Duplicate Menu (CC) User Guide

Last updated: 5th May 2026 for Duplicate Menu (CC) version 1.0

Table of Contents

Overview

Duplicate Menu (CC) allows you to duplicate any WordPress navigation menu directly from the menu editor.

With a single click, the plugin creates a full, independent copy of your menu, including all items, structure and hierarchy.

This makes it ideal for testing changes, restructuring navigation or creating variations without affecting your live site.

Where to Find the Duplicate Menu Button

After installing and activating the plugin:

  1. Go to Appearance → Menus
  2. Select or edit an existing menu

You will see two options:

  • Duplicate Menu (quick action)
  • Duplicate with options (enhanced modal)

These appear between:

  • Save Menu
  • Delete Menu

How to Duplicate a Menu (Quick Method)

  1. Navigate to Appearance → Menus
  2. Select the menu you want to duplicate
  3. Click Duplicate Menu
  4. Wait briefly while the menu is copied
  5. You will be redirected to the new menu

How to Duplicate a Menu with Options

Click Duplicate with options to open the duplication modal.

In the free version, you can:

  • Enter a custom menu name
  • Duplicate the menu using that name

If no name is entered, the plugin will use the default naming format.

What Happens When a Menu is Duplicated

When duplicating a menu, Duplicate Menu (CC):

  • Creates a new menu
  • Uses either:
    • Your custom name
    • Or the original name with (copy) appended
  • Duplicates all menu items
  • Preserves:
    • Hierarchy
    • Order
    • Labels and links
  • Creates new menu items, not references

Result

Changes made to the duplicated menu do not affect the original.

Naming Behaviour

If a menu with the same name already exists, the plugin automatically generates a unique name:

  • Main Menu (copy)
  • Main Menu (copy 2)
  • Main Menu (copy 3)

Common Use Cases

Testing new layouts

Safely experiment without affecting your live navigation.

Creating variations

Useful for:

  • Landing pages
  • Campaigns
  • Different user journeys

Reusing complex menus

Avoid rebuilding large menu structures manually.

Creating secondary menus

Adapt menus for:

  • Mobile navigation
  • Footer menus
  • Simplified layouts

Behaviour Notes

  • Works only within the WordPress admin area
  • Buttons appear only when editing a menu
  • No menu selected = no button displayed
  • Duplicated menu opens automatically

Security and Permissions

  • Requires permission to manage menus
  • Uses standard WordPress security mechanisms
  • No external services are used
  • Fully privacy-focused

Developer Notes

Duplicate Menu (CC) includes hooks and filters for developers.

These allow you to:

  • Modify menu item data
  • Exclude metadata
  • Extend duplication behaviour

See the Hooks Reference documentation for full details.

Troubleshooting

Duplicate button not visible

  • Ensure a menu is selected
  • Confirm you are on Appearance → Menus
  • Check the plugin is active

Menu not duplicating

  • Refresh and try again
  • Check user permissions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this overwrite my existing menu?

No. A new menu is always created.

Are menu items linked between menus?

No. They are completely independent.

Are nested menus supported?

Yes. Full hierarchy is preserved.

Does it support all menu item types?

Yes. Pages, categories and custom links are all supported.

Extending Functionality with Pro

Duplicate Menu (CC) is designed to be simple and reliable.

For more advanced workflows, Duplicate Menu (CC) Pro adds:

  • Bulk duplication
  • Menu templates
  • Import and export tools
  • URL replacement rules
  • Advanced duplication controls

These features are particularly useful for developers, agencies and larger sites.

Next Steps

Once duplicated, you can:

  • Rename the menu
  • Assign it to a theme location
  • Modify structure and links
  • Create variations for different contexts