Instant

Copy and paste in Instant allows you to duplicate elements within the same canvas, move elements between layouts, and even transfer sections between different projects. This guide covers all the ways you can use copy and paste to speed up your workflow.

Copy and paste can be used at multiple levels in Instant.

There are two methods to copy an element:

Copy elements from one layout to another within the same project.

Open the layout containing the element you want to copy

Select the element on the canvas or in the Layers panel

Copy using right-click or keyboard shortcut

1. Open the layout containing the element you want to copy
2. Select the element on the canvas or in the Layers panel
3. Copy using right-click or keyboard shortcut
4. Navigate to the destination layout
5. Paste the element

Transfer sections or elements from one Instant project to a completely different project.

For copying entire projects or large portions:

Create a <a href="https://docs.instant.so/en/articles/11123078-share-projects-through-remix-links">remix link</a> from your source project

A new project is created with all the content

1. Create a <a href="https://docs.instant.so/en/articles/11123078-share-projects-through-remix-links">remix link</a> from your source project
2. A new project is created with all the content
3. Edit as needed in the new project

See the Project Sharing &amp; Remix documentation for details.

For copying specific sections or elements:

Open the source project in one browser tab or window

Open the destination project in another browser tab or window

In the source project, select the element you want to copy

For sections, select the top-level layer (parent layer) in the Layers panel

Switch to the destination project tab or window

Paste onto the canvas using right-click or Ctrl+V / Cmd+V

1. Open the source project in one browser tab or window
2. Open the destination project in another browser tab or window
3. In the source project, select the element you want to copy
4. For sections, select the top-level layer (parent layer) in the Layers panel
5. Copy using right-click or Ctrl+C / Cmd+C
6. Switch to the destination project tab or window
7. Paste onto the canvas using right-click or Ctrl+V / Cmd+V

A top-level layer (also called parent layer or root layer) is the highest layer in the hierarchy within the Layers panel. When copying sections between projects, select the top-level layer to include all nested elements.

Tip: When you copy a top-level layer, all its nested child elements are copied along with it.

You can have two builder instances open simultaneously to facilitate copying between projects.

Open your source project in Tab 1 or Window 1

Open your destination project in Tab 2 or Window 2

1. Open your source project in Tab 1 or Window 1
2. Open your destination project in Tab 2 or Window 2
3. Copy from the source project
4. Switch to the destination tab or window
5. Paste onto the canvas

Copy & paste elements in Instant

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Use Case	Description
Within a canvas	Copy elements from one location to another on the same layout
Between layouts	Copy elements from one layout to another within the same project
Between projects	Copy elements from one project to a completely different project

Method	Steps
Right-click menu	Select element → Right-click → Copy
Keyboard shortcut	Select element → Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac)

Method	Steps
Right-click menu	Right-click on canvas → Paste
Keyboard shortcut	Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+V (Mac)

Layer Type	Description
Top-level layer	The parent container at the highest hierarchy level
Nested layers	Child elements contained within a parent

Option	How To
Multiple tabs	Open each project in a separate browser tab
Multiple windows	Open each project in a separate browser window

Copy & paste elements in Instant

Overview

Use Cases

Basic Copy and Paste

How to Copy

How to Paste

Copying Between Layouts

Steps

Copying Between Projects

Method 1: Using Remix Links

Method 2: Manual Copy and Paste

Understanding Top-Level Layers

Working with Multiple Builder Instances

Setup

Workflow

Keyboard Shortcuts

Quick Reference

Action	Windows	Mac
Copy	Ctrl+C	Cmd+C
Paste	Ctrl+V	Cmd+V
Cut	Ctrl+X	Cmd+X
Duplicate	Ctrl+D	Cmd+D

Task	Action
Copy element	Select element → Ctrl+C / Cmd+C or Right-click → Copy
Paste element	Ctrl+V / Cmd+V or Right-click → Paste
Copy between layouts	Copy → Navigate to layout → Paste
Copy between projects	Open both projects → Copy from source → Paste in destination
Copy entire section	Select top-level layer → Copy → Paste
Open multiple builders	Open projects in separate tabs or windows