Tip of the Month: Copy Content between Layouts

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Dear Community Members,

Placing the same graphic or note across multiple layouts in Archicad is best handled with a Master Layout, as it keeps repeated content centrally managed and simple to update. When the same element needs to appear at different positions on different sheets, a Worksheet-based drawing offers a more flexible solution while still keeping the content easy to maintain. This month’s tip, inspired by a question from @Yukari Yamamoto and a practical explanation by @vlahtinen, demonstrates how to use this method effectively.

The challenge

You have a reusable graphic, such as a legend, diagram, north arrow, safety notes, or QR code, that should appear on several layouts, but in different positions on each one. A Master Layout is the recommended approach when the content sits at the same position on every sheet. When the placement varies per layout, a Worksheet-based drawing gives you full control over where the content sits on each individual sheet.

The solution

Create the content once in a dedicated Worksheet, place it as a Drawing on your layouts via the Organizer, and copy it to additional layouts from the Layout Book. Each placed Drawing references the same Worksheet, so editing it once updates every layout automatically.

Step 1: Create a Worksheet and add the shared content

1. In the Project Map, go to Worksheets and create a New Independent Worksheet. Name it clearly, for example Legend, Graphic Notes, or Fire Safety Notes.
2. Open the Worksheet and draw or paste everything you want to reuse: text, symbols, diagrams, scale bars, arrows, logos, QR codes, etc. This content now lives in one place only.

North arrow placed in an Independent Worksheet

Step 2: Save a view of the Worksheet

1. With the Worksheet open, right-click it in the Navigator and choose Save Current View.
2. The Worksheet now appears as a view in the View Map, ready to be placed on layouts.

Step 3: Place the Worksheet on the first layout

1. Open the Organizer, set one side to the View Map and the other to the Layout Book.
2. Drag your Worksheet view from the View Map onto the target layout and position the placed drawing where you want it on that specific sheet.

Step 4: Copy the drawing to additional layouts

1. In the Layout Book (Organizer or Navigator), find the layout where the Worksheet drawing is already placed and select that drawing in the layout’s content list.
2. Hold Option on macOS or Ctrl on Windows, then drag the drawing to each additional layout.
3. The copy will land at the same position as the original. Reposition it on the layout as needed for that specific sheet.

Copying the north-arrow Worksheet drawing from one layout to several others and repositioning it independently on a target layout

💡 If the content should appear at the same position on all layouts, consider using a Master Layout instead, it is the more efficient approach for that case.

The result

Whenever you edit the original Worksheet—updating a legend, changing notes, or adjusting a diagram—all layouts that contain the Worksheet drawing update automatically. You maintain only one source and can place the content wherever it fits best on each individual sheet.

Did you know? Other great uses for Worksheets

While you have Worksheets on your mind, here are a few more ways they can make your Archicad workflow smoother:

• Project-wide legends and symbols – Store door/window legends, material keys, fire safety symbols, or graphic keys. Edit once, update everywhere it is placed.
• Clean 2D detailing space – Sketch junction details, annotations, or design variations independently from the model, without cluttering floor plans or sections.
• Review and coordination – Collect screenshots or drawings, add comments and markup for internal coordination, keeping them separate from production drawings.
• Office template containers – In a shared template, store standard notes, QA checklists, title graphics, and reusable content that any team member can drag into a new project.
• In-project documentation – Keep layer usage notes, line-weight examples, or modeling guidelines that new team members can reference without leaving the project file.

Give it a try and let us know how it works for you! Here’s the link to the original forum discussion where you can leave kudos to  for this solution. 

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Do you have a clever solution or a favorite tip for everyday challenges? Share it with the community and it might be published in the Insights blog!