{"id":1239,"date":"2026-04-21T14:25:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T19:25:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/?page_id=1239"},"modified":"2026-10-22T23:32:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T04:32:35","slug":"importing-and-copying-courses-in-canvas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/facultyresources\/importing-and-copying-courses-in-canvas\/","title":{"rendered":"Importing and Copying Courses in Canvas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><nav style=\"--separator: &quot;\/&quot;\" class=\"wp-block-breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\"><ol><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/facultyresources\/\">Faculty Resources<\/a><\/li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">Importing and Copying Courses in Canvas<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/nav>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" \/>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During our current transition to Canvas, we are implementing a multi-pronged approach to the migration process. In the information below, we provide the instructions for how you can manually move your own course from D2L to Canvas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/faqs\/\">Canvas Project FAQs<\/a> for more information about how courses are being migrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you begin developing courses or editing migrated courses, you can easily copy these courses to a new blank course shell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-block accordion expandable-group expandable-group-lightblock\" id=\"newExpandable\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingcopy-a-canvas-course-to-another-canvas-course\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablecopy-a-canvas-course-to-another-canvas-course\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablecopy-a-canvas-course-to-another-canvas-course\">Copy a Canvas Course to Another Canvas Course<\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablecopy-a-canvas-course-to-another-canvas-course\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingcopy-a-canvas-course-to-another-canvas-course\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Canvas, you have the ability to easily copy any course that you have access to. <em>The roles who can copy content are Teacher, Co-instructor, and Master Course Teacher (only for manually-created non-academic courses). <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>WARNING: Always start in the course where you want to copy the content, not the course where the content already exists.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-compact-list\">\n<li>To copy a Canvas course, go to the course where you want to copy the content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the <strong>Import Existing Content<\/strong> button in the upper right. <em>You can also access the Import options in the Settings area.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"338\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/04\/Import-Existing-Content-Button.png\" alt=\"Import Existing Content button\" class=\"wp-image-1229\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7146058580695891;width:218px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/04\/Import-Existing-Content-Button.png 338w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/04\/Import-Existing-Content-Button-214x300.png 214w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 338px) 100vw, 338px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-compact-list\">\n<li>Choose <strong>Copy a Canvas Course<\/strong> in the <em>Select Content Type<\/em> drop-down.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Begin typing the course title and search for the course you want to copy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select what <em>Content <\/em>you would like to copy:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-compact-list\">\n<li>Choose <strong>All content <\/strong>to copy all items from the course. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose <strong>Select specific<\/strong> content to select the items to copy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the <strong>+ Add to Import Queue<\/strong> button to start the import.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"912\" height=\"982\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/04\/Import-Content-Options.png\" alt=\"Import Content options area\" class=\"wp-image-1230\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.9287307950443505;width:533px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/04\/Import-Content-Options.png 912w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/04\/Import-Content-Options-279x300.png 279w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/04\/Import-Content-Options-768x827.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 912px) 100vw, 912px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-compact-list\">\n<li>If you choose <strong>All content<\/strong>, the import will appear in the <em>Content imports<\/em> area on the page. It will show a progress bar as it imports. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you choose <strong>Select specific content<\/strong>, a <strong>Select content<\/strong> button will appear in the <em>Content imports<\/em> area on the page. Click <strong>Select content<\/strong> and choose the items you would like to copy. Click <strong>Select Content<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When the copy is complete, it will have a <strong>Completed <\/strong>status in the <em>Content import<\/em> area. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NOTE: If something did not get copied, the status will either say <em>Partially Completed <\/em>with the number of issues and a <strong>View Issues<\/strong> button, or it will say <em>Failed<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingexporting-a-canvas-course\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandableexporting-a-canvas-course\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandableexporting-a-canvas-course\">Exporting a Canvas Course<\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandableexporting-a-canvas-course\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingexporting-a-canvas-course\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At times, you might want to export your course for backup or archive purposes, but you might also want to provide it to another person teaching the same material. You can export the entire course or just the quizzes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Export downloads area available for 30 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Exporting Your Course<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list is-style-compact-list\">\n<li>Go to the course and select the <strong>Settings <\/strong>link in the course navigation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the <strong>Export Course Content<\/strong> button in the menu on the right of the screen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose the <strong>Course <\/strong>option<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <strong>Create Export<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The export will begin processing. Once it is done, you will see a link appear at the top of the page. It will say &#8220;New Export&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To download, click <strong>New Export<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It should auto-download, but if not, you can download to the appropriate location.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The file will be an .imscc file.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingimporting-a-canvas-export-file\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandableimporting-a-canvas-export-file\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandableimporting-a-canvas-export-file\">Importing a Canvas Export File<\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandableimporting-a-canvas-export-file\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingimporting-a-canvas-export-file\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you receive a Canvas Export File from another instructor, you can easily import this file into your course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list is-style-compact-list\">\n<li>Go to the course and select the <strong>Import Existing Content<\/strong> button on the <em>Home <\/em>page, or go to <strong>Settings <\/strong>and choose <strong>Import Course Content<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under <em>Select Content Type<\/em>, choose <strong>Canvas Course Export Package<\/strong> in the drop-down.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Either browse and find the export file (.imscc file type) or drag and drop it into the <em>Choose File<\/em> box.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select what content you would like to import: \n<ol class=\"wp-block-list is-style-compact-list\">\n<li>If you choose <strong>All content<\/strong>, the import will appear in the <em>Content imports<\/em> area on the page. It will show a progress bar as it imports. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you choose <strong>Select specific content<\/strong>, a <strong>Select content<\/strong> button will appear in the <em>Content imports<\/em> area on the page. Click <strong>Select content<\/strong> and choose the items you would like to copy. Click <strong>Select Content<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When the copy is complete, it will have a <strong>Completed <\/strong>status in the <em>Content import<\/em> area. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NOTE: If something did not get copied, the status will either say <em>Partially Completed <\/em>with the number of issues and a <strong>View Issues<\/strong> button, or it will say <em>Failed<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingimporting-your-d2l-courses-into-canvas\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandableimporting-your-d2l-courses-into-canvas\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandableimporting-your-d2l-courses-into-canvas\">Importing your D2L Courses into Canvas<\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandableimporting-your-d2l-courses-into-canvas\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingimporting-your-d2l-courses-into-canvas\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can export your D2L course and import it into your Canvas courses to begin working on future courses or just to see how Canvas works. Follow the instructions linked below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moving your courses from D2L to Canvas is the process of exporting from D2L and importing them into Canvas. You will need to have a blank course shell in Canvas prior to going through this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Need a sandbox or development shell? <a href=\"https:\/\/service.mtsu.edu\/sp?id=sc_cat_item&amp;sys_id=eac3eaa53b8c36501802481864e45a28&amp;table=sc_cat_item&amp;searchTerm=canvas\">Complete the online request form<\/a>.<br><em>If you have courses listed from Fall 2025 and Spring 2026, you can also use these to develop your courses. These shells have been created and will not be live.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-compact-list\">\n<li><strong>PDF: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2025\/09\/GSWC-Moving-D2L-Courses.pdf\">Moving your D2L Course to Canvas<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Video: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mtsu.instructuremedia.com\/embed\/7db8ae05-001b-4862-8d05-22f85c0be3f5\">Moving your D2L Course to Canvas<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Saving D2L Courses:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have older courses that you no longer teach, but would like to keep a backup copy, you can simply create the D2L backup and store it on your computer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingsaving-student-submissions-and-grades-from-d2l\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablesaving-student-submissions-and-grades-from-d2l\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablesaving-student-submissions-and-grades-from-d2l\">Saving Student Submissions and Grades from D2L<\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablesaving-student-submissions-and-grades-from-d2l\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingsaving-student-submissions-and-grades-from-d2l\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this transition to Canvas, the only content that will be transferred from D2L will be course content and assessments. If you need to keep any student data, you can download and save the information using the linked instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/archiving-d2l-student-data\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"698\">View instructions for exporting student data from D2L.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During our current transition to Canvas, we are implementing a multi-pronged approach to the migration process. In the information below, we provide the instructions for how you can manually move your own course from D2L to Canvas. Please visit the Canvas Project FAQs for more information about how courses are being migrated. Once you begin [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":313,"featured_media":0,"parent":1211,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1239","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/313"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1239"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1239\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1964,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1239\/revisions\/1964"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}