How to Import Content Into Your Canvas Course

Owned by Virginia Oelkers
Last updated: May 20, 2024
4 min read

Some professors may want to import content from a previous semester’s Canvas course into the current semester’s course. Please note that you may only import content from your own Canvas courses. Importing content from other professors course’s would be a copyright violation if it is done without the other party’s knowledge.

There are two main ways to do this. If the course you would like to copy from is still within Canvas and has not been archived yet (must be 4 years old or newer) you can follow Option 1 to copy directly from the course. If you have an exported version of the course saved to your files, please follow Option 2.

Option 1:

  1. Navigate to your new course, the course that you would like to copy content into.

  2. From the Course’s Home page, you should see a button at the top right that says “Import Existing Content.”


    You could also click Settings from the lefthand navigation bar, then “Import Course Content.”

     

  3. Now on the Import page, you will need to select the Content Type. There are several options available, but the most commonly selected option will be to “Copy a Canvas Course.”

     

  4. In order to ensure you copy from the right course, it is recommended that you search using the SIS ID of the course you would like to copy from. To get that SIS ID:

    1. Navigate to the course you would like to copy from.

    2. Click Settings on the lefthand navigation bar.

    3. Copy what is listed next to “SIS ID.”

  5. Leave the box checked that says “Include completed courses.”

  6. Select “All content” or “Select specific content”.

  7. If you check the box to “Adjust events and due dates,” you will have the option to adjust the dates or remove them completely.

  8. When you are ready, click Import. You will see the job listed below. It may take several minutes depending on how much content is being copied over.

  9. If you selected the option to copy specific content only, you will now need to “Select Content.”

     

  10. There are many specific aspects of your course that you can choose to copy over. Check the box next to the items you would like to copy. Click the arrow icon to expand the dropdowns and choose specific modules, assignments, quizzes, announcements, etc.

  11. After everything has been selected, click Select Content.

     

  12. You will see the job listed below. It may take several minutes depending on how much content is being copied over.

There is also an instructional video that covers this content: Course Import Video

 

Option 2:

  1. Open Settings

  1. In Course Navigation, click the Settings link.

  2. Import Content into Course

  1. Click the Import Course Content link.

  2. Select Content Type

  1. In the Content Type drop-down menu, choose the Canvas Course Export Package option.

  2. Choose File

  1. Click the Choose File button.

  2. Open File

  1. Choose the .imscc file you want to import [1]. Click the Open button [2].

  2. Select Migration Content

  1. To import all content from the course, select the All Content radio button [1]. If you want to select specific content, click the Select specific content radio button [2].

Notes:

  • If you select the specific content option, you are required to select the content you want to import after you review the remaining page options. After you start importing the content, the import selection cannot be canceled.  

  • If you select the specific content option, linked files and images in course content, such as in assignments, discussions, and pages, are not retained.

  1. Adjust Events and Due Dates

If you want to adjust the due dates associated with the course events and assignments, click the Adjust events and due dates checkbox.

  1. View Content Import Warning Message

  1. 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.

  2. Import Course

Click the Import button [1].

A progress indicator displays the upload status by percentage [2].

  1. View Current Jobs

The Current Jobs section displays the status of your import. Running reports display a progress bar indicating the time remaining to complete the import [1].

If you chose to select specific content in your course, the current job will show as Waiting for Select [2], which means you must select the content you want to import.

View the content from any completed imports by accessing any link in Course Navigation.