The fastest way to copy an artboard
Open your Illustrator file and go to the Artboards panel on the right side of your screen. If you don't see it, go to Window > Artboards. Right-click on the artboard you want to copy in that panel and select Duplicate Artboard. Illustrator creates an exact copy next to the original, with all the same content, dimensions, and settings.
The duplicate appears when ready below the original artboard in your canvas. You can drag it to a new position if you want it elsewhere. This method copies everything on the artboard — all layers, objects, text, and effects — so you don't have to rebuild it from scratch.
If you prefer using the menu instead of right-clicking, go to Object > Artboards > Duplicate Artboard. The result is the same either way.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click an artboard in the Artboards panel and select Duplicate Artboard to create an exact copy with all content intact.
- The duplicate appears next to the original and can be dragged to any position on your canvas.
- You can also use the menu path Object > Artboards > Duplicate Artboard if you prefer not to right-click.
- Duplicating an artboard copies all layers, objects, text, and effects — you don't have to recreate the design.
- If the Artboards panel is not visible, open it through Window > Artboards.
When you want to copy content but keep separate artboards
Sometimes you need the same design on two different artboards but want to edit them independently. Duplicating the artboard does this automatically, but if you already have a second artboard and just want to copy the content from one to the other, use a different approach.
Select all the objects on the first artboard using Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac). Copy them with Ctrl+C or Cmd+C. Click on the second artboard to select it, then paste with Ctrl+V or Cmd+V. The content appears in the same position relative to that artboard.
This approach is useful when you're building a multi-page design and want consistency across pages but need to make changes to each one separately later.
Renaming and organizing duplicated artboards
When you duplicate an artboard, Illustrator names it automatically — usually something like "Artboard copy" or "Artboard 1 copy". You can rename it to something more useful. Double-click the artboard name in the Artboards panel and type a new name. This helps you keep track of which artboard is which, especially in files with many pages.
Good naming saves time later. Instead of "Artboard copy 3", use names like "Mobile Home" or "Desktop Variant" so you know at a glance what each one contains. You can also reorder artboards by dragging them up or down in the Artboards panel.
Adjusting artboard size and position after copying
The duplicate artboard has the exact same dimensions as the original. If you need a different size, select the artboard with the Artboard tool (keyboard shortcut Shift+O) and you'll see resize handles around it. Drag the corners or edges to change the width and height. The Properties panel on the right shows the exact dimensions if you want to type in specific numbers.
You can also move the artboard by clicking and dragging it anywhere on your canvas. This is helpful when you're working with multiple artboards and want to arrange them in a logical order — for example, putting all mobile designs together and all desktop designs together.
Copying artboards between different files
If you want to copy an artboard from one Illustrator file to another, open both files. In the source file, right-click the artboard in the Artboards panel and select Duplicate Artboard. Then select that duplicate, go to Edit > Cut, switch to your destination file, and go to Edit > Paste. The artboard and all its content move to the new file.
Alternatively, you can drag and drop artboards between open Illustrator windows if you arrange them side by side on your screen. Click and hold an artboard in the Artboards panel of the source file and drag it over to the destination file's window. This is faster than cut and paste if you're moving multiple artboards.
What happens to linked files and effects when you duplicate
If your artboard contains linked images — photos or graphics placed from external files — the duplicate artboard links to the same files. If you edit the original linked image, both artboards update. If you want the duplicate to have a different version of that image, you'll need to replace the link in one of the artboards by going to Links panel > right-click the link > Replace Link.
Effects like drop shadows, glows, and gradients copy exactly as they appear on the original. If you change an effect on the duplicate, it doesn't affect the original artboard — they're independent once the duplication is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I duplicate multiple artboards at once?
No, Illustrator duplicates one artboard at a time. If you need copies of several artboards, duplicate each one individually. You can speed this up by using the keyboard shortcut or menu path repeatedly.
Does duplicating an artboard create a new layer?
No. The duplicate artboard uses the same layers as the original. If you edit a layer that appears on both artboards, the change shows on both. If you want independent layers for each artboard, you'll need to organize them manually in the Layers panel.
What if I duplicate an artboard but don't want the content?
Duplicate the artboard, then select all objects on it with Ctrl+A or Cmd+A and delete them. You're left with an empty artboard the same size as the original. This is faster than creating a new artboard from scratch if you want to match dimensions.
Can I undo a duplication?
Yes. Press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Cmd+Z (Mac) when ready after duplicating. If you've made other changes since, undo will step back through those too until it reaches the duplication.
How do I duplicate an artboard and change its size at the same time?
Duplicate first, then select the new artboard with the Artboard tool and resize it. There's no single-step way to duplicate and resize in one action, but it only takes a few seconds to do both separately.