> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://copy-cat.in/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Copy files by pasting a filename list into Copycat

> Paste or import a plain-text list of filenames and Copycat will find and copy the matching files from your RAW source folder to a destination you choose.

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.

## Supported input formats

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Plain text" icon="align-left">
    One filename per line. Extensions are optional — see the filename tips below.
  </Card>

  <Card title="CSV file" icon="table">
    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.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Run a Paste mode copy

<Steps>
  <Step title="Switch to Paste mode">
    Open Copycat and click the **Copy** tab. Select **Paste** from the mode selector at the top of the panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Destination folder">
    Select where you want the matched files copied. Copycat creates the folder if it doesn't exist.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Paste text">
        Type or paste filenames directly into the input area, one per line:

        ```text theme={null}
        DSC_0042
        DSC_0107
        DSC_0253.CR3
        ```
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Import CSV">
        Click **Import CSV**, select your file, and enable **CSV has header row** if the first line is a column heading rather than a filename.

        Copycat reads the first column of each data row as the filename.
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Run">
    Copycat indexes the source folder against your list and begins copying matches. Progress updates in real time.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the results">
    The results grid shows each requested filename with a status:

    | Status      | Meaning                                                                       |
    | ----------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Ok**      | Match found and file copied successfully.                                     |
    | **Miss**    | No file with a matching stem (or extension, if provided) found in the source. |
    | **Skipped** | File already exists at the destination; copy was skipped.                     |
    | **Error**   | File found but could not be copied.                                           |
  </Step>
</Steps>

## 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.

<Note>
  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.
</Note>

<Tip>
  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.
</Tip>