Force Users to Make a Copy of a Google Doc!

Here’s an easy way to help users make a copy of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides or Drawings!

Ever share something and instruct your students to go to file>make a copy, and instead they all start typing on the document like it’s their own? There are lots of ways to make a copy and distribute to students, like using Google Classroom or Doctopus, but this little trick is super simple! (Thanks to the FABULOUS Alice Keeler for sharing this!)

Here’s how it works! Grab the link of the doc, sheet, slide or drawing–the one you see when you are editing. (Hint: this link has the word “edit” at the end.) Then simply replace the word EDIT with the word COPY! The user will then be prompted to make a copy of the file. Once they click the “Make a Copy,” button, it will make a copy of the file and add it to their Google Drive. AWESOME!

Remember, your sharing settings will still apply so users/students will still have to have viewing rights to the file in order for this work. See how it works in the animation below:

This tip is similar to another tip I posted a few months ago: Amazing Shortcut for Sharing Google Docs. This allows you to use the word “Preview” in place of edit to see a preview of the file. So there are three keywords that can go here:

edit = editable file
preview = view only
copy = prompt to make a copy of the file

Check out all the Google Tricks and Tips here!

What are your favorite Google Tricks? Please share in the comments below.

Kasey Bell will be presenting at the following upcoming events:

• FETC, Jan. 20-23 (Orlando, FL)
• TCEA, Feb. 2-6 (Austin, TX)
• WEMTA, March 22-24 (Wisconsin Dells, WI)