# Copying a DB parameter group in Amazon RDS
<a name="USER_WorkingWithParamGroups.Copying"></a>

You can copy custom DB parameter groups that you create. Copying a parameter group can be convenient solution. An example is when you have created a DB parameter group and want to include most of its custom parameters and values in a new DB parameter group. You can copy a DB parameter group by using the AWS Management Console. You can also use the AWS CLI [copy-db-parameter-group](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/rds/copy-db-parameter-group.html) command or the RDS API [CopyDBParameterGroup](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/APIReference/API_CopyDBParameterGroup.html) operation.

After you copy a DB parameter group, wait at least 5 minutes before creating your first DB instance that uses that DB parameter group as the default parameter group. Doing this allows Amazon RDS to fully complete the copy action before the parameter group is used. This is especially important for parameters that are critical when creating the default database for a DB instance. An example is the character set for the default database defined by the `character_set_database` parameter. Use the **Parameter Groups** option of the [Amazon RDS console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/rds/) or the [describe-db-parameters](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/rds/describe-db-parameters.html) command to verify that your DB parameter group is created.

**Note**  
You can't copy a default parameter group. However, you can create a new parameter group that is based on a default parameter group.  
You can't copy a DB parameter group to a different AWS account or AWS Region.

## Console
<a name="USER_WorkingWithParamGroups.Copying.CON"></a>

**To copy a DB parameter group**

1. Sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the Amazon RDS console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/rds/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/rds/).

1. In the navigation pane, choose **Parameter groups**.

1. In the list, choose the custom parameter group that you want to copy.

1. For **Parameter group actions**, choose **Copy**.

1. In **New DB parameter group identifier**, enter a name for the new parameter group.

1. In **Description**, enter a description for the new parameter group.

1. Choose **Copy**.

## AWS CLI
<a name="USER_WorkingWithParamGroups.Copying.CLI"></a>

To copy a DB parameter group, use the AWS CLI [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/rds/copy-db-parameter-group.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/rds/copy-db-parameter-group.html) command with the following required options:
+ `--source-db-parameter-group-identifier`
+ `--target-db-parameter-group-identifier`
+ `--target-db-parameter-group-description`

The following example creates a new DB parameter group named `mygroup2` that is a copy of the DB parameter group `mygroup1`.

**Example**  
For Linux, macOS, or Unix:  

```
aws rds copy-db-parameter-group \
    --source-db-parameter-group-identifier mygroup1 \
    --target-db-parameter-group-identifier mygroup2 \
    --target-db-parameter-group-description "DB parameter group 2"
```
For Windows:  

```
aws rds copy-db-parameter-group ^
    --source-db-parameter-group-identifier mygroup1 ^
    --target-db-parameter-group-identifier mygroup2 ^
    --target-db-parameter-group-description "DB parameter group 2"
```

## RDS API
<a name="USER_WorkingWithParamGroups.Copying.API"></a>

To copy a DB parameter group, use the RDS API [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/APIReference/API_CopyDBParameterGroup.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/APIReference/API_CopyDBParameterGroup.html) operation with the following required parameters:
+ `SourceDBParameterGroupIdentifier`
+ `TargetDBParameterGroupIdentifier`
+ `TargetDBParameterGroupDescription`