How To Make A Copy In Kami: A Step-by-Step Duplication Guide

Duplicating a document in Kami requires creating an independent instance of an annotated or master PDF file directly within the app interface, Google Drive, or your Learning Management System (LMS). By utilizing the "Create My Own Copy" feature in Kami's save menu or enforcing automated template copying through Google Classroom or Canvas, users preserve original master files while granting clean editable rights. Execution takes under 30 seconds and prevents destructive editing across shared educational workspaces.

System Requirements & Pre-Duplication Planning

Before attempting to clone, duplicate, or distribute copies of interactive PDFs within Kami, ensure your browser environment, account authentication, and cloud storage permissions meet operational standards. Proper setup prevents document sync errors, missing annotations, and permission conflicts between instructors and students.

Essential Gear, Tools, and Software

• Supported Web Browser: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox (Chrome or Edge recommended for full extension hook functionality).
• Kami Extension: Installed Kami Google Chrome Extension (Version 2.0 or higher) with enabled file URL access permissions.
• Connected Cloud Storage: Active Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive account linked via OAuth2 single sign-on (SSO).
• Source Master Document: A supported file format including PDF, Microsoft Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), or image formats (.png, .jpeg) hosted on cloud storage or local storage.

Mandatory Prerequisite Standards

• Drive Access Permissions: Minimum "Viewer" rights on the original file (required to create a copy); "Editor" rights required if modifying the primary master file before duplicating.
• Account Provisioning: Standard Kami Free, Teacher, or Student License active on the signed-in profile.
• Browser Storage Space: At least 500 MB of local indexedDB browser cache available for temporary rendering during document cloning operations.

Deployment & Performance Benchmarks

• Preparation Duration: 1 to 2 minutes (one-time extension & OAuth setup).
• Duplication Execution Time: 15 to 30 seconds per document.
• Financial Overhead: $0 (Achievable on both Free tier and Premium LTI integrations).

Step-by-Step Kami Document Duplication Workflow

Duplicating files in Kami can be handled directly through the browser canvas, via cloud storage backends, or using Learning Management System (LMS) assignment tools. The following procedure detail the primary in-app workflow and secondary LMS deployment pathways.

Step 1: Open the Source Document in Kami Canvas

Launch your web browser and navigate to the Kami web interface or open the target file directly from Google Drive using the "Open with Kami" context menu option. Ensure the document loads completely with all existing text formatting, shapes, embedded media, and drawings rendered on the main viewing canvas.

Verify that your active user profile (displayed in the top right corner) matches the account intended to hold ownership of the cloned duplicate.

Warning: If you open a shared file using a direct link without proper write permissions, editing the document directly without making a copy first may result in lost work or failure to auto-save to your personal Google Drive.

Step 2: Access the Save and Export Management Panel

Locate the top horizontal navigation header inside the main Kami interface. Click on the Save icon, represented visually by a floppy disk symbol positioned between the "Share Document" and "Print" controls.

Opening this menu exposes the real-time cloud sync status, the current target directory path, and manual file control triggers.

Step 3: Execute the "Create My Own Copy" Command

Inside the Save modal dialog box, evaluate the file management options listed below the active sync status bar:

1. Locate the secondary action button labeled Create My Own Copy.
2. Click Create My Own Copy to initiate an isolated, background file duplication request via the Google Drive or OneDrive API.
3. If prompted by an authorization overlay, select your preferred target cloud account to grant Kami permission to write the new file instance to your cloud root directory.

Pro-Tip: If the master file contains collaborative annotations from other users that you do not want in your copy, clear or hide those annotation layers using the sidebar menu before initiating the "Create My Own Copy" command, or select "Export without Annotations" via the Export menu instead.

Step 4: Configure File Naming and Target Directory Pathing

Once the duplication process initializes, Kami will automatically open the newly generated file instance in a fresh browser tab.

1. Click on the file title bar in the top-left area of the header menu.
2. Rename the document to differentiate it from the original source file (e.g., append _Copy or _StudentName to the master title).
3. Click the Folder icon next to the save status indicator to move the file out of the default root directory into a designated subject or project folder within your Google Drive or OneDrive architecture.

Step 5: Automated LMS Duplication for Student Distribution (Alternative Method)

If you are an educator distributing a document to multiple students, manual duplication by each student can be bypassed entirely using LMS integration:

1. Open Google Classroom, Canvas, or Schoology and create a new Assignment.
2. Select Kami Assignment from the external tool or attachment menu.
3. Select your master PDF file from Google Drive.
4. Set the access parameter dropdown to Make a Copy for Each Student (Google Classroom) or enable the Kami External Tool (Canvas).
5. Publish the assignment. When students launch the assignment, Kami generates an individual, auto-named copy directly inside each student's personal cloud directory, linking submission back to the teacher dashboard.

Duplication Methods Comparison & Feature Matrix

Select the appropriate document duplication technique based on target ownership, permission parameters, and workflow requirements.

Resolving Common Duplication and Sync Failures

System misconfigurations, expired access tokens, and browser cache lockups can disrupt the file duplication sequence. Use the targeted solutions below to resolve common technical issues.

Scenario 1: The "Create My Own Copy" Option Is Missing or Disabled

• Root Cause: The active file is stored locally on the client machine instead of hosted on Google Drive/OneDrive, or the document was opened in an anonymous/logged-out session.
• Actionable Fix: Click the Export icon (top right arrow icon), select Google Drive or OneDrive as the destination, check the With all annotations box, and click Begin Export. This uploads the local file into your cloud ecosystem as a distinct, personal file copy.

Scenario 2: Duplicating Overwrites or Erases Original Master File Annotations

• Root Cause: The user edited the master document directly under a shared "Editor" link before triggering the duplication step, causing live websocket sync to overwrite the source file.
• Actionable Fix: Access Google Drive, right-click the master file, select Manage Versions (or Version History), and restore the file state to a timestamp prior to the editing session. Ensure future workflows utilize the /copy URL modification parameter or standard LMS assignment cloning to enforce copy-on-open behavior.

Scenario 3: Students Encounter a "Permission Denied" Error When Opening Copies

• Root Cause: Master file permissions in Google Drive are restricted to "Restricted" rather than "Anyone with the link can view," blocking the Kami API from reading the original template file during background cloning.
• Actionable Fix: Open the parent master file in Google Drive, click Share, change access settings to Anyone with the link set to Viewer, and click Save. Re-assign or re-share the document through Kami.

Scenario 4: "Sync Failed" Error Appears During Copy Generation

• Root Cause: Third-party cookie blocking, active ad-blockers, or stale OAuth2 authorization tokens blocking communication with Kami's cloud service endpoints (*.kamihq.com).
• Actionable Fix: Disable content blockers on the Kami domain, clear browser site data for app.kamihq.com, navigate to profile options, select Profile Options -> Linked Accounts, and re-authenticate your Google Drive or Microsoft account connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does making a copy in Kami duplicate existing text highlights and voice comments?

Yes, when using the in-app "Create My Own Copy" function or exporting a copy, Kami duplicates all existing text elements, drawings, voice annotations, and embedded media. If you wish to remove these elements from your copy, choose the Export menu option and clear the annotation layers or select Export Original File without Annotations.

How do I force users to automatically make a copy of a Kami document via a shareable link?

To force a copy via link sharing, copy the standard Google Drive share link for your underlying file, locate the /edit or /view segment at the end of the URL, replace that segment with /copy, and share the updated link. When clicked, users are forced to create a clean copy in their Drive before opening it in Kami.

Can I duplicate a locked or read-only PDF document in Kami?

Yes. Read-only permissions on a master file restrict you from modifying the original file, but they do not prevent you from making a personal duplicate. Use the Save -> Create My Own Copy workflow inside Kami or right-click the file in Google Drive and select Make a Copy to bypass editing restrictions.

Where is my duplicated Kami document saved on my computer?

By default, Kami saves duplicated files to your linked Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive cloud account inside the root directory or a system-generated folder named "Kami Exports." If you are working off a local drive without cloud integration, the copy is stored in your web browser's local download location.

What happens to the original master file when a student edits their copy?

When a student edits their personal copy, the original master file remains completely unaffected. The copy exists as a discrete file entity with a unique file ID on Google Drive or OneDrive, isolating all subsequent edits, comments, and drawings to the student's personal instance.

Streamline Educational Workflows with Native Integrations

Mastering document replication in Kami protects your primary educational resources while providing seamless, editable templates across digital learning environments. Take full advantage of Kami's cloud architecture by pairing automated LMS duplication tools with structured folder management to elevate your remote and classroom instruction.