Clone a map, topic, or image

The Clone command creates maps, topics, and images from existing ones.

Prerequisites:
  • The map, topic, or image must be unlocked.
  • You must have the required access rights. See your CMS administrator for more information.

Cloning creates a copy of a map, topic, or image with a new ID. Topics can be cloned to create a copy of a topic as a starting point for developing a similar—but not identical—topic for use in a separate map. Similarly, maps can be cloned to serve as a starting point for creating a document that will share many of the same topics as the original map. Images can be cloned when you want to create a similar image but you need to keep the original one. The Clone command is available from all views.

When cloning a map, topic, or image, the following options are available only if the containing map is locked and opened in the DITA Map view:
  • Replace original component: The cloned map, topic, or image is created and added to the containing map; the original map, topic, or image is removed from the map but is not deleted. All external cross references that point to the original map, topic, or image are kept as is; they are not updated to point to the cloned map, topic, or image. Internal cross references (from point A to point B in the original topic) are updated in the cloned topic.
  • Append to parent: The cloned map, topic, or image is added to the containing map. When you select this option, the Replace original component option is disabled.
  1. Search to locate the map, topic, or image to clone.
  2. Right-click the map, topic, or image and select Clone.
    Tip: If the Clone option is not selectable, your map, topic, or image may be locked. Right-click the map, topic, or image and select Release, then try again.
    Tip: If you want to select one of the Options for current map but they are greyed out, the containing map is not locked. The containing map must be locked and opened in the DITA Map view. Open the map in the DITA Map view, right-click the map that contains the map, topic, or image, select Lock, and try again.
  3. Beside Title, enter a name for the map, topic, or image.
    Note: By default, the original map, topic, or image title is provided beside Title, with the prefix "cloned". The cloned map, topic, or image can have the same title as the original and it will still be distinct, since it will have a different filename. Use your judgment as to whether the cloned map, topic, or image should have the same title or whether a different title is more appropriate. For example, a cloned topic that covers a procedure for a different OS might have the same title with changes to certain steps; a cloned topic that is being used as a starting point for a different procedure would have a different title and different steps.
  4. To replace the original map, topic, or image with the clone, select Replace original component.
    The cloned map, topic, or image is created and added to the containing map; the original map, topic, or image is removed from the map but is not deleted.
  5. To add the clone to the map displayed in DITA Map view, select Append to current map.
    Note: This option is not available if you selected Replace original component
  6. To have the map, topic, or image open in your workspace immediately once it is created, select Open in default editor.
  7. Click Clone.
    The cloned map, topic, or image is created with a unique filename and is added to the repository.
  8. If you selected Open in default editor, you may now make changes to the map, topic, or image as required.
  9. If you selected Append to current map, drag the new topic to the required position in the map.