What is the Course Import Tool?

The Course Import Tool makes it easy to extract course content, assignments, and quizzes from previous terms and quickly import them into existing courses. The same tool is used to import course materials from different Learning Management Systems. Some limitations apply to course imports.

Notes:

  • Importing courses and course files count against course file quotas. However, copying existing Canvas courses and course files reference the original Canvas course file quota and do not count against course file quotas. Learn about copying Canvas courses and course items.
  • If you import LTI content from a course, the external tool may need to be reconfigured in the course that receives the content in order for that content to be accessible.

00:07: What is the course? Import tool. 00:10: In global navigation, click the courses link. 00:14: Then click the name of the course. 00:17: In course, navigation, click the settings link 00:21: Click the import course, content button. 00:24: The course, import tool allows you to do any of the following Import 00:28: all content or choose specific content to copy from another canvas course, 00:32: import a canvas course, export package or courses 00:36: that were previously exported from canvas. 00:38: Import a zip file of assignments files course 00:42: content Etc, into an existing folder. 00:45: Import an angel export zip format import, a Blackboard 00:49: 67 8/9 export, sip file, import, 00:53: a Blackboard Vista CE web. 00:56: Connecticut, 6 Plus course import, a common cartridge, 1.0 01:01: 1.1, 1.2 package, imported 01:05: desire to learn D2L, export zip, format 01:09: import a Moodle 1.925 01:18: When importing content, the tool allows you to import all content or 01:22: select specific content. This feature is useful for institutions 01:26: or instructors who only want to copy specific elements of a course such 01:30: as assignments or modules. The following behaviors currently apply 01:34: to Canvas copies or Imports. Draft State settings are retained, 01:38: in course, Imports. If an assignment is unpublished in a course, 01:43: when it was copied or exported, the assignment will also be unpublished in 01:47: the content import Mastery paths, conditional items are not retained 01:51: in course, Imports. And paths must be recreated. 01:54: After the import is completed copying content retains, any links 01:58: or files associated with the content such as in an assignment. 02:01: When selecting a assignments, only canvas Imports all assessment 02:06: items within the assignments, page, including any Associated quizzes 02:10: and discussions. Assignments will remain in their assignment groups if 02:14: an entire assignment group were all assignments. 02:16: Are imported sco? RM content is included, in course, copies 02:20: s c. O r m content should only be copied within accounts that 02:24: use the same key in secret configuration. 02:27: When manually copying a course, the user who copies, the course 02:31: will automatically be added to the course with an instructor role When selecting 02:35: specific content and only importing a new quiz. 02:38: With stimulus question, the images associated with the stimulus. 02:41: Question do not automatically important and need to be selected for import at the 02:45: same time. 02:48: The following behaviors also apply to Canvas copies or Imports. 02:52: Group sets do not copy as part of the import. 02:55: Any existing group sets, in a new course, will be linked to the group set with the same 02:59: name. However, if there are no groupsets with the same name in 03:03: the new course, the assignment will be linked to a new project group set importing 03:08: specific content from a canvas course. 03:10: Export package does not retain images and linked files in the content, such 03:15: as an assignment page or discussion. 03:17: When selecting individual assignments, assignments are placed 03:21: in an assignment group called imported assignments. 03:25: However a science can be moved into other assignment groups as necessary. 03:29: Enrollment related data which includes course users collaborations 03:34: conferences groups and sections and feature. 03:37: Options settings are not included in course, content Imports announcements 03:42: and discussions. Do not retain the name of the user who originally created the course 03:46: content. Additionally, students do not receive announcement 03:50: notifications for imported announcements. 03:52: However, a badge, indicating a new announcement displays on the 03:56: card View. And recent activity, dashboards assignments, with a manual 04:00: grade posting policy in Anonymous, assignments retain the manual, grade posting 04:04: policy in their Anonymous settings as part of the course, important calendar. 04:08: Item locations EG office hours slots with an assigned office 04:12: location are not included. In course Imports. 04:17: In addition, to recreating the structure and content of the course, the course, 04:21: import tool can adjust events and due dates to the new date ranges of the new term. 04:27: When importing content a message displays explaining that importing the same 04:31: course content or export package, more than once overrides any, existing content 04:35: in the course, 04:38: Once you have started an import, the current jobs menu, displays the job 04:42: status of any Imports and process as well as any prior import history. 04:48: This guide covered the course, import tool.

When would I use the Course Import Tool?

You can use the Course Import Tool to:

  • Copy course content from term to term, including Announcements and Discussions. You can adjust the events and due dates to coordinate with your current term.
  • Select specific content you want copied. You can select individual Assignments, Pages, Files, and anything else from previous courses you or your colleagues have taught. The Course Import Tool supports keyboard navigation when selecting content to import.
  • Import course materials from different Learning Management Systems. The Course Import Tool does not import user content.

Note: Importing a course more than once may have unintended consequences. If you import content into a new course, edit the content in the new course, and later import the previous content again, the imported content will override the existing content.

How do I use the Course Import Tool?

Open Course

In Global Navigation, click the Courses link [1], then click the name of the course [2].

Open Settings

Open Settings

In Course Navigation, click the Settings link.

Open Course Import Tool

Open Course Import Tool

Click the Import Course Content button.

Note: You can also open the Course Import Tool from Course Navigation by clicking the Home link, then clicking the Import Existing Content button.

Choose Import Source

Choose Import Source

The Course Import Tool allows you to do any of the following:

Import Content

Import Content

When importing content, the tool allows you to import all content or select specific content. This feature is useful for institutions or instructors who only want to copy specific elements of a course, such as assignments or modules.

The following behaviors currently apply to Canvas copies or imports:

  • Draft State settings are retained in course imports. If an assignment is unpublished in a course when it was copied or exported, the assignment will also be unpublished in the content import.
  • Mastery Paths conditional items are not retained in course imports, and paths must be re-created after the import is completed.
  • Copying content retains any links or files associated with the content, such as in an assignment.
  • When selecting assignments only, Canvas imports all assessment items within the Assignments page (including any associated quizzes and discussions). Assignments will remain in their assignment groups if an entire assignment group or all assignments are imported.
  • SCORM content is included in course copies. SCORM content should only be copied within accounts that use the same key and secret configuration.
  • When manually copying a course, the user who copies the course will automatically be added to the course with an instructor role.
  • When selecting specific content and only importing a New Quiz with stimulus questions, the images associated with the stimulus question do not automatically import and need to be selected for import at the same time.

Import Limitations

The following behaviors also apply to Canvas copies or imports:

  • Group sets do not copy as part of the import. Any existing group sets in the new course will be linked to the group set with the same name. However, if there are no group sets with the same name in the new course, the assignment will be linked to a new Project Groups set.
  • Importing specific content from a Canvas course export package does not retain images and linked files in the content, such as in an assignment, page, or discussion.
  • When selecting individual assignments, assignments are placed in an assignment group called Imported Assignments. However, assignments can be moved into other assignment groups as necessary.
  • Enrollment-related data, which includes course users, collaborations, conferences, groups, and sections, and feature option settings are not included in course content imports.
  • Announcements and Discussions do not retain the name of the user who originally created the course content. Additionally, students do not receive announcement notifications for imported announcements. However, a badge indicating a new announcement displays on the Card View and Recent Activity Dashboards.
  • Assignments with a manual grade posting policy and anonymous assignments retain the manual grade posting policy and their anonymous settings as part of the course import.
  • Calendar item locations (e.g., office hours slots with an assigned office location) are not included in course imports.

Adjust Events and Due Dates

Adjust Events and Due Dates

In addition to recreating the structure and content of the course, the Course Import Tool can adjust events and due dates to the new date ranges of the new term.

View Content Import Warning Message

View Content Import Warning Message

When importing content, a message displays explaining that importing the same course content or export package more than once overwrites any existing content in the course.

View Current and Prior Imports

View Current and Prior Imports

Once you have started an import, the Current Jobs menu displays the job status of any imports in process, as well as any prior import history.