I'm cloning a large number of existing NPCs for my mod. It's not hard work, but the sheer tediousness of copying each and every one of their linked references is weary work. Does anyone know a way to copy linked refs, or copy the actors with refs intact?

Using TES5Edit:

After multiselecting (Ctrl+Click) the chain from within your plugin, R-Click > copy all of them "Copy as new record into..." "New Plugin", adding the necessary masters when prompted. In the new plugin hit '*' after selecting the plugin in the left panel. Click the first REFR or ACHR form, scroll down to the last and Shift-Click it to multiselect all of them, then R-Click > "Change FormID to..." > "Original plugin.esp". You'll be prompted to auto update reference information at which time you'd want everything in the box checked (R-Click > "Select All"). From there, the copied chain will be updated to retain the links, but as a separate chain (all will be injecting into Original Plugin.esp). While everything in the left panel is still selected, R-Click > "Copy as override into..." > Original Plugin.esp.

Oh! If they're all in the same cell, you could multiselect them all in the CK, then Ctrl+D to duplicate the lot of 'em.