Canvas: Instructions on how to import previously exported course content

Task:

This article describes how to import Moodle or Blackboard course content into Canvas. This article assumes that you have exported your course and have an exported course zip file. Do not open the exported zip file.  If you do open the zip file it will not import properly. You will have to locate the originally downloaded zip file and use that copy to import into Canvas. 

If you need assistance with importing your file, please attend a drop-in office hours session.  See the AT Training calendar for an upcoming session.  https://at-training.unh.edu/apps/ssr?action=sessions

Instructions:

To import course content into Canvas:

  1. Go to Canvas and locate the course you want to import the Moodle or Blackboard course into.
  2. In Course Menu, click the Settings link (bottom-left).
  3. Click the Import Content into this Course button (usually top-right, but on mobile devices, you may need to scroll down).
  4. In the drop-down menu, select the Moodle 1.9/2.x or Blackboard 6/7/8/9 export .zip file option.
  5. For Source, choose the .mbz or .zip file you exported from Moodle or Blackboard.
  6. For Content, select "All Content".  You can remove or edit content after you imported it.
  7. Click the Import button.
    1. The Current Jobs menu will display the status of your import. Running import will display a menu bar with the time remaining to generate the report.  The import process should complete within a couple of minutes. 
  8. Once the import is complete, click on the Course Menu area, to see the imported content.  For example, click on Modules to see the course content, or click on Assignments to see any assignments.

 

Note:  Not all Moodle or Blackboard tools are available in Canvas.  For example, Wikis and Blogs are not in Canvas, therefore these tools and content will not be imported into the course.  You also may find that some images and videos will not display properly and you will have to edit the content.  Moodle rubrics will also not import, so they must be rebuilt into the course.

Outcome:

Users should expect to learn how to import previously exported course content in Canvas.

Need additional help?

Please use this link to the Technology Help Desk to locate your local campus contact information. 

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