How to Import a Course from Blackboard to Canvas.

If you want to build a canvas course from Blackboard, you can easily migrate that content into Canvas rather than rebuilding your materials from scratch. The process involves exporting your Blackboard course as a zip package and importing that file directly into Canvas.

Export Content from Blackboard

Step 1: Log in to Blackboard and open the course you wish to migrate.

Step 2: Navigate to Packages and Utilities, select Export/Archive Course, and click Export Package. Choose the specific content areas you wish to include, then click Submit.

Step 3: Once Blackboard finishes processing the request, click the generated link to download the .zip file to your computer.

Note: Do not unzip or open this file; Canvas requires the compressed folder format.

Import Content into Canvas

Step 4: Open your destination Canvas course and select Settings from the bottom of the Course Navigation menu.

Step 5: On the right-side menu, click Import Course Content.

Step 6: Select Blackboard 6/7/8/9 export .zip file from the Content Type dropdown menu. Click Choose File (or Browse) to locate and select the zip package from your computer.

Step 7: Choose whether to import All Content or Select Specific Content. Optionally, check Adjust events and due dates if you want Canvas to shift assignment deadlines automatically for the new term.

Step 8: Click Import. Canvas will process the migration under the Current Jobs section; larger courses with many media files may take several minutes to complete.

Review and Refine

Step 9: Organize the Gradebook

To organize a gradebook in Canvas, you will need to compare it with Blackboard to make sure all assignments and points are transferred correctly. Put assignments into the correct Assignment Groups, check the weights, and clean up any duplicates or empty groups.

Step 10: Organize Modules 

Blackboard folders are converted into Canvas Modules, and subfolders become separate submodules or headers. Reorganize or delete redundant module headers to keep navigation clean, and remember to remove any duplicate pages. Pages such as Meet Your Instructor, Course Overview, and Acquiring Your Textbook are usually already included on the homepage, so delete these duplicate pages from the Getting Started module.

Step 11: Re-link Embedded Media & Files

Embedded videos, audio files, and internal document links are the most common items to break during migration. Make sure  you manually fix all the glitches.

Step 12: Convert Classic Quizzes to New Quizzes

Blackboard tests automatically import into Canvas as Classic Quizzes. You will need to convert them to New Quizzes using Canvas’s built-in migration tool. 

In Quizzes, open the Classic Quiz’s three-dot menu and select Migrate; Canvas will create a New Quiz while preserving the question items.

Review the new quiz, then delete or unpublish the old Classic version to avoid student confusion.

Step 14: Reconfigure External Tools (LTI Integration)

Third-party tools do not retain their authorization during a course import.

If your course relies on external integrations such as Turnitin, McGraw-Hill, Connect 4 Education, or others, you must manually re-link these tools in the relevant assignments, modules, or Course Navigation settings.

Success! You have successfully converted course from Blackboard to Canvas. If you have questions or need help, email northinstitute@oc.edu.