This has been driving me nuts for eons - duplicate a race, cell, whatever and change the NAME, but then there's no option to change the editor ID number in the first column. The way I have been doing it is by repeatedly clicking the first block where it says "cellnameCOPY0000*" and hitting backspace until it finally opens up a text box to ttype in the new name. Sometimes I get lucky and get the text box after a few tries, but more often I spend several minutes trying to get it open. Is there a trick to this or a "sweet spot" to click on so you can change the first block editor ID without all the aggravation? Or does everyone just live with the COPY0001 etc. and not bother?

I have never noticed this. I can't remember any issues, but I only made a few mods for Oblivion. I am always in the habit of changing the FormID of any item I am duplicating. But, then again, I don't remember making a copy of it before working on it, but saving it under a new name while working on it (or before starting to work on it). That may be the difference.

Edit: In fact the first thing I would do upon opening the item is give it a new FormID before making any changes, then it would ask me if it wanted me to save the changes with that new ID when I closed the item.

Mmm, no, you can do that for armor weapons clothes and assorted bling, in fact that's exactly how I make new weapons/armor/rings and amulets. Doesn't work for races or cells though.

Right click and select EDIT you can edit the name, no option to edit the editorID anywhere I can find. The only way to edit that is to click and hit backspace over and over until it wakes up and says "hey, maybe he wants to change this!"

It works eventually, but when you're trying to duplicate a bunch of cells it takes forever. There must be an easier way or the game would still be in development.

EDIT: so much for picture illustration, this idiot forum is telling me I don't have permission to attach links.