Clone an object in a map

You can clone an object in a map while in the Structure view for Map Editor. If you clone the object this way, you have options for adding the clone to the map.

You can clone an object in a map if all the following apply:
  • The object that you want to clone is checked in
  • You are in Structure view
  • The toggle is set to View

If you want to edit the objects that you clone, you must also have the access rights required to edit those types of objects. If you want to add the clone to the map, you must also have the access right to edit maps.

Cloning creates a copy of the object in the same branches as the original object. If you want a copy of the object in a different branch, you must push it.

Note: Clones cannot be created in Delivery branches.

To clone an object:

  1. Find the object in the map.
  2. For the object that you want to clone, click More Options icon.
  3. Select Clone.
    The Clone dialog appears.

    It shows the destination branches for the new clone.

  4. (Optional): In the Clone title field, change the title.
  5. (Optional): Pick one of the following map options:
    Note: These options are available only for the map that you have open in Map Editor. You must also have the map checked out or be able to check out the map to use these options:Append to Map and Replace original.

    If the map has submaps, any objects in those submaps do not have these options. Open the submap in Map Editor to access these options for its objects.

    OptionDescription
    Append to Map This adds the clone to the map after the original object at the same level.
    Replace original This replaces the reference to the original object in the map with a reference to the clone.

    For example, you clone a topic in a map. The map reference to the topic is replaced with a reference to the clone. However, other references to the original topic in the map do not change. For example, a reference to the original topic in a relationship table would not change.
    Do not append to Map This clones the object but does not add it to the map.
  6. (Optional): To open the clone as soon as it is created, select the Open in editor checkbox.
    Note: If you do not have the access rights to edit this type of object, you can still clone it. However, the object will open in read-only mode.
  7. Click Clone.

    If you selected Open in editor, one of the following happens. The scenarios depend on the destination branches of the clone.

    Scenario Description
    The object is automatically checked out and opens in an editor. The clone is in only one branch.
    A message appears identifying the branch into which the object automatically forks. The clone is in multiple branches, but you can only edit it in one branch. The clone will automatically fork in the one branch to edit.

    Click Fork & Edit to fork and check out the topic.

    .
    The Edit dialog appears The clone is in multiple branches and you can edit it in more than one branch.

    The clone is created in all the same branches as the original object, so you can select the branches to edit.

    1. Select a branch to edit.

      The branches are sorted by branch type.

    2. Click Next.
    3. Pick a context map.
    4. Click Edit or Fork & Edit.

      The button that appears depends on the scenario. Click whichever button appears.
The object is cloned. If you selected Open in editor, the clone opens in the same tab.

If you selected one of the options for adding the clone to the map, the clone is also added to the map.