Date
April 25, 2025
Type
KB
Owner
Tags
CanvasCanvas Faculty & Staff
If you’ve already built your Canvas course and want to reuse it for a new semester, follow these steps to copy your course content and update due dates!
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).
- For Content Type, select Copy a Canvas Course.
- Type the name of your previous course in the Search for a course field and select it.
- 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.
- Click the Select Content button in the Progress area.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- You can select multiple assignments and click Batch Edit to shift or remove due dates.
- You can also navigate to the Calendar in the global navigation menu to drag and drop assignments to different dates easily.
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.
QILT is here to help you and answer any questions you may have. Schedule a consultation with the team!
Additional resources
Exporting Course Content from Blackboard to Canvas/w=1080,quality=90,fit=scale-down)
Exporting Course Content from Blackboard to Canvas
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Migrating Tests and Pools from Blackboard Original to Canvas
Migrating Tests and Pools from Blackboard Original to Canvas
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Applying the Quinnipiac Canvas Course Template to Content Imported from Blackboard
Applying the Quinnipiac Canvas Course Template to Content Imported from Blackboard
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