# Course Import and Export

Chamilo supports importing and exporting courses for backup, migration, and content sharing purposes.

## Exporting a Course

Teachers can export their own courses from the course Maintenance tool. As an administrator, you can export any course:

1. Enter the course
2. Access the **Maintenance** tool
3. Select **Export** or **Create a backup**
4. Choose what to include (content, user data, etc.)
5. Download the export file

The export creates a package containing the course's documents, exercises, forums, learning paths, and configuration.

## Importing a Course

To import a course from a Chamilo export file:

1. From the administration panel or within a course, access the import function
2. Upload the export file
3. Configure import options:
   * Whether to overwrite existing content
   * Whether to include user data
4. Run the import

## Common Cartridge

Chamilo supports the **IMS Common Cartridge 1.3** standard for interoperability with other learning management systems. You can:

* **Import** Common Cartridge packages (.imscc files)
* **Export** course content in Common Cartridge format

This allows content exchange with other platforms that support the Common Cartridge standard (Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, etc.).

## Moodle Import

Chamilo can import course backups from **Moodle**. The importer converts Moodle's content structure to Chamilo's format, including quizzes, documents, and course settings.

## Tips

* **Regular backups** — Encourage teachers to export their courses periodically as a backup
* **Test imports** — When importing content from another platform, test the import in a trial course first to verify that everything transferred correctly
* **Content portability** — Use Common Cartridge format when you need to share content with other LMS platforms