Moving and copying sections Moving and copying sections

Moving and copying sections

Tangelo documents have a hierarchical structure allowing section reordering within the same level using "Move" or across levels/parents using "Cut/Copy" and "Paste" or "Paste as." "Cut" preserves cross-references and removes the original, while "Copy" duplicates without transferring references. "Paste" keeps the section type; "Paste as" changes it. Always verify level compatibility, layout, features, and cross-references after moving sections. Creating document copies before major changes is recommended.

In Tangelo, every document has a hierarchical structure — sections, chapters, paragraphs, subparagraphs, and so on — visible in the table of contents panel. You can reorder sections within the same level, or reorganise them across levels and parent sections, using the section menu.

Before making large structural changes
When planning large structural changes we recommend creating a copy of your document first — either as a roll-forward or a new version. This lets you experiment safely and compare the result with the original.
→ Roll forward a document
→ Document version control

Moving a section within the same level

To reorder a section among its siblings (sections at the same level, under the same parent), use the Move option.

  1. In the table of contents, click the ≡ icon next to the section you want to move.
  2. Choose Move and select a direction:
    • To top – places the section first within its parent
    • Up – moves the section one position up
    • Down – moves the section one position down
    • To bottom – places the section last within its parent

If Up or Down are greyed out, the section is already at the top or bottom of its level.

Moving or copying a section to a different parent or a different level

When you need to move a section to a different parent — either at the same level or at a different level in the hierarchy — use Cut (or Copy) followed by either Paste or Paste as. The choice between these two options determines whether the section keeps its current type or takes on a new one.

Cut vs. Copy — which should you use?

Option What it does When to use it
Cut Removes the section from its current location. Any cross-references from other sections in the document are preserved and follow the moved content. Most situations — when you want to move a section without leaving a duplicate behind.
Copy Leaves the original section in place. Cross-references are not transferred — they continue to point to the original. When you intentionally need a duplicate, or want to use the section as a template for a new location.

Moving or copying to a different parent at the same level (Paste)

Use Paste when you want the section to keep its current type (paragraph, subparagraph, etc.) and simply appear under a different parent section.

Example: Moving a paragraph from chapter 2 to chapter 4, keeping it as a paragraph.

  1. Click ≡ next to the section you want to move and choose Cut (or Copy).
  2. Navigate to the parent section where the section should appear. For a paragraph, this would be the target chapter; for a subparagraph, the target paragraph.
  3. Click ≡ next to the parent section and choose Paste.

    The section is inserted at the same level as the parent's existing children, preserving its original section type.
  4. If needed, use Move > Up or Move > Down to place it in the right order.

Paste at the parent level
A common mistake is opening the menu on the wrong section. Always paste from the parent you want the section to sit inside — not on a sibling section.

Moving to a different level (Paste as)

Use Paste as when you want to change the section's level — for example, converting a paragraph into a subparagraph, or promoting a subparagraph to a paragraph. The section's content is preserved; only its type in the hierarchy changes.

Example: Demoting a paragraph to a subparagraph under a different parent paragraph.

  1. Click ≡ next to the section you want to move and choose Cut (or Copy).
  2. Navigate to the parent section under which the section should appear at its new level. For example, if the section should become a subparagraph, navigate to the target paragraph.
  3. Click ≡ next to the parent section, choose Paste as, and select the desired level (for example, Paragraph, Subparagraph, or Chapter).
    The section is inserted as the last item under the parent at the chosen level.
  4. If needed, use Move > Up or Move > Down to place it in the correct position.

Child sections move with the parent
When you move a section using Cut + Paste or Paste as, all of its child sections (subparagraphs, sub-subparagraphs, and so on) are moved along with it automatically.

Quick reference: Paste vs. Paste as

Goal Action Where to paste
Move to a different parent, keep the same level Cut / Copy → Paste On the target parent section
Move to a different level (e.g. paragraph → subparagraph) Cut / Copy → Paste as → choose level On the target parent section
Reorder within the same parent Move → Up / Down / To top / To bottom On the section itself

Things to check before and after moving

Item What to verify
Level availability The destination must support the level you are pasting into. If a level is not available in the Paste as menu, the layout configuration for that section does not allow it.
Column layout If the source and destination sections have different column settings, content such as tables and images may need to be adjusted after moving.
Level-specific features Some features only exist at certain levels. For example, a chapter cover image cannot be moved to a paragraph, as paragraphs do not support cover images. Such elements will not be carried over.
Cross-references Using Cut preserves references from other sections. If you used Copy, verify that any cross-references point to the intended section.

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