Manhattan College Knowledge Base

Backing Up Moodle Content for Safekeeping

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This tutorial describes two ways that Moodle content can be downloaded and saved for later use.

  • Creating a Moodle backup file allows you to download an archive of a course. The resulting file can be uploaded to another Moodle instance or even imported into different learning management systems like Canvas. Moodle backup files use the proprietary .mbz file format. It is important to keep in mind that when transferring a course from one instance of Moodle to another, or from Moodle to a different learning management system, some content might not fully transfer to the new system.
  • Downloading course content allows you to download a standalone website of your course contained within a Zip archive file. The website can be viewed on any computer. Although the website is not functional as a course, it can serve as a useful reference.
Create a Moodle Backup File (from main course server)

This section outlines steps for backing up a file in Moodle 4.3.  Follow these steps if you are backing up a course located on the Moodle course server.

1. Begin the backup process

Navigate to the course site that you would like to create a backup of.  In the Course Menu select More and choose Course reuse.

2. Select course reuse method

A dropdown menu menu at the top of the screen allows you to choose the course reuse method you would like to use.  Select Backup.

3. Backup settings

The next step is Backup settings. On this screen you can choose the type of content that will be included in the backup file. In most cases, the default settings on this screen can be left unchanged.  Scroll down to the bottom of the screen.

  1. If you want to backup all of the course content in its entirety, select the Jump to final step button. Creation of the course backup will begin immediately. Skip ahead to Step 6.
  2. If you want to select only specific course items to include in the backup, select the Next button.

4. Schema settings

On this screen, you can choose individual items to include or exclude from your backup file.  To include all class content, leave all items selected, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Next. If there are items that you do not want to include, click on the check mark beside that item to deselect that item. Deselecting the bold section headings (e.g., "General" in the below example) will remove all items in that section from the backup.

5. Confirmation and review

This screen allows you to double-check the settings you've chosen.  In the Filename field, enter a custom filename or leave the default filename. When satisfied that all settings are correct, click the Perform backup button at the bottom of the screen.  

6. Backup Completion

When creation of the backup is complete, a confirmation message will appear. Click on Continue to return to the Course reuse screen.

7. Download Backup

Scroll down to User private backup area. Locate the desired backup file and click on Download.  Save the file to the desired folder on your computer.

Create a Moodle Backup File (from archive server)

This section outlines steps for backing up a file in Moodle 3.8.  Follow these steps if you are backing up a course located on the Moodle archive server.

1. Locate the course to be backed up

  1. After logging into Moodle, click the Moodle Course Archives link at the top of the page.
  2. You may need to login to the archive server.  Look for the Login button in the upper-right corner of your screen.
  3. Once you have access to the archive server, enter the course you want to back up.

2. Begin the backup process

Once you have entered the course you want to back up content from, click on the gear icon in the upper-right corner of your screen to open the menu and choose Backup.

3. Initial settings

The backup process has five steps.  The first is Initial settings.  In nearly all cases, the default settings on this screen can be left unchanged.  Click the Next button at the bottom of the screen.

4. Schema settings

On this screen, you can choose individual items to include or exclude from your backup.  To backup all class content, leave all items selected and click on Next. If there are items that you do not want to backup, click on the check mark beside that item to deselect that item. Deselecting the bold section headings (e.g., "General" in the below example) will remove all items in that section from the backup file.

5. Confirmation and review

This screen allows you to double-check the settings you've chosen.  You can also change the filename of the backup file.  However, keep the extension of the file as .mbz so Moodle can recognize it as a backup file when you restore it.  When satisfied, click the Perform backup button at the bottom of the screen.  A backup file will be created, and a confirmation message will appear. Click on Continue.

6. Download backup file

Backup files will appear in the User private backup area.  Locate the correct backup file and click on Download.  Save the backup file to the desired location on your computer.  The backup file is now ready to be uploaded into a new Moodle class or saved for use at a later date.

Download Course Content

1. Begin download process

Navigate to the course site that you would like to download.  In the Course Menu select More and choose Download course content.

2. Confirm download

A pop-up will appear.  Click the Download button to continue. When prompted, save the file to the desired folder on your computer.

3. Extract zipped content

Downloaded course content will be stored in a Zip archive file. Extract the content by double-clicking (Mac) or right-clicking and selecting Extract all (Windows PC).

4. View content

Within the extracted folder, locate the index.html file.  Double click this file to view the course website. The website will contain a link for each course item.  

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