Importing Content 101: How to Transfer and Validate Course Materials in Canvas

Importing content from your Sandbox or previous year’s Canvas courses is easy, with multiple options to suit your needs. Whether you're copying entire courses or specific modules, this guide provides step-by-step instructions for content transfer, link validation, and ensuring all materials are correctly set up in your new course shell. After importing, make sure to validate all content to ensure everything is working properly. See the guide below for detailed instructions and check the links for additional resources and support.

Step 1: Preparing for Content Import

Before beginning the import process, make sure you have the following:

Access to Both Courses: Ensure you are enrolled as a teacher in both the source course (the course you are importing from) and the destination course (the new course you are importing to).
Course Content to Import: Identify the specific content you want to import, such as assignments, quizzes, modules, or files.

Step 2: Importing Content into Your New Course

There are several ways to import content into your new Canvas course. Choose the method that best suits your needs:

Option A: Full Course Import

Navigate to Course Settings: In the new course shell, go to the course navigation menu and select "Settings."
Select Import Course Content: Click on the "Import Course Content" button located on the right-hand side of the page.
Choose Content Type: In the "Content Type" drop-down menu, select "Copy a Canvas Course."
Search for Your Course: Use the search bar to find the course you want to import content from. Make sure to select the correct course and term.
Select Specific Content: Choose "Select specific content" to import only certain items, or choose "All content" to import the entire course.
- Tip: Selecting specific content allows you to avoid importing outdated or unnecessary materials.
Adjust Settings: You can choose to adjust events and due dates if needed. This option allows you to shift dates to match the new term.
Start the Import: Click the "Import" button to begin the process. The status of your import will be displayed in the "Current Jobs" section.
- Note: Large courses may take several minutes to import.

Option B: Copy Individual Modules or Content Items

Navigate to the Source Course: Go to the course that contains the content you want to copy.
Open Modules or Relevant Content Area: Find the specific module or content item (e.g., assignment, quiz, page) you wish to copy.
Use the Copy To Feature:
- For Modules: Click the three dots next to the module title and select "Copy To."
- For Individual Content Items: Click the three dots next to the item and select "Copy To."
Select the Destination Course: Use the drop-down menu to choose the course where you want the content to be copied.
Choose the Module or Location: If you are copying content to a specific module, select the appropriate module or choose "New Module" to create a new one.
Confirm and Copy: Click the "Copy" button to complete the process. You will receive a notification when the content has been successfully copied.

Option C: Use Commons to Share and Import Content

Share Content to Commons: In the source course, navigate to the content you want to share, click the three dots, and select "Share to Commons."
Set Sharing Permissions: Choose the appropriate sharing settings (e.g., private, public, specific groups).
Add Title/Description: Include a title, description, and tags to make the content easier to find.
Import Content from Commons: In the destination course, go to "Commons" from the course navigation menu, search for your shared content, and click "Import/Download."
Select Destination Course: Choose the course you want to import the content into and click "Import." The content will be added to the course shortly.

Step 3: Validating Imported Content

After the import is complete, it’s essential to validate all course content to ensure everything is working correctly.

Check Course Navigation: Verify that all imported items are correctly organized in the course navigation menu and that nothing is missing.
Review Modules: Go through each module to ensure all content is present and properly sequenced.
Validate Links: Use the "Validate Links in Content" tool to check for any broken links. This tool can be found in "Settings" under the "Validate Links in Content" button.
- Tip: Broken links may occur if content was originally linked to resources in a previous course. Be sure to update any links to point to resources within the new course shell. We recommend using the "course link" option instead of the "external link" option to ensure links remain valid if the course destination changes.
Test External Tools and LTI Integrations: If your course uses any external tools or LTI integrations, verify that they are functioning as expected in the new course shell.
Preview Course Content: Preview assignments, quizzes, and other content to ensure all settings (such as due dates and availability) are correctly configured.

Step 4: Finalizing Your Course Setup

Once all content is validated and confirmed to be working correctly:

Publish Your Course: Make sure your course is published so that students can access it. Remember that individual items also need to be published for student visibility.

Tips for a Smooth Content Import Experience

Back-Up Your Course: It’s always a good idea to back up your course content before starting an import, just in case you need to revert to the original setup.
Keep It Organized: Use consistent naming conventions and file organization to make it easier to manage and locate content.
Stay Updated: Canvas frequently updates its features. Check for any new import options or improvements that could enhance your course setup.

By following these steps and selecting the best import method, you can easily transfer course materials between Canvas courses. For further assistance, use the Canvas 24/7 chat support or call 877-268-8210.