How to Force Make a Copy of a Google Doc

2 min read 6 months ago
Published on Aug 19, 2024 This response is partially generated with the help of AI. It may contain inaccuracies.

Table of Contents

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to force a "make a copy" of a Google Doc, Sheet, or Slides. This technique is particularly useful when you want to create a duplicate of a file without needing access permissions or when the original file restricts copying. By following these two simple steps, you can easily create your own version of any Google document.

Step 1: Obtain the Original Document Link

  • Locate the Google Doc, Sheet, or Slides that you want to copy.
  • Copy the URL from your browser's address bar. The link will look something like this:
    https://docs.google.com/document/d/FILE_ID/edit
    

Step 2: Modify the URL to Force a Copy

  • Take the URL you copied and make a small modification to it. Change the part of the URL that says /edit to /copy.
  • The modified URL should look like this:
    https://docs.google.com/document/d/FILE_ID/copy
    
  • Paste the modified URL into your browser and press Enter. This will prompt you to make a copy of the document.

Conclusion

By following these two straightforward steps, you can easily create a copy of any Google Doc, Sheet, or Slides. Just remember to modify the URL correctly to avoid access issues. If you frequently need copies of documents, consider bookmarking the modified link format for quick access in the future. Happy copying!