How to Backup and Export a Moodle Course in Version 4.0
As a Moodle administrator or course creator, one of the essential tasks you may need to perform is exporting a course as a backup file. This process allows you to save a course in case of any unexpected changes, errors, or the need for course duplication. In Moodle 4.0, this task has a few differences compared to older versions, such as 3.11 or 3.6. If you’re new to Moodle 4.0 or just need a refresher on backing up a course, this guide will walk you through the process.
Step 1: Navigate to the Course Reuse Section
To begin, open your Moodle course and find the More option in the course administration menu. From there, look for the Course Reuse option. Moodle 4.0 offers a streamlined way to handle course backups and reuse. Selecting Course Reuse will present you with several options, including:
- Course Copy
- Import
- Backup
- Restore
- Reset
One of the coolest features of the Course Reuse section is the ability to copy a course. You can create a template course, and whenever you need to create a new course, you can simply copy the template. This is a huge time-saver if you frequently set up similar courses. But for now, let’s focus on the Backup option.
Step 2: Choosing to Backup the Course
Once you’ve selected Backup, Moodle will guide you through the process. The first thing you’ll see is a list of options related to what you want to include in the backup file. By default, Moodle selects various data elements to back up, but there’s one crucial change you’ll want to make:
Remove the tick next to “Include enrolled users” unless you want to back up actual student data along with the course content. If you’re just backing up the course for development purposes—without student data—uncheck this option. This will ensure that only the course content (like quizzes, assignments, and materials) is backed up, without any student information.
Step 3: Review and Confirm
After unchecking the “Include enrolled users” option (if desired), you can move on by selecting Next. Moodle will display a detailed list of everything that will be included in the backup, such as:
- Assignments
- Quizzes
- Uploaded files
- Glossary entries
- Topics and other course content
Take a moment to review the selection and confirm that everything you need is included. Once you’re happy with the selections, you can proceed to the next step.
Step 4: Set the File Name
Moodle will automatically assign a filename to the backup. The default name will include the course name, the course ID number, and a timestamp indicating the date and time the backup was created. The backup file will be saved as an .mbz file, which is essentially a compressed archive of the course, containing all your content, activities, and settings.
You can leave the default filename as is or modify it if you prefer. Once you’re ready, click Perform Backup to start the process.
Step 5: Download the Backup
After the backup process is completed successfully, you’ll be directed to a confirmation page where you can access your backup. Moodle will store the backup file in your private backup area, where you can download it whenever needed. Simply click Download, and you’ll have a copy of your course file ready to restore at any time.
This backup file serves as a safeguard in case anything goes wrong with the course later on. In a future video, I’ll show you how to restore a course from this backup file, so you’re always prepared for any changes that may come up.
Conclusion
Backing up your Moodle course is a simple but critical process to ensure that your hard work is safely stored. By following these steps in Moodle 4.0, you can back up your course, make copies, and create templates with ease. Whether you’re looking to archive a course, prepare for updates, or reuse content, having a backup ensures that your course data remains secure.
Stay tuned for more in-depth tutorials on Moodle features!
