Export and Save Quizzes from Canvas

Overview

This article walks you through how to export quiz files from Canvas for both Classic Quizzes and New Quizzes. Each export produces a ZIP file containing your quiz content in QTI format, which you can save locally for backup or repurposing. The article also covers how to use Microsoft Copilot to convert that exported file into a formatted Word document suitable for use as a paper exam.

Classic Quizzes Export and Save

1. Click the Settings link.
   
2. Click the Export Course Content button.
   
3. Click the radio button for Quiz Export [1].
4. Select the Quizzes you want to export [2].
5. Click the Create Export button [3]. Your quiz will export as a ZIP file. 
   NOTE: When you create an export, Canvas creates an export archive [4] where you can download prior export files.
   
6. When the export is complete, click the New Export link.
   
7. Once the file has been downloaded, locate the ZIP file on your computer. To open the file, either double-click to open it (Mac users) or right-click the file and select Extract All (PC users).
8. Select a location to store the quiz files (there will be 2 files).
   • Consider renaming the main quiz file, as the default file name will consist of about 25 letters and numbers and have the file extension .xml.

New Quizzes Export and Save

1. In Course Navigation, click the Quizzes link.
   NOTE: You can also access graded quizzes from the Assignments page.
   
2. To export a quiz, find the quiz you want to open [1]. To open the Build page, click the Options icon [2] and then click the Build link [3].
   
3. Click the Exports tab.
   
4. Click the Create Export button.
   
5. When the export is complete, click the Quiz Export link. You’ll also receive an email when your export is ready to download.
   
6. Once the file has been downloaded, locate the ZIP file on your computer. To open the file, either double-click to open it (Mac users) or right-click the file and select Extract All (PC users).
7. Select a location to store the quiz files (there will be 2 files).
   • Consider renaming the main quiz file, as the default file name will consist of about 25 letters and numbers and have the file extension .xml.

Use AI to Convert Your QTI File to a Word Document

Your UWEC credentials give you access to Microsoft Copilot’s secure, generative AI. You can use CoPilot to convert the exported QTI file to a Word document formatted as an exam key or as a printable version to use as a paper exam.

1. Log in to Copilot with your UWEC credentials and start a new chat.
2. Upload your QTI file and enter a prompt such as: Convert this attached QTI file into a Word document. Use numbered lists for the questions, letters for the multiple-choice answers, and mark the correct answers. Remove HTML tags. If you want correct answers marked a specific way—such as in bold or listed below each question—include that in your prompt.
3. Open the Word document once it is complete. Verify the accuracy of the questions and answers by comparing them to Canvas. If satisfactory, save this file to your OneDrive.

A few things to know:

• Copilot saves files it creates to My Files > Documents > Copilot > Created folder. Files you upload go to My Files > Microsoft Copilot Chat Files.
• Images are not always carried over automatically. Check the ZIP file for a folder called web_resources—that's where they'll be.
• IMPORTANT: Copilot handles most Classic Canvas quiz formats well, but results aren't guaranteed. Review every question carefully before making the quiz available to students.