Canvas: Course Copy - Adjust Dates

This article describes the process of adjusting dates when copying a course in Canvas.

Task: This article describes how to automatically adjust assignment due dates when doing a course copy.

Instructions:

To Adjust Dates:

When using the Import Content tool in Canvas to copy course content from one term to another you can use the Adjust Dates function to have the system automatically shift the due dates in the original course to match the new term. For example, if you had something due on the 2nd Monday of Fall Term and import the course to Spring Term, proper use of adjust dates will have that assignment due on the 2nd Monday of Spring Term.

The tool will move all dates, but not account for any special considerations like Holidays or Spring Break. You can make those date adjustments after doing the content import by dragging and dropping the activities on the calendar or editing the assignment details.

For full details on how to use the Import Content tool go to: Canvas using Course Copy

To use the Adjust Dates option follow the steps below. It is critical that you use the right dates in steps 4 and 5 to get the correct results. If you are copying a course from Fall 2015 to Spring 2016, the dates are listed in the steps and shown in the image below.

1. Check the "Adjust events and due dates" box in Options.
2. Confirm the "Shift Dates" option is selected for Date Adjustment. See the attached document below for a list of semester start and end dates
3. Enter the Beginning and End Dates for the previously taught term in the left column of dates. You may have to overwrite dates defaulted by the system, it is important you do this! The dates should be the official term start and end dates
4. Enter the Beginning and End Dates for the upcoming term in the right column of dates. Again, you may have to overwrite dates defaulted by the system, and it is important you do this! The dates should be the official term start and end dates
5. Optional Step: If you have a need to switch the days of the week for all events or due dates (i.e. a Tues/Thurs class is now being offered Mon/Weds) you can click on the "Substitution" button to enter these changes.
6. Continue with the next steps on completing the content import.

7. Note: The course is not published on the start date or unpublished on the end date. These dates are only used to adjust the due dates in the Spring course.

   Example of the Import Content Date Settings to copy from Spring 2016 to Fall 2016.

   

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