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Paste mode lets you give Copycat an explicit list of filenames and have it track down the matching files in your RAW archive. This is useful when a client sends you a numbered list of selects by email, when you export a selection list from another tool, or when you want to copy a specific set of files without going through a full vault workflow.

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Supported input formats

Plain text

One filename per line. Extensions are optional — see the filename tips below.

CSV file

Filenames read from the first column. Enable the “CSV has header row” toggle if your file has a header so Copycat skips the first line.

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Run a Paste mode copy

1

Switch to Paste mode

Open Copycat and click the Copy tab. Select Paste from the mode selector at the top of the panel.
2

Select the Source folder

Click the Source folder picker and choose your RAW archive. Copycat indexes this folder to find candidates. Sub-folders are included.
3

Choose a Destination folder

Select where you want the matched files copied. Copycat creates the folder if it doesn’t exist.
4

Paste your filename list

Click into the text area and paste your list directly, or use the Import CSV button to load a file from disk.
Type or paste filenames directly into the input area, one per line:
DSC_0042
DSC_0107
DSC_0253.CR3
5

Configure options

Two options are available before you run:
  • CSV has header row — skip the first line when reading a CSV. No effect on plain-text input.
  • Case-insensitive matching — match filenames regardless of capitalization. Useful when the list was generated on a different operating system or export tool.
6

Click Run

Copycat indexes the source folder against your list and begins copying matches. Progress updates in real time.
7

Review the results

The results grid shows each requested filename with a status:
StatusMeaning
OkMatch found and file copied successfully.
MissNo file with a matching stem (or extension, if provided) found in the source.
SkippedFile already exists at the destination; copy was skipped.
ErrorFile found but could not be copied.

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Filename format tips

How you format filenames in your list affects what Copycat copies:
  • Stem only (e.g., DSC_0042) — copies all files with that stem regardless of extension. If your source has DSC_0042.CR3 and DSC_0042.xmp, both are copied.
  • Stem and extension (e.g., DSC_0042.CR3) — copies only files with that exact extension. Other formats with the same stem are ignored.
The same match policy applies as in Reference mode. With Newest Only (the default), if multiple files share the same stem, only the file with the most recent modification date is copied. Switch to All if you want every matching file regardless of age.
Paste mode is a fast way to action a list a client emailed you. Copy the file numbers from the email, paste them into Copycat, point it at your RAW folder, and you’re done — no vault or selection workflow needed.