Method 1: You are the Instructor for Both Courses

In the course you’d like to copy, in the course sidebar, drop-down Packages and Utilities, then select “Course Copy.”

A screenshot of the Blackboard course navigation menu showing "Packages and Utilities" expanded. The menu item "Course Copy" is highlighted in purple, indicating it is selected. Other visible options include Check Course Links, Export/Archive Course, Import Package / View Logs, and Manage LTI Links.

For Copy Type, choose “Copy Materials into an Existing Course”, then select “Browse” for the Course ID.

Select Copy Type dropdown menu and Destination Course ID field with Browse button on right

Search for the course and select it, then select “Submit.”

For Select Course Materials, choose “Select All,” and then do the following:

DESELECT Announcements
If copying Discussion Boards, select “Include only the forums, with no starter posts.”

Select Course Materials list, with Select All and Unselect All buttons on top. Everything is selected except for Announcements checkbox, and for Discussion Board the radio button for Include Only the forums, with no starter posts is selected

Select “Submit.” The course will copy.

Once this is complete, the banner at the top of the course that’s being copied into will say it is complete. You may then need to delete extra grade columns (like duplicate total and weighted total columns) or extra items in Technology Help, Policies and Resources, etc.

Method 2: You are not the Instructor for Both Courses

The instructor teaching the course that will be copied needs to export an archive of the course, share that archive with the instructor teaching the new course, and have them import the archive into their course.

Here’s how:

In the course you’d like to export, in the course navigation menu, drop-down Packages and Utilities, then select “Export/Archive Course.”

A screenshot of the Blackboard course navigation menu showing "Packages and Utilities" expanded. The menu item "Export/Archive Course" is highlighted in purple, indicating it is selected. Other visible options include Check Course Links, Course Copy, Import Package / View Logs, and Manage LTI Links.

Select “Export Package.”

Export Package button, underneath heading

For Select Course Materials, choose “Select All,” and then do the following:

DESELECT Announcements
If copying Discussion Boards, select “Include only the forums, with no starter posts.”

Select “Submit.” The course will now export – this may take a few minutes. Keep selecting the grey Refresh button until a link under Packages Created Manually exists, then select that link to download it.

Export/Archive Course Menu, with a link for an Export File .zip underneath packages Created Manually

Once the download is complete (it will not tell you how long it will take, unlike most other downloaded files), share the file with the instructor using OneDrive, a flash drive, or some other method, as it will probably be too big to email.

Once the instructor has the file, they need to import it into their course.

In the course you’d like to import into, in the course navigation menu, drop-down Packages and Utilities, and select “Import Package / View Logs.”

A screenshot of the Blackboard course navigation menu showing "Packages and Utilities" expanded. The menu item "Import Package / View Logs" is highlighted in purple, indicating it is selected. Other visible options include Check Course Links, Course Copy, Export/Archive Course, and Manage LTI Links.

Select “Import Package.”

Import Package button, underneath heading

Select “Browse Local Files,” then select the .zip file shared with you.
For Select Course Materials, choose “Select All,” and then do the following:

DESELECT Announcements
If copying Discussion Boards, select “Include only the forums, with no starter posts.”

Select “Submit.” The course will now import.

The banner at the top of the course will change from Running to Complete when the import has finished. The instructor may then need to delete extra grade columns (like duplicate total and weighted total columns) or extra items in Technology Help, Policies and Resources, etc.

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Additional Resources

View full knowledgebase →

View all teaching and learning resources →

Blackboard: Copying a Blackboard Course for a New Semester

Migration: Where can I see how Canvas compares to our current version of Blackboard? (For Faculty & Staff)

Course Management: When will my courses be removed from Blackboard? (For Faculty & Staff)

Quizzes: Troubleshooting Missing Images in Tests Imported from Blackboard to Canvas

Course Management: Exporting Course Content from Blackboard to Canvas

Course Management: Migrating Tests and Pools from Blackboard Original to Canvas

VoiceThread: Creating Student Groups in VoiceThread in Blackboard Learn

Blackboard: Creating a Discussion Forum in Blackboard Learn

VoiceThread: Setting Up Group Presentations with VoiceThread in Blackboard Learn

Migration: Blackboard and Canvas: What’s Different?

VoiceThread: Grade Not Appearing in Blackboard Grade Center

Blackboard: Adding Images in the Rich Content Editor

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Blackboard: Blackboard Basics - Setting Up for Success!

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Blackboard: Replying to a Video Discussion Board in Blackboard Learn Classic with YuJa Video

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