Exporting a Course Structure out of Canvas

[kanishka_saha]

Hello all,

I need somebody's advice to help me come of out the quandary.

I have a course structure already in Canvas. It is a typical course structure that includes a list of videos, assignments, group discussions spread across several modules. Is there way I can quickly export/download this structure (on Canvas) to an Excel sheet (or any other format) without much effort?

[Stef_retired]

Hello,  @kanishka_saha  Welcome  to the Canvas Community! Canvas courses can only be exported as IMSCC zip files, which in turn are only compatible with programs that support IMSCC--such as Canvas. Courses cannot be exported into Excel, nor can the IMSCC file be opened in Excel. For instructions on how to export a Canvas course, please refer to How do I export a Canvas course? 

Of course, you can easily copy a course from one Canvas shell into another Canvas shell either by exporting the IMSCC and importing it into the course, or by copying it directly (as described in How do I copy content from another Canvas course? ). In addition, you can upload the course to Commons so it resides there as a permanently available artifact for initial course structure (How do I share a resource to Commons? ).

So if you need additional help with this, please elaborate on your use case for that exported structure; in Canvas, and with the collective ingenuity of the Community at your disposal, there is always a way.

[kanishka_saha]

Thank you for your prompt reply Stefanie.

I was aware that a Canvas course can export to an IMSCC file, which cannot open in Excel. This is where my predicament really is. I need the course structure in such a format (Excel or Word only). Alternatively, please let me know of other platforms (other than Canvas) to which I can easily export a Canvas course file (IMSCC).

Best,

Kanishka

[Stef_retired · Accepted solution]

Thanks for your reply,  @kanishka_saha ‌. The IMSCC file specification was developed by the IMS Global Consortium as a way to move course content into a package that can be used in a course platform. IMSCC files can be used in the Canvas LMS and other LMSs as well (my quick Googling brought up Moodle, D2L, and Schoology as possibilities, although I don't have any hands-on experience with importing course export packages from Canvas into those LMSs). Programs like Excel or Word cannot support such a structure; they are not course platforms, and so are not designed to do so. If you can give us some specifics on how you plan to use these exports, it might help the Community figure out a way to get you where you need to be.

[kanishka_saha]

Alright Stefanie. I understand what you’re saying. So an IMSCC course file is similar to a SCORM or AICC that can only and only open on another compatible LMS. And therefore, we cannot export it to a format like Excel/Word.

Thank you for your quick replies. Appreciate it.

Best,

Kanishka

[Stef_retired]

You're welcome!

[kmeeusen]

Hi  @kanishka_saha  have you considered trying out the relatively new feature called ePub Export? You can learn more at How do I view course content offline as an ePub file as an instructor? 

ePub Exporting is currently a course opt-in feature. To enable this feature, learn how to manage feature options in the course features lesson.

By default, ePub files are organized by module, though you can change the ePub format to be organized by content type (assignments, discussions, quizzes, etc.)  When viewing by module, only items you have access to view in each module will be included in the ePub file. Locked modules list either their prerequisites or the unlock date, as well as the items that are contained within that module (though not the actual content of those items themselves).

I hope this helps,

Kelley