Export your SIS data in a Canvas CSV file format. Place the file(s
) into a directory or folder that only contains CSV files ready to be imported. Depending on your SIS, this step may be automated. For more information on integration, please contact your Canvas Customer Success Manager.
SIS Exports
Due to extensive variations among Student Information Systems (SIS),
this lesson cannot document one all-inclusive method for exporting data. However, here are a few possible data access methods that may be available to you:
- API access: The SIS may provide an API in some form that will allow you to collect data.
- Direct data (database
access): The SIS may allow direct database (or other direct data
) access to your SIS data.
- Report generation or data export: The SIS may have the ability to run reports or export data and have them delivered via email, from a web site/program, or saved to a folder.
- Trigger or tracking events: The SIS may have the ability to run jobs on a triggered event. This type of tracking may be better suited to direct API manipulation of Canvas objects, but you could have a script/program that collects the triggered changes for batch updates at frequent intervals using SIS imports.
Once you know how to access your SIS data, a script/program could be written and used to manipulate and filter the data to match the format required for CSV SIS imports. In some cases, you may have to manually perform this step. You will need to work with your SIS administrative team or vendor to work out the best way to export data.
Note: While working with your SIS team, be sure to provide them with the Canvas CSV file format documentation, which may reduce the complexity of or eliminate the need for a script/program to prepare the data before the import.