + drag — Copies it instead
- Right-click ▸ Move or Copy — Sends it to another file
How to do it
Drag the tab to move · Ctrl + drag to copy · Right-click ▸ Move or Copy for another workbook
The Move or Copy dialog is the only way to send a sheet to a different open workbook.
| Item | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drag | Reorders within the file |
| Ctrl + drag | Makes a duplicate |
| Move or Copy | Sends to another workbook |
| Create a copy tick | Copies instead of moves |
Move vs Copy
Ctrl + drag the tab ▸ a duplicate named Jan (2) appears
| Action | Result | Original |
|---|---|---|
| Drag | Reorders | Moved |
| Ctrl + drag | Duplicate created | Untouched |
| Move or Copy | To another workbook | Moved or copied |
| Create a copy ticked | Duplicate | Untouched |
Result: Ctrl + drag
Ctrl + drag is the fastest way to create next month's sheet from this month's.
Do this
- Ctrl + drag to duplicate a monthly template
- Open both files before moving between them
- Rename the copy immediately
Avoid
- Dragging when you meant to copy
- Forgetting to open the destination workbook first
- Leaving copies named Jan (2)
📌 Both workbooks must be open before the other file appears in the Move or Copy list.
Practice
- Reorder your sheets by dragging.
- Ctrl + drag to duplicate one.
- Use Move or Copy to send a sheet to another file.
Quick quiz: You want to send a sheet to a different workbook. What must you do first?
- Save both files
- Have the destination workbook open in Excel
- Convert to .xlsb
Show answer
Right-click the tab ▸ Move or Copy ▸ choose the workbook ▸ tick Create a copy — Only open workbooks appear in the destination list.
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