> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tessact.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Duplicate, copy, and paste

> Reuse layer configuration without losing control of timing or relationships.

Copying a layer reuses more than its visible pixels. The duplicated instance can carry timing length, transforms, crop, type-specific properties, keyframes, effects, shadows, audio settings, and layout metadata.

## Choose the right reuse operation

| Operation                  | Best for                                              | Verify afterward                          |
| -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| Duplicate                  | A nearby variation of the selected layer              | New interval, name, stack order, parent   |
| Copy and paste             | Reusing one or more layers after navigating elsewhere | Paste location, active frame, keyframes   |
| Paste media from clipboard | Creating a new source-backed visual layer             | Source resolution, aspect ratio, duration |
| Reinsert from Bin          | Creating a fresh instance from the original asset     | Default transform and insertion time      |

## Safe duplication pattern

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select only the source layer">
    Use the timeline when overlapping canvas objects make selection ambiguous.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Duplicate or copy and paste">
    Invoke the available command from the context menu or keyboard reference.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Move the new instance immediately">
    Separate it in time or space so later clicks cannot confuse it with the original.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Inspect inherited animation">
    Open its keyframe lanes. Timeline duplicate/move and paste placement shift copied keyframe frame numbers by the placement delta, preserving animation relative to the new interval. Retime manually only when the animation should remain on a different composition beat.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Parent and layout considerations

A copied child layer can retain a parent relationship when the relevant structure is copied coherently. If only the child is reused in a context where that parent is absent, inspect its placement and parent controls. A managed auto-layout or grid child does not behave like a free layer; duplicating it can also change sibling distribution because the container has one more child.

<Note>
  Duplicate source references are efficient: multiple layer instances can point to the same remote media while preserving independent edits. This is different from uploading the same file repeatedly.
</Note>

See [drag, drop, and paste media](/editor/media/drag-drop-paste), [parenting](/editor/canvas/parenting), and [keyframe editing](/editor/animation/edit-keyframes).