Date

April 25, 2025

Type

Owner

Alex D'Adamo

Step 1: Import Existing Content

Start in the blank course shell for the upcoming semester (this is usually created automatically 3-6 weeks before the semester starts).

On the course home page, click Import Existing Content (right side menu).

Import Existing Content button underneath Course Status

For Content Type, select Copy a Canvas Course.

Select Content Type dropdown menu, Copy a Canvas Course selected

Type the name of your previous course in the Search for a course field and select it.

Search for a Course box, with partially typed name of course visible and the full course name shown below

Check the box for Select Specific Content.
Check Adjust events and due dates.

You can set the Beginning and Ending Dates from the old course and new semester. Canvas will try to shift all due dates accordingly. Alternatively, you can Remove Dates and then set them up later.

Click the blue + Add to Import Queue button.

Select specific content radio button, Adjust events and due dates checkbox, Date Adjustments section, and Add to Import Queue button at bottom

Click the Select Content button in the Progress area.

Course import progress table, with Select Content button under Progress column heading

Select the content you would like to copy. For instance, many instructors will select everything except announcements. Then, click Select Content to confirm and copy your course to the new semester.

Select Content for Import window, with various options checked and unchecked

Optional: Fine-Tune Your Dates

Canvas will shift dates, but you should still review them:

Go to Assignments area of your course, click the three vertical dots in the top right, and click Edit Assignment Dates.

Assignments area of course, three dots in top right selected, Edit Assignment Dates highlighted

You’ll see a table with all assignments, quizzes, discussions, etc., and their due dates. You can easily edit all dates here. Make sure to click Save when you’re done.

Edit Assignment Dates table, with various course and due dates visible. Batch Edit and Save buttons in top right.

You can select multiple assignments and click Batch Edit to shift or remove due dates.

Batch Edit Dates window, with Shift dates selected

You can also navigate to the Calendar in the global navigation menu to drag and drop assignments to different dates easily.

Canvas calendar, with various assignments visible on a Sunday.

Use the View as Student button (top right of the Home page in your course) to preview your updated course and make sure all due dates and modules appear as expected.

View as Student button in top right of Home Page

QILT is here to help you and answer any questions you may have. Schedule a consultation with the team! Remember, 24/7/365 phone and chat support for Canvas, for faculty, staff, and students, is available in the Help menu in Canvas!

Additional resources

Enabling E-mail Notifications for Announcements and Messages You Send in Canvas

Publishing Your Canvas Module (Make Visible to Students)

Assigning Canvas Modules to Specific Student(s) or Section(s)

Requiring Canvas Modules to Be Completed in a Set Order

Locking Canvas Modules Until a Specific Date

Duplicating/Copying a Module in Canvas

Moving Modules and Content in Canvas

Using Text Headers to Organize a Module in Canvas

Adding Content to a Module in Canvas

Creating a Module in Canvas

Deleting Sandbox Courses in Canvas

Troubleshooting Missing Images in Tests Imported from Blackboard to Canvas

Calendar in Canvas (Video)

Inbox in Canvas (Video)

Publishing Content and Courses in Canvas (Video)

Using LockDown Browser in Canvas

Setting up and Integrating Perusall with Canvas

Adding Elsevier Evolve Content to Canvas

Annotating in SpeedGrader (Grading)

Copying a Canvas Course for a New Semester

Exporting Course Content from Blackboard to Canvas

Migrating Tests and Pools from Blackboard Original to Canvas

Accessing Canvas (Faculty and Staff)

Adding a YuJa Quiz to a Canvas Assignment

Applying the Quinnipiac Canvas Course Template to Content Imported from Blackboard

Canvas Training Services Portal Guide

Resource

Accessing Canvas (Students)

Quinnipiac Canvas Course Template

Resource

Creating a Canvas Sandbox Course

Lucid in Canvas

Resource

Get Ready to Teach in Canvas Checklist

Resource

Access Khanmigo in Canvas

Blackboard and Canvas: What’s Different?

Resource