# Reuse one diagram on many pages

The alternative is copying, and a copied diagram drifts. Reuse keeps one source and many views of it.

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## Reuse or copy

| **Reuse**        | **Copy**                               |                                        |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| **Updates**      | Change the source, every page follows. | Each copy updated separately.          |
| **Independence** | None; they are the same diagram.       | Total; they diverge freely.            |
| **Use when**     | One canonical picture, shown widely.   | A starting point you intend to change. |

## How to

Insert a diagram reference and point it at the diagram you want. It renders exactly as the original, and follows it. See also [Diagram templates](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/diagram-templates.html) for the copy case.

⚠️

**Deleting the source page breaks every reference to it.** Keep canonical diagrams on a page that will not be deleted, or file them in the diagram library instead.

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## A few things that catch people out

* A reader who cannot see the source page cannot see the diagram, even on a page they can read.
* Editing through a reference edits the original, which is the point, and occasionally a surprise.
* For diagrams meant to be reused widely, put them in the library. See [Administration](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/administration.html).

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## Related

[Diagram templatesWhen you want a copy instead.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/diagram-templates.html)

[AdministrationThe shared diagram library.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/administration.html)

[Find diagrams on your pagesLocating the source.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/find-and-reuse.html)

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_One source, updated once._