[ARCHIVED] Uploading users.csv in batch mode

[ianjohnston]

We are looking at manually running our users SIS import process in batch mode once a year to keep our user's list cleaned up. I began testing this in our test instance using a blank users.csv file to make sure this type of process would not have an adverse impact on our manually created user account. The issue I ran into is doing a batch import requires that you specify a term and as far as I can tell users do not belong to any term so running the users.csv file in batch mode appears to have no effect. What is the proper way to upload a users.csv file in batch mode?

[tdelillo]

When I do batch uploads, I am not asked for a term unless I select the "This is a full batch update" box, which I don't think is what you want to do. The SIS Import guide gives some pretty strong cautions, and I'm pretty sure it's a nuclear option that resets courses as well as users.

I've only ever imported a users.csv to generate new accounts, so I can't offer further help on using it to update accounts, but perhaps you can describe in a little more detail what you want to do. Do I understand correctly that you want to remove old accounts as well as add new? Is there new information in the batch for existing accounts (like changing an email address or updating passwords)?

[ianjohnston]

I am looking to use the "This is a full batch update" as I want this process to remove any user accounts that no longer show up in our users.csv this way we can remove user accounts in canvas that are not being used anymore.

[tdelillo]

That makes sense. However, my interpretation of the SIS Import guide makes me think the full batch update can be used for enrollments but not user accounts. Specifically: "Canvas supports full batch updates for each import type. With this option, any courses, sections, or enrollments with an SIS ID record in Canvas that is linked to a selected term can be deleted."

Since no one else has jumped in to say they've successfully done this, I would recommend you open a ticket and find out from Canvas support if it's even possible.

[garth · Accepted solution]

 @ianjohnston ​ one approach would be to leverage the provisioning report.

1. Run a provisioning report on users.
2. Use your users.csv report to compare against the provisioning report, and flush out the students that are not listed in your users.csv report (Excel would be a good tool to use for this).
3. Once you have the list of students who no longer exist, make a new uesrs.csv file from that list, and change the user "status" to "deleted"
4. Import your "deleted" users.csv file to remove the unwanted records.

Have you already tried this?

What was your solution?

[ianjohnston]

I have not tried this but looking over the logic and process I think this is eactly the what we will need to do. Also, since I will manually be setting the status to deleted I will not have to worry about its effect on out admin accounts or manually created accounts.