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# How do I duplicate a layer?

**Duplicate** creates a full copy of a [Layer](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-are-layers-and-how-do-i-use-them-1ozes9v/) — including all of its annotations — from the Layers sidebar's 3-dot menu. It's the simplest way to back up a Layer before a destructive change like merging or deleting.

### When to duplicate a Layer

Common reasons to duplicate:

* **Before merging** — [merging Layers](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-to-merge-layers-1k9kad7/) is permanent and can't be undone, so duplicate first if you want to keep the originals as a fallback;
* **Before deleting** — [deleting a Layer](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-to-delete-a-layer-1q0dy2h/) is permanent. Duplicate first if you might want the annotations back;
* **Before bulk-editing annotations** — make a copy, edit the duplicate, and keep the original untouched as a comparison or backup;
* **To branch a Layer** — split a single Layer in two directions (e.g., one Layer for the director's intended notes and a duplicate for the alternate version you want to try);
* **To recover Lost Layers** — duplicating any Layer can surface hidden [Lost Layers](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/im-missing-all-of-my-layers-1q3wawc/) that Scriptation set aside as a safety net.

### How to duplicate a Layer

1. Tap the **Layers** icon on the Top Toolbar to open the Layers sidebar;

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/toptoolbarlayerspng_181yjsc.png =400x79)

| ✅ TIP: If the **Layers** icon isn't showing in the Top Toolbar, touch or click the plus sign on the right side to show additional icons. To pin it permanently, see [Customizing the Top Toolbar](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/more-icons-and-customizing-the-top-toolbar-v1u97a/).

2. Tap the **3-dot menu** at the upper right of the sidebar and choose **Duplicate**;

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/layersmenuduplicatepng_e3jobm.png =300x280)
3. Select the Layer (or Layers) you want to duplicate, then tap **OK**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/6/0/8/1/60818aeea8717000/layersduplicatepng_1x2598t.png =300x296)

Each duplicated Layer appears in your Layers list with a **2**, **3**, **4**, etc. appended to its name — for example, "Director's Notes" becomes "Director's Notes 2". From there you can [rename it](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-to-rename-a-layer-1udf34p/), [assign it a color](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-do-i-assign-a-color-to-a-layer-in-the-layers-menu-1y1zbn9/), or treat it like any other Layer.

|| 📝 NOTE: A duplicate is a fully independent Layer — edits to the duplicate don't affect the original, and vice versa.

### Duplicating Info Layers

If you want to **edit** an [Info Layer](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-are-info-layers-and-how-do-i-use-them-1gkr5qc/) (Revision Colors, Large Scene Numbers, Scene Dividers, 8th Page Counts, or Dialogue Numbers), you need to duplicate it first — Info Layers themselves are auto-generated and not editable. The duplicate becomes a regular editable Layer.

Each Info Layer has a boxed plus icon **[ + ]** next to it; tap that to duplicate. Full walkthrough: [What are Info Layers, and how do I use them?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-are-info-layers-and-how-do-i-use-them-1gkr5qc/)

# What's Next

[How to Merge Layers](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-to-merge-layers-1k9kad7/)
[How to Delete a Layer](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-to-delete-a-layer-1q0dy2h/)
[How to Rename a Layer](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-to-rename-a-layer-1udf34p/)
[What are Layers, and how do I use them?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-are-layers-and-how-do-i-use-them-1ozes9v/)