Canvas allows instructors to make a backup of a course as a .imscc (also known as Common Cartridge) file. This file allows for offline backups of course content as well as migrating content from one Canvas system into another Canvas system or learning management platform that supports the common cartridge standard. Creating a backup is the best way to save your course for later use.

To make a backup

1. Log in to Canvas.
2. Navigate to your course in Canvas.
3. From the left-side course navigation menu, select Settings (usually located at the very bottom of the list).
4. From the menu on the right, select Export Course Content.
5. Under Export Type, select Course.
6. Select Create Export.

The export will be started. At this point, you can leave the page and Canvas will send you an email once it's completed. Previously created exports will appear in a list at the top of this page and previous exports will be retained for 30 days to allow you to download them.

To import into another Canvas course

Once you have downloaded the course export file onto your computer, you'll need access to another Canvas course to import that file into. 

 

1. Navigate to the Canvas course that you wish to import content into.

2. On the Home page, select Import Existing Content from the navigation menu on the right.

3. Select the drop-down menu by Content Type and select Canvas Course Export Package.

4. By Source, select Choose File to locate the backup file you just downloaded (the file type should be .imscc).

• For Mac users, the file will most likely be saved to the Downloads folder within the Finder application.
• For PC users, the file will most likely be saved to the Downloads folder within the File Explorer application.

5. By Content, choose either All content if you are trying to import everything from the original course or choose Select specific content to choose each item you want to import.

6. Select Import.

Canvas will then automatically start importing content into your course. Depending on the size of the import file, Canvas may take some extra time to import everything.