Overview: Reference, Copy, and Move in Article Management

When organizing articles within a knowledge base or documentation system, it's important to understand the differences between referencing, duplicating (i.e. copying), and moving articles. Each method serves a distinct purpose and affects how articles are managed and updated across chapters or sections.

Key Terms

Reference

Referencing an article means displaying the same article in multiple chapters or locations. Any updates made to the referenced article will automatically appear everywhere the article is referenced.

• One article appears in multiple places.
• Updates are reflected in all locations.
• Useful for maintaining consistency across chapters.

Copy

Copying (or duplicating) an article creates a separate, independent version of the original. Changes made to one copy do not affect the other. This is helpful when you want to use an existing article as a starting point but plan to modify it for a different purpose.

• Creates two distinct articles.
• Updates to one copy do not impact the other.
• Useful for adapting content to different needs.

Move

Moving an article simply changes its location from one chapter to another without creating any copies. The article itself remains unchanged; only its placement within the structure is updated.

• Relocates the original article.
• No new copies are made.
• Helps reorganize content structure.

Why It Matters

Understanding these differences ensures that you manage your documentation efficiently and avoid unintended duplication or loss of updates. Choosing the right method helps maintain consistency, save time, and organize content effectively.

• Prevents accidental overwriting or loss of changes.
• Supports efficient content management.
• Improves clarity and organization for both authors and readers.