Importing existing content into a course

The first things instructors ask us is "How do I get my content into a course in Canvas?"

Most instructors usually have some existing course materials, such as handouts, worksheets, syllabus, lecture slides, assignments, readings, documents, etc. Therefore, importing course materials into your Canvas course shell is the logical first step.

There are TWO (2) main ways to import content into a course:

1. Copying Content from a Previous Canvas Course

The course import tool allows you to select and copy from a previous or another existing Canvas course in your system. This is a viable starting point if you've developed a course in Canvas in a previous term.

When you copy an entire course from term to term, it will include all Announcements and Discussions (if you choose). You can also adjust the events and due dates to coordinate with your current term (unless you choose to decline this option in which case the old dates will transfer and you'll have to adjust them later).

 

Guides.png

The following tutorials provide additional details on the course import tools:

 

Sometimes you may want to add one or few files as you develop the course, rather than bulk upload zipped content. In this case, consider leveraging the FILES tool.

2. Adding Course Materials via Files Tool

Another way to upload content into your course is through the FILES tab. Similar to the course import tool, you can also add files to your course. Add files as you go or upload a group of files at once. 

Canvas makes it easy to click-and-drag files from your desktop directly into your course files page. Files and folders can be locked (hidden from student view).
 

Guides.png

Read additional information about the files tool below:

 

In summary, you can import or add existing content to your course shell in two ways:

  1. Course Import from another Canvas course
  2. Adding Materials via the Files Tab