Import Courses via the Data Loader

Learning modules can be added, updated and deleted in bulk at module, session and class level via the Course CSV Loader.  The Course CSV Loader imports a commaor semicolonseparated values (CSV) file containing a heading row and any number of data rows. Additional headers and data can be included for custom module and session attributes.

An extract of the first five fields in a Course CSV file as it would appear in a text editor

Action,ModuleID,ModuleLearningType,ModuleTitle,ModuleDescription

A,MOD-0123,O,Ethics in the Workplace,"The course is about the application of moral principles, standards of behavior, or set of values regarding proper conduct in the workplace as individuals and in a group setting. It teaches the learners to distinguish between right and wrong in the workplace."

Not every heading requires values for importing a Course CSV file, although specific fields must contain values based on the action and type of learning module. 

To add a new learning module, the following fields in your course template CSV file must have values:

  • Action
  • ModuleID
  • ModuleLearningType

The fields that must be populated with values to update or delete an existing learning module, session or class are as follows:

  • To update or delete a specific class, the ModuleID, SessionID, and the ClassStart and ClassEnd dates must be specified.
  • To update or delete a specific session, only the ModuleID and SessionID need to be specified.
  • To update or delete a learning module, only the ModuleID is required.

Preparing CSV Files for Import

To prepare a Course CSV file for import, you have two options:

  • Download a template CSV file from the Course CSV Loader page and fill in the necessary fields. This template includes any custom module and session attributes. The CSV template available for download from the Course CSV Loader page encompasses any custom module and session attributes.
  • Run report R246 or R247 to export one or more courses to a CSV file and update the field values.

If you experience issues importing a CSV file into the LMS, note that Microsoft Excel might apply additional formatting to the file upon opening. To avoid this, consider editing CSV files in a text editor instead. Ensure the data adheres to the required formatting specified in the corresponding CSV Formatting Help.

For detailed information about formatting data for the Course CSV Loader, please see Course CSV Loader Field Reference.

The values for text area fields, such as ModuleDescription, must be enclosed in double quotation marks (" ") so that they can include punctuation. Do not include commas or semi-colons in other fields as they could be interpreted as a field delimiter (depending on your choice of delimiter at import).

Import Courses with the CSV Loader

These instructions assume that you have a prepared import file ready for use. To add, update or delete courses in the LMS via the Course CSV Data Loader:

  1. Go to Manage Center > Learning > Import > Course CSV Loader.
  2. Click + Import CSV file.
  3. Click Choose File to select the CSV file to upload.
  4. If your CSV file was saved with a specific file encoding the LMS can automatically detect it, otherwise you can select it from the list.
  5. Choose the delimiter used to separate fields in your CSV file. It can be either a comma or a semicolon.
  6. Click the checkbox if you wish to send notification emails to instructors who are either assigned to or de-assigned from sessions, as per the configuration in the imported CSV file. 
  7. Choose whether to send learners notification emails, either per session or per module, indicating the availability of new sessions they have expressed interest in within the course. The sending of notifications is subject to the enrollment policy assigned to the learning module.
  8. Click Preview. The contents of the CSV file are shown in the Data Loader page. 
  9. Click Upload to import the CSV file. The Summary Report displays the count of records that were successfully imported from the file as well as those that failed.