Why make a copy?
A post is an entry like a blog article. A page is fixed content, such as "About us". Sometimes you want a new one that looks like an old one. A copy saves time. You can also try big edits on the copy and keep the original safe.
WordPress does not have a copy button built in. You can use a plugin or the editor.
Method 1: Use a plugin
A plugin is a small add-on program for WordPress. Several free plugins add a "Duplicate" link. Yoast Duplicate Post is a well-known one.
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click Plugins, then Add New.
- Search for "Duplicate Post".
- Click Install Now on a plugin with good reviews.
- Click Activate.
- Click Posts, then All Posts. Use Pages for pages.
- Move your mouse over the title you want to copy.
- Click Clone or Duplicate.
A new draft appears with the same content. A draft is a saved item that is not public yet.
Method 2: Copy and paste in the editor
You do not need a plugin for a single copy.
- Open the page or post you want to copy.
- Click the three dots at the top right of the editor.
- Choose Code editor.
- Press Ctrl+A to select all. On a Mac, press Cmd+A.
- Press Ctrl+C to copy.
- Click Add New to start a new post or page.
- Open the Code editor there too.
- Press Ctrl+V to paste.
- Type a new title.
- Click Save draft.
Pictures stay linked to the same files, so they show up in the copy.
Warning: Do not publish two pages with the same text and web address. Search engines may get confused. Change the title and the text of the copy before you publish. Take a backup before you install new plugins.
After you copy
- Edit the title and the web address (called the slug).
- Change the text and pictures.
- Click Publish when you are ready.
Quick recap
- WordPress has no built-in copy button.
- A plugin adds a one-click Clone link.
- You can also copy the code from the Code editor.
- Always change the title and text before you publish the copy.