Locate the parent spread you want to copy in the Pages panel (Window > Pages).
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Copy parent pages
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to duplicate parent pages within a document or transfer them between Adobe InDesign files to reuse layouts.
Copying parent pages lets you create design variations or transfer consistent layouts between documents. You can copy parents within the same document or between documents to use as the basis for a new parent. They can also be added to other documents when synchronizing a book or importing parent pages from another file.
Copy a parent within a document
Drag the page name of the parent spread to the Create new page icon at the bottom-right of the panel.
You can also duplicate a parent page by right-clicking the parent page name and selecting Duplicate Parent Spread <spread name> from the context menu. When you duplicate a parent page, InDesign automatically assigns the next available letter as the page prefix. For example, if you duplicate a parent named A-Parent, the copy becomes B-Parent.
Copy or move a parent to another document
Open the document you want to add the parent to. Then open the document with the parent you want to copy.
Open the Pages panel (Window > Pages) in the source document.
Select the parent you want to move or copy.
Select Layout > Pages > Move Parent and select the destination document name from the Move to menu.
To remove the page or pages from the source document, select Delete Pages After Moving, and then select OK.
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