Overview
The Canvas disruption in May of 2026 was a reminder that, even when things usually run smoothly, unexpected issues can happen. Although an event like that is unlikely to occur again, it highlighted the value of having a simple plan, just in case. Canvas maintains extensive backup and disaster recovery processes, including regular backups and data replication, but access may still be unavailable during a major outage or security incident while recovery efforts are underway. The most valuable step, downloading grades, only takes a few minutes.
Educators often build flexibility into their teaching with “plan B” approaches, and this guide follows that same idea. It offers a range of options with estimated times, so you can choose what works best for your course. Use it to create a backup plan that feels manageable and gives you peace of mind.
Save Backup Files to OneDrive
Save all files to OneDrive.
- Go to onedrive.uwec.edu.
- Sign in with your UWEC credentials.
- Click the + Create or upload button [1] and select Files upload [2].
- Navigate to where your .csv gradebook file was saved and click Open.
- Confirm your gradebook file appears in OneDrive as expected.
Download Grades
Refer to the Download Grades guide on the CETL Canvas website.
Minimum recommendation: Download grades at least twice each term, once at midterm and again after final grades have been submitted.
Additional recommendation: Download grades more frequently, especially after substantial grading activity.
Estimated time: Five minutes per course.
Download Readable Course Copy
The Export Course Content option creates a readable offline copy of published course pages, assignments, modules, files, and other course content. Discussions and quizzes include descriptions only. Unpublished content, grades, student submissions, and discussion replies are not included.
Refer to the How do I view course content offline as an HTML file as an instructor? guide.
Optional strategy: Consider this option if you would like offline access to course materials during an extended Canvas outage or other disruption.
Storage recommendation: Save exported files to OneDrive. To keep files organized, use a consistent folder structure such as 2026 Fall, 2027 Spring, or 2027 Summer, and create subfolders for individual courses as needed.
Estimated time: Five to 10 minutes per course.
Export Course Package
A course package export creates a Canvas backup file. This file is not designed for reading outside Canvas. It is most useful if you need to restore course content or import materials into another Canvas course. Student grades, submissions, and course activity are not included in the export.
Refer to the How do I export a Canvas course? guide.
Optional strategy: Consider this option if you would like a Canvas-compatible backup of your course that can be imported into Canvas in the future.
Storage recommendation: Save exported files to OneDrive. To keep files organized, use a consistent folder structure such as 2026 Fall, 2027 Spring, or 2027 Summer, and create subfolders for individual courses as needed.
Estimated time: Five to 15 minutes per course, depending on course size.
Export Quiz Content
Quizzes often represent a significant investment of time and may be among the most difficult course materials to recreate. Canvas allows both Classic Quizzes and New Quizzes to be exported as QTI files for backup purposes. These files can also be converted into Word documents, providing a readable version that may be useful during an extended outage or when preparing paper-based assessments.
Refer to the Export and Save Your Quiz File from Canvas guide on the CETL Canvas website.
Optional strategy: Prioritize quizzes that are heavily used, difficult to recreate, or shared with other instructors.
Storage recommendation: Save exported quiz files and any Word versions to OneDrive. Store them within the same semester and course folder structure used for other course backups.
Estimated time: Five to 15 minutes per quiz, depending on the number of questions and whether a Word version is created.
Save Rubrics
Enhanced Rubrics can be exported as CSV files, providing a readable backup of rubric criteria, ratings, and point values. Consider saving rubrics that would be difficult to recreate or that are reused across multiple courses.
Refer to the Enhanced Rubrics guide on the CETL Canvas website.
Optional strategy: Prioritize complex rubrics and rubrics used in multiple courses.
Storage recommendation: Export rubrics one at a time and save the files to OneDrive. When multiple rubrics are exported together, they are combined into a single CSV file, which can make individual rubrics more difficult to locate and use later. Consider renaming each file to match the rubric name and storing it in a course-specific folder, such as 2026 Fall → BIOL 214 → Rubrics.
Estimated time: One to five minutes per rubric.
Save Important Announcements
Announcements often contain instructor guidance, course updates, assignment clarifications, and communication templates that may be useful during an extended Canvas outage. Consider saving any announcements that would be difficult to recreate or that are reused from term to term.
Optional strategy: Prioritize announcements that contain recurring instructions, exam information, course policies, or other information not available elsewhere in the course.
Storage recommendation: Copy announcement content into a Word document and save it to OneDrive. Consider creating a folder named Announcements within each course folder and grouping related announcements into a single document.
Estimated time: One to two minutes per announcement.
Summary
There is no single backup plan that works for every course. Downloading grades is the one strategy recommended for all instructors. Additional options can be selected based on course design, the amount of time available, and the importance of specific materials. Even a few simple backup steps can make it easier to continue teaching during an unexpected disruption.
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