How to Copy Load Combinations and Cases from One Etabs Model to Another?

Happy Pachani BIM Expert · Pinnacle IIT

⏱ 3 min read

To copy load cases and load combinations from one Etabs model to another, You have to follow certain steps. These steps are:

To Copy Load Combinations and Cases, you have follow few steps:

1. Open Source and Destination Files:

Open both the source ETABS file (the one you want to copy from) and the destination ETABS file (the one you want to copy to).

Image: 2 different Etabs files

India Best BIM Course

2. Navigate to Load Cases Tab:

In both ETABS files, go to the “Load Cases” tab. This tab contains the load cases and load combinations.

Image: Go to the Load Cases and Load Combinations

3. Open the $et files:

Open the $et files of both the models and go to the load cases and load combinations section section.

Image: Open the $et Files

BIM Career Abroad

4. Select Load Cases and Combinations:

In the source ETABS file, select the load cases and load combinations that you want to copy. You can use the Ctrl or Shift key to select multiple items.

5. Copy Items:

Right-click on the selected items and choose the “Copy” option, or use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+C.

6. Switch to Destination File:

Switch to the destination ETABS file.

7. Go to Load Cases Tab:

In the destination ETABS file, navigate to the “Load Cases” tab.

8. Paste Items:

Right-click in the empty space and choose the “Paste” option, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V. Paste the copied text under the Generalized Displacements.

Image: Copy the Load Cases and Load Combinations

9. Save Destination File:

Save the destination ETABS file to preserve the changes. Use the “Save” option from the file menu or the Ctrl+S keyboard shortcut.

Import Modified ETABS File (Optional):

If you want to open a new ETABS model with the copied load cases and combinations:

  1. Close the destination ETABS file.
  2. Open a new ETABS instance.
  3. Go to the file menu and choose the “Import” option.
  4. Locate the modified ETABS file (the one saved in step 9) and select it.
  5. Follow the import wizard prompts to bring in the ETABS model with the copied load cases and load combinations.

Image: Import the Etabs file

These steps should help you efficiently copy load cases and load combinations between ETABS files.

For more insights into the world of engineering and construction, delve into the Pinnacle IIT Blogs, where innovation meets practicality.

Discover more about how we’re shaping the future of infrastructure and design at Pinnacle IIT.

Happy Pachani BIM Expert · Pinnacle IIT

Currently based in the United States | Happy Pachani is a BIM content specialist at Pinnacle IIT writing from the US construction market. With 196+ published articles, she covers BIM workflows, Revit, international career paths, and what it actually takes to land a BIM job abroad. Her writing bridges India's engineering talent with global industry standards — drawing from firsthand experience in one of the world's most advanced BIM markets.

← Previous Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi `new update`: Inaugurated on… Next → OMRF and SMRF: What is the Main Difference?