Articles on: Files module

Copy folders and files from another project

Overview


How do I set up a project's folder structure without building it folder by folder?


The Folder structure page in the Files module lets you set up a project's folders in three ways: Manually one by one, by copying folders and files from another project, or by importing a reusable folder-structure template. Option two and three are both from the Advanced options section, which is used to reproduce a proven document structure on a new project instead of rebuilding it by hand.


This guide covers both methods, what carries over with each, and who can use them. For adding, renaming, or deleting individual folders one at a time, see [Manage folders and files]. Requires project role Manager or higher.


Only users with project role Manager or higher can use Advanced options in Folder structure. Copying files and folders from another project additionally requires Admin access on the source project you copy from.


When and why to use this

New projects often need the same document structure as a past project, for example a repeat client, or a standard structure. Rebuilding a folder tree by hand for every new project wastes time and risks missing folders that matter for a client's workflow.


  • When this action is needed - starting a new project that should reuse an existing project's folder structure, optionally with its files, or apply a standard structure
  • What the system does - copying from another project rebuilds that project's entire folder tree and lets you choose, folder by folder, which folders' files come along; importing a template creates only the folder structure, with no files
  • Limitations - the approval flow setting (Activate Approval of files (submittals)) never carries over with either method and must be set up again manually afterward


How to

Copy files and folders from another project

  1. Open the Files module from the left sidebar.
  2. Click Menu in the top right corner and select Folder structure.
  3. Under Advanced options, click Copy files and folders from other project.
  4. In the Copy dialog, select the source project from the dropdown and click Select.
  5. In the Copy files from other project dialog, tick the checkbox next to every folder whose files you want copied.
  6. Click Copy files and folders to project.


You must have Admin access on the source project to copy from it, even if you only have Manager access on the project you are copying into.




Import a folder-structure template

  1. Open the Files module from the left sidebar.
  2. Click Menu in the top right corner and select Folder structure.
  3. Under Advanced options, click Import folder template.
  4. In the Import dialog, choose the Personal, Public, or Project tab, then select the folder template to import.
  5. Confirm the import. Only the folder structure is created - no files are copied.




Behavior and results


Copy files and folders from other project

Import folder template

Folder structure

Entire source project structure copied

Entire template structure copied

Files

Only from folders you tick

Never copied

Approval flow (Activate Approval of files (submittals))

Never carries over

Never carries over

Access needed

Manager or higher on the destination project, Admin on the source project

Manager or higher on the destination project

Where templates come from

Any project you have Admin access on

Personal, Public, or Project template library


The Import dialog refers to folder templates as "test paradigm." This is internal naming, not a separate feature.


Troubleshooting

Problem

Cause

Solution

A project I need isn't available when copying from another project

You don't have Admin access on that source project

Ask a company Admin to grant you Admin access on the source project, or have someone with Admin access there perform the copy

Files are missing after copying from another project

The folder's checkbox wasn't ticked in the Copy files from other project dialog

Repeat the copy and tick the checkbox for every folder whose files you need

Approval settings are missing on the new project's folders

Approval flow never carries over with either copy or import

Turn on Activate Approval of files (submittals) manually on the new project's folders


Quick facts

  • Requires: Manager or higher on the destination project; Admin on the source project when copying from another project
  • Location: Files module - Menu - Folder structure - Advanced options
  • Affects: Project folder structure, and files when using Copy files and folders from other project

Updated on: 07/06/2026

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