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How to Move Worksheets to Another Workbook

Learn how to copy or move Excel worksheets from one workbook to another.

When to Use This​

Move worksheets when you need to:

  • Split a large workbook into smaller files
  • Combine worksheets from different files
  • Archive specific sheets
  • Share only certain worksheets with others

Step-by-Step: Move Sheets to New Workbook​

Step 1: Open the Document​

Open the workbook containing the sheets you want to move.

Step 2: Select Worksheets​

Select the worksheets you want to keep:

  • Click one sheet tab
  • Hold Shift and click another to select a range
  • Hold Ctrl and click to select non-adjacent sheets

Step 3: Right-Click​

Right-click on one of the selected sheet tabs.

Step 4: Choose "Move or Copy"​

Select Move or copy from the context menu.

Step 5: Create New Workbook​

In the dialog:

  1. Check Create copy (to keep originals)
  2. Select New workbook in the dropdown
  3. Click OK

Excel creates a new workbook with copies of the selected worksheets.

Step 6: Save​

  1. Save the new workbook with a descriptive name
  2. When all desired worksheets are moved, you can delete the old document

Common Use Cases​

Split by Attribute Set​

Move each attribute set to its own workbook for easier management.

Archive Old Data​

Move historical worksheets to an archive workbook.

Share Specific Data​

Create a workbook with only the sheets others need to see.

Backup Specific Sheets​

Copy important sheets to a backup file before major changes.

Move vs Copy​

  • Check "Create copy"
  • Original sheets remain in source workbook
  • Safer option
  • Allows you to verify before deleting originals

Move​

  • Uncheck "Create copy"
  • Removes sheets from source workbook
  • Faster but riskier
  • No undo after closing the file

Alternative Destinations​

Instead of "New workbook", you can move/copy to:

  • Another open workbook: Select from the dropdown
  • Specific position: Choose where to insert (before which sheet)
  • End: Place at the end of the workbook

Moving to Existing Workbook​

Step 1: Open Both Workbooks​

Open both the source and destination workbooks.

Step 2: Select and Right-Click​

Select sheets in the source workbook and right-click.

Step 3: Choose Destination​

  1. Select Move or copy
  2. In the "To book" dropdown, select the destination workbook
  3. Choose where to insert the sheets
  4. Check "Create copy" if you want to keep originals
  5. Click OK

Tips​

  • Always create a copy first: Verify everything worked before deleting originals
  • Check formulas: Links to other sheets may break when moving
  • Watch file size: Moving many sheets can create large files
  • Name clearly: Use descriptive names for new workbooks
  • Save immediately: Don't lose your work

Troubleshooting​

Links broken after moving?

  • External references become #REF! errors
  • Update formulas to reference the new location
  • Consider keeping related sheets together

Can't select multiple sheets?

  • Make sure you're holding Shift or Ctrl while clicking
  • Release other keys before clicking sheet tabs

Move or copy is grayed out?

  • The workbook may be protected
  • Check if you have permission to modify

New workbook has different formatting?

  • Themes don't copy automatically
  • Manually apply formatting or copy entire workbook
  • Hide columns: For reducing visible data without moving sheets (coming soon)
  • Filter data: To work with subsets without moving sheets (coming soon)
  • Templates: Save worksheet configurations for reuse (coming soon)