Clone an object

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

Before you begin

Prerequisites:

  • The source map, topic, or image must be unlocked

  • You must have the required access rights

About this task

Cloning creates a copy of an object with a new ID. The Clone command is available from all views.

  • Maps – You can clone maps to serve as a starting point for creating a document that will share many of the same topics as the original map.

  • Topics – Similarly, you can clone topics 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.

  • Images – You can clone images when you want to create a similar image but you need to keep the original one.

When cloning an object, 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.

Procedure

  1. Search to locate a map, topic, or image.
  2. Right-click the object and select Clone.
    Tip: If you cannot select the Clone option, it's likely your object is locked. Right-click the object and select Release, then retry.
    Tip: The containing map must be locked and opened in the DITA Map view. If you want to select Options for current map but the options are dimmed, the map containing them is not locked. Open the map in the DITA Map view, right-click the map that contains the object, select Lock, then retry.
  3. Beside Title, enter a name for the object.
    Note: By default, the original title is provided beside Title, with a cloned prefix. The cloned object can have the same title as the original and it will still be distinct, because it will have a different filename. Determine whether the cloned object should have the same or a different title. For example, a cloned topic that describes a procedure for a different OS might have the same title with changes to certain steps, whereas a cloned topic used as a starting point for a different procedure might have a different title and different steps.
  4. To replace the original object with the clone, select Replace original component.
    The cloned object is created and added to the containing map and the original object 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 object open in your workspace immediately once it is created, select Open in default editor.
  7. Click Clone.
    The cloned object 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 object.
  9. If you selected Append to current map, drag the new topic to the required position in the map.