Delete Copy and Move Worksheets
Now that we have covered How To Add Worksheets and How to Hide Worksheets (and how to make them visible again), let’s talk about copying and moving worksheets. Both can be done within the same file and also between file.
When would you want to copy worksheets?
Like with any other spreadsheet activity, there are endless reasons why you might want to have a copy of a worksheet. Examples include:
- Keep the raw data in its original state and work with a copy. Depending on the context of your spreadsheet keeping the original raw data might be a requirement (think professional spreadsheet usage).
- You want to make changes to an existing sheet that already contains lots of data and calculations. It can be wise to work with a copy of that worksheet so you can easily revert back to the previous state of the sheet in case in case you are not happy with the changes you made or ‘broke’ the sheet.
- Perhaps you have a worksheet that you use as a template and would like to make a copy before you fill it out.
- …
What do you mean by moving worksheets?
Moving a worksheet includes changing its position on the worksheet tab bar as well as moving the sheet from one workbook to another. Both are useful features that allow you to further organise your file.
Copying and moving worksheets within the same file
How to make a copy of your worksheet
Right click on the sheet tab of the sheet you want to copy. From the menu, select Move or Copy. This will bring up a pop-up menu. Make sure you tick the checkbox next to Create a copy. Confirm with OK once you are happy with your selection.
By default, the copied sheet will carry the name of the original sheet with a continuous number in brackets behind it. The first copy you made of your sheet will have the number (2) as this is the second sheet with that name (including the original). You can find out how to rename this new sheet my post Renaming Worksheets.
Move Worksheets (Method 1 of 2)
There are several ways to move worksheets. Let’s start by looking at moving worksheets within the same workbook. If you right click on your sheet tab and start moving your mouse in either direction, you will notice small down-facing arrow heads between the different sheets. Those are meant to provide a visual aid. Drag your sheet into your desired section and release your mouse. Here’s a little screen recording I took to show you what this process looks like:
Move Worksheets (Method 2 of 2)
The second method includes the Move or Copy popup menu again I have introduced earlier in this post. Right click again on the sheet you’d like to move and select Move or Copy. This menu asks you which sheet you want to place your sheet in front of (see ‘Before sheet:‘ circled in red on the screenshot below). Once you made your selection, confirm with ok again and your sheet will now be moved into its new position.
Copying and moving worksheets into other files
To copy or move your sheet into a new file (called workbook in Excel, also book for short), you will have to use the Move or Copy menu. At its you fill find a dropdown menu. Your current file is selected by default. If you select the dropdown you will find a list of all of your currently open workbooks and the option to move/copy your sheet into a new book.
