Merging Canvas courses means copying content from one course into another
Canvas does not have a single "merge" button that combines two courses into one. Instead, you copy the content you want to keep from one course into another course, then delete the empty course afterward. The process takes about 10 to 20 minutes depending on how much material you have, and you do it through the course settings menu.
The most common reason to merge is when you have duplicate courses — perhaps you created a backup, or two sections of the same class ended up in separate course spaces. You can move assignments, discussion boards, modules, files, and pages from the source course (the one you are copying from) into the destination course (the one you are keeping). Student enrollments and grades do not transfer this way, so you will handle those separately if needed.
Key Takeaways
- Canvas merging works by copying content from one course into another using the Import Content tool, then removing the now-empty source course.
- You must have instructor or admin access to both courses to copy content between them.
- Student enrollments and grades stay in their original courses and do not copy over during a merge.
- The Import Content tool lets you select which items to copy — you do not have to move everything.
- After copying all content you need, you should unenroll students from the old course and request that your Canvas administrator delete it.
Step-by-step process to copy content from one course to another
Open the destination course — the one where you want the content to end up. Click the Settings link in the left navigation menu. Scroll down until you see Import Content and click that button.
A dialog box opens asking you to choose a content source. Select Copy a Canvas Course from the dropdown menu. Canvas then shows you a list of courses you have access to. Find and click the source course — the one you are copying from. Click Next.
Canvas displays a checklist of all content types in the source course: assignments, discussion topics, files, modules, pages, quizzes, and more. Check the boxes next to the items you want to copy. If you want everything, click Select All. If you only need certain assignments or modules, uncheck the rest. Click Import when you are ready.
The import runs in the background. Canvas sends you a notification when it finishes — this usually takes a few minutes, but larger courses with many files may take longer. Check your destination course to confirm all the content arrived correctly. Look through your modules, assignments, and files to make sure nothing is missing or broken.
What happens to student enrollments and grades during a merge
Student enrollments do not transfer when you copy course content. If students were enrolled in the source course, they remain enrolled there, but they are not automatically added to the destination course. You will need to enroll them separately or have your Canvas administrator do it.
Grades and submissions also stay in the original course. If students completed assignments in the source course, those grades remain there. The assignments themselves copy over to the destination course, but they are blank — no student work or scores come with them. This is why merging works best when you are combining two courses before students have submitted much work.
If you need to preserve student grades from the source course, export the gradebook as a CSV file before you delete the course. You can then manually review those grades or import them into the destination course if needed.
Handling duplicate assignments and naming conflicts
If both courses have an assignment with the same name, Canvas imports the source assignment with a number added to the end — for example, "Essay 1" becomes "Essay 1 (1)". This prevents overwriting. You can rename the duplicate afterward by opening the assignment, clicking Edit, and changing the title.
Before you import, scan both courses for items with identical names. If you know there will be conflicts, you can either rename items in the source course first, or plan to clean up duplicates after the import finishes. Cleaning up after is often faster if you have many items.
Check the destination course carefully after import. Look through your modules and assignment list to spot any duplicates you want to delete. Click into each one and use the delete option (usually a trash icon or a menu option) to remove it.
Deleting the source course after the merge is complete
Once you have copied all the content you need and confirmed it is in the destination course, you should remove the source course. You cannot delete a course yourself — your Canvas administrator must do it. Before you contact them, unenroll all students from the source course so they do not accidentally access it.
To unenroll students, go to the source course and click People in the left menu. Find each student and click the x or menu icon next to their name, then select Remove from course. If the course has many students, ask your administrator to do this in bulk.
After students are removed, contact your Canvas administrator and ask them to delete the source course. Provide them with the course name and course ID (found in Settings). They will remove it from your account, and it will no longer appear in your course list.
Common mistakes to avoid when merging courses
Do not assume all content will copy perfectly. Some items — particularly those with external links, embedded media, or LTI tools — may not transfer correctly. After the import, click through your assignments, quizzes, and pages to test links and embedded content. Fix broken items before students access the course.
Do not delete the source course yourself. If you try to delete it from the course menu, Canvas will only archive it, not remove it permanently. Only your administrator can fully delete a course. Archived courses still take up space and can confuse your course list.
Do not forget to update your syllabus and course announcements. If you merged two sections into one course, your syllabus may reference the old section number or meeting time. Update these details so students see current information when they open the course.
Do not import content and then when ready delete the source course. Wait a day or two and verify that everything works in the destination course — that quizzes function, that discussion boards display correctly, and that files open. If something broke during the import, you can still refer back to the source course to fix it.
When to contact your Canvas administrator for help
If the Import Content button does not appear in your course settings, you may not have the right permission level. Contact your Canvas administrator and confirm you have instructor access to both courses. They can grant access if needed.
If the import starts but never finishes, or if you see an error message, take a screenshot and contact your administrator. Large imports sometimes fail if the course contains thousands of files or very large video files. Your administrator may need to increase the import timeout or break the merge into smaller steps.
If you need to merge more than two courses, or if you need to preserve student grades and submissions during the merge, ask your administrator about alternative options. Some institutions have tools or workflows for more complex merges that go beyond the standard import process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I merge two courses if I am not the instructor of both?
No. You must have instructor or admin access to both the source course and the destination course. If you do not have access to one of them, ask your Canvas administrator to grant it, or ask the other instructor to perform the merge themselves.
What if I only want to copy certain modules, not the whole course?
When you use Import Content, you can uncheck any items you do not want to copy. Select only the modules or assignments you need, and leave the rest unchecked. Canvas will copy only what you selected.
Do student discussion posts and replies copy over to the new course?
No. Discussion topics copy over, but all student posts and replies stay in the original course. If you need to preserve those conversations, take screenshots or export them before deleting the source course.
Can I merge a course that already has students enrolled?
Yes, but it is more complicated. You will need to unenroll students from the source course, then enroll them in the destination course. If they already have grades in the source course, export the gradebook first so you do not lose that record.
How long does it take to merge two courses?
The import itself usually takes a few minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the course and how many files it contains. The full process — copying content, checking it, unenrolling students, and requesting deletion — typically takes one to two days.