To duplicate a frame in InDesign, select it with the Selection tool and hold down the Alt/Option key while dragging a copy.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Select the Frame: Use the Selection tool (the black arrow) to click on the frame you want to duplicate. This will select the entire frame and its contents.
- Hold Alt/Option Key: Press and hold the Alt key on Windows or the Option key on macOS. This signals to InDesign that you want to create a copy.
- Drag to Duplicate: While holding the Alt/Option key, click and drag the selected frame to its new location. A copy of the frame will appear and move with your cursor.
- Release to Place: Release the mouse button before releasing the Alt/Option key. This places the duplicated frame in the desired position. Releasing the Alt/Option key first will simply move the original frame.
Tips for Precise Duplication:
- Constrain Movement: Hold down the Shift key in addition to the Alt/Option key to constrain the duplication to a horizontal or vertical axis. This ensures the copy is perfectly aligned with the original.
- Duplicating Multiple Frames: You can select multiple frames (by Shift-clicking or dragging a selection box) and then use the Alt/Option-drag method to duplicate them all at once, maintaining their relative positions.
- Step and Repeat: For creating multiple duplicates with precise spacing, consider using the "Step and Repeat" feature (Edit > Step and Repeat). This allows you to specify the number of copies, horizontal offset, and vertical offset.
