Canvas New Quizzes: Copying Causes Broken Images
Canvas New Quizzes is a feature currently in ongoing development and intended to eventually replace Classic Quizzes. The New Quizzes Hub offers product updates, discussions, questions, roadmap, and feedback options during this transition period. Not sure if New Quizzes meets your instructional needs? The New Quizzes Feature Comparison can inform your decision.
This quide explains the known issue that copying a New Quiz using any of the three copy processes results in broken images and offers workaround solutions until Canvas engineers deploy a fix. Note, workarounds can be unreliable and may need testing to ensure they function correctly. Schedule time with Instructional Technology to get some help.
There are two options:
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Option 1: Save all New Quiz images in a dedicated folder in Files and import that folder before using one of the three copy processes. This option is recommended when an instructor wants to use the Copy To feature or copy multiple quizzes at a time. Note, this option is required for any Item Bank questions to function properly.
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Option 2: Export the New Quiz from the Build tool and import as a QTI .zip file in the destination course. This option is recommended for instructors who are creating quizzes as they go and want to copy them one at a time along the way. Note, this option does not work for Item Bank questions.
Need more detail?
Delve into the in-depth walkthrough below, complete with images and various notes for every step.
Option 1: Dedicated Images Folder(s)
If you are looking to use any of the three traditional copy methods in Canvas, 1) Copy To, 2) Import Select Content, or 3) Import All Content, this is the best option for you. This option is required if using Item Banks.
Step 1: Create An Images Folder in Canvas Files
Start by collecting all the images you plan to include on your New Quiz and save them in a dedicated images folder in the Files area. If you are building one new quiz at a time, you can also create separate folders for each one as you go.
Step 2: Edit/Build Your New Quiz
Edit your existing New Quiz, or build a new quiz, using only images in the dedicated folder. If you have existing New Quizzes with images, you can use Option 2: Export to Import as QTI if moving one quiz at a time seems easier than applying fixing your images from a dedicated folder.
Step 3: Import the Dedicated Images Folder(s)
Open the destination course(s) and use the Import Select Content option to copy the dedicated images folder only. Importing the images folder into your destination course before copying a New Quiz effectively prevents this known issue from occurring! Tip: Watch our 5-minute demonstration on how to copy select content if you need guidance.
Step 4: Copy Your Course Content
Use any of the three copy processes available in Canvas after you've imported the images folder. The Chapters feature in Stream is perfect to jump to the exact demonstration you want to view. Note: You can disregard the second half of the training video on Discussions.
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Option 2: Export to Import as QTI
If you are looking to move one quiz at a time, this is the best option for you. However, do not use this option if your New Quizzes were created using Item Banks - it does not work.
Exporting as a QTI requires you go into the New Quiz that is working properly to export it as a package, download it, then move to the destination course to import that package.
Step 1: Open the New Quiz
Go to the Canvas course that has the new quiz you want to use in another course and click the name to open it.
Step 2: Go to the Build Tool and Confirm Images Display
Click the Build button and ensure your images display correctly.
Step 3: Export the Quiz Package
Click the 3-dot menu next to the Return button to select Export Content. You'll see a confirmation box once the process is successful. Export and import one quiz at a time.
Tip: If you decide to use this method for multiple quizzes, note the name of the quiz and time you export it in order to identify the correct packages in Step 4.
Step 4: Download the Export Package
Click the Export tab to download the package that was created. Most web browsers will save the package to your Downloads folder automatically upon clicking the link, however, your personal settings may be different.
Step 5: Import the Package as a QTI .zip File
Go to the course you want to the New Quiz in and select Import Existing Content on the home page, then from the drop-down menu for Content Type, choose QTI .zip file.
Click the Choose File button and find the download from your computer's file explorer.
Ignore the question bank option, as that option is not compatible with New Quizzes. Select the check box for the option to Import existing quizzes As New Quizzes, then click Import and allow the process to complete.
FAQ
Does this issue involve Classic Quizzes?
No, Classic Quizzes is a different feature that is not affected.
What if I created my New Quiz with questions from an Item Bank?
- Option 1, creating a dedicated image folder that gets imported first before using Copy To, Import Select Content, or Import All Content works with Item Bank questions containing images.
- Option 2, exporting a QTI, does not work with New Quizzes built with Item Bank questions.
Can I use Copy To on my dedicated images folder?
Copy To is available for Files documents but not entire folders. You can use Copy To for each image, but this isn't an effective strategy for most people. If you miss an image, that will result in a broken image in the destination course.