What Kami is and why you'd make a copy

Kami is a tool that lets you open, mark up, and share documents directly in your web browser — no need to read software or install anything on your computer. It works with PDFs, images, and Microsoft Office files. When you make a copy in Kami, you create a duplicate of a document so you can edit it without changing the original, or so you can work on your own version while someone else works on theirs.

Making a copy is useful when you're collaborating with others, when you want to keep a template unchanged, or when you need to preserve a version of something before you start making changes. The copy lives in your own account and is separate from the original.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the document you want to copy, then click the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select "Make a copy".
  • Kami will create a new document with "(copy)" added to the filename and save it to your account automatically.
  • You can rename the copy when ready after it's created by clicking on the filename at the top of the page.
  • The copy is completely separate from the original — changes you make to the copy won't affect the original document.

Step-by-step: Making a copy of your document

Start by opening the document you want to copy. Once it's open in Kami, look at the top right corner of the screen. You'll see three dots stacked vertically (called a menu button). Click on those three dots.

A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Look for "Make a copy" in that list and click it. Kami will process the request for a few seconds, then create a duplicate of your document. The new copy will open automatically, and you'll see the filename now includes "(copy)" at the end — for example, if your original was "Budget 2024", the copy will be "Budget 2024 (copy)".

The copy is now saved to your Kami account and is ready to edit. Any changes you make from this point forward will only affect the copy, not the original document.

Renaming your copy to something more useful

The "(copy)" label works, but you'll probably want a more descriptive name. To rename your document, click on the filename at the very top of the page — it's usually centered or in the upper left area. The filename will become editable (you'll see a text box appear). Delete the old name and type in whatever you'd like to call this version.

Press Enter or click elsewhere on the page to save the new name. The change takes effect when ready, and your copy now has its own identity separate from the original.

Where your copy is stored

Your copy is stored in the same place as your other Kami documents — usually in your main Kami folder or in whatever folder structure you've set up in your account. If you're using Kami through Google Classroom, the copy may appear in your Classroom files. If you're using Kami standalone, the copy will be in your Kami library.

You can move the copy to a different folder after it's created by using the folder options in your Kami account, just like you would move any other document. The original document stays exactly where it was.

Sharing your copy with others

Once you've made a copy, you can share it with classmates, colleagues, or anyone else without affecting the original. Click the "Share" button (usually in the top right area, near the three-dot menu) and enter the email addresses or create a shareable link. The people you share it with will see only the copy, not the original.

If you're working in Google Classroom, your teacher might see both the original and your copy depending on how the assignment is set up. Check your assignment instructions to understand what your teacher expects to see.

What happens if you accidentally delete the copy

If you delete a copy you made, the original document is not affected — they are completely separate files. You can always make another copy of the original if you need to start over. Deleted documents sometimes go to a trash or recycle bin in your Kami account, depending on your settings, so check there first if you need to recover it.

The original document will remain untouched no matter what you do to the copy, so you can experiment freely without worrying about losing the source material.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a copy of a document someone else shared with me?

Yes. Open the shared document and use the three-dot menu to make a copy. The copy will be saved to your own account, and you'll own it. The person who shared the original will not see changes you make to your copy.

Does making a copy use up my storage space?

Yes, the copy takes up storage just like any other document in your account. If you're running low on space, you may need to delete old copies you no longer need. Check your account settings to see how much storage you have left.

Can I make a copy of a copy?

Yes. You can make a copy of any document in your account, including copies you've already made. Each copy is independent, so you can create as many versions as you need.

What if the original document gets updated after I make a copy?

Your copy will not update automatically. The copy is a snapshot of the document at the moment you made it. If the original changes, your copy stays the same unless you manually edit it.