Move/Copy Items in a Package

After creating packages and adding items to them, you might find that you want to move items from one package to another. For example, you might want to keep all of the files used in one section in a single package rather than creating a separate package for each file.

Items in a package can be moved or copied to another package using cut/copy and paste. You can also drag-and-drop items between packages by splitting the work area and viewing different packages in the two panes of the layout. When you drag-and-drop an item between packages, a new copy of the item is created in the destination package. To move an item between packages using drag-and-drop, hold the SHIFT key while dragging.

Note: If the source and destination are different folders within the same package tab, drag-and-drop moves the item rather than copying it.

When moving and/or copying items in a package, file and folder names at the same level within a package must be unique. Therefore, if you attempt to copy or move a file with a duplicate name to the same folder in a package, you are prompted to replace the original with the new file. If two distinct package files must keep the same name, you can either create a new package for the additional file or create a separate folder for it in the same package.

Warning! Moving a package item that is linked to a document creates broken links in your content. Because the Broken Links tool does not penetrate packages, it cannot detect when links to items within packages are broken. Therefore, if you plan to move a package item, you should first remove any links to it from your content.

Multi-user Considerations

Note that if you want to move items between two packages, you must check out both packages. If you want to copy items between two packages, you need to check out only the destination package.

To move or copy items in a package:

1. Open the source package containing the items you want to move or copy.
2. Open the destination package into which you want to move or copy the package items.
3. Split the layout of the work area.
4. Display the source package in one layout pane and the destination package in the other layout pane.
5. Use drag-and-drop or cut/copy and paste to move or copy the items between the packages.

   To move items, hold the SHIFT key and drag the items from the source package to the destination package. You can also use the Cut and Paste commands to move items between packages.

   To copy items, drag the items (or hold the CTRL key and drag the items) from the source package to the destination package. You can also use the Copy and Paste commands to copy items between packages.

   The Cut, Copy, and Paste commands are also available on the Edit menu.

6. Save the packages.