This is exactly the kind of problem that looks like a simple copy-paste fix but quietly costs you hours of manual rework every time a column shifts. The user is asking for a way to hard-paste data from one template to another without caring about column positions, and they're smart to want a light solution that doesn't add more load to already chugging workbooks.
The core insight here is that column position is an accident of layout, not a reliable identifier of what the data actually means. When you tell VBA to copy columns B through K, you're hardcoding a relationship that breaks the moment someone inserts a column in the destination template. The user's instinct to consider identifier columns is the right one. A hidden row or a dedicated header row with stable, unique names, like "CustomerID," "OrderDate," "Amount", lets your code look up the column by name instead of by letter. That lookup step adds a tiny bit of complexity up front, but it removes the brittleness entirely. The code becomes resilient to column inserts, reordering, and template drift.
Power Query could do this, but the user is right to hesitate. If both workbooks are already straining under their existing load, adding another query layer, especially one that refreshes on open, can turn a chug into a freeze. A lightweight VBA approach using named ranges or a hidden mapping row is faster to run, easier to debug, and doesn't introduce external dependencies. The key is to keep the mapping logic lean: loop through the headers once to build a dictionary, then use that dictionary to match columns between source and destination. No external links, no query engine overhead, just a direct value paste by column name.
The practical takeaway is this: stop coding to column letters and start coding to column meaning. It's a small shift in how you write the macro, but it turns a fragile script into a durable one that survives template changes without you having to reopen the editor. That's the kind of efficiency gain that pays for itself the first time someone adds a column.