First of all we all appreciate if users seeking help are as verbose as they can be. Then our responses can be more precise. So until you correct me I am going to assume that you are using 5.1.x, and Place footprints with Replicate layout action plugins. But if you are using anything else, then my response might not be correct.
The Place footprints will place only anchor footprints of each hierarchical sheet in linear, circular or matrix layout. The anchor footprints are footprints for the same symbol in all the sheets. So if you want to “copy” footprint positions for all the sheets, there are two options.
If you want linear, circular or matrix layout:
- position the footprints for one sheet, you might also want to lay out copper traces, zones and other graphical items for this sheet
- select the footprint which will serve as a source(reference) anchor footprint
- Run the place footprints action plugin which will place destination anchor footprints
- select the footprint which will serve as a source(reference) anchor footprint
- Run the Replicate layout action plugin
If you want to lay out sheets differently:
- position the footprints for one sheet, you might also want to lay out copper traces, zones and other graphical items for this sheet
- Place the destination anchor footprints for other sheets manually. Currently plugin only supports if the destination anchor footprints are on the same layer as source anchor footprint
- Select the footprint which will serve as a source(reference) anchor footprint
- Run the Replicate layout action plugin
It is unclear to me in which step you have problems, so can you elaborate more on the topic. Have patience and keep in mind that for most of us English is not out primary language so we need more words to get the nuances across.