Update or Remove Prefixes in Bulk

Background

The Prefix list in the Course Editor is built from the prefixes currently assigned to at least one course. There is no separate prefix list to edit. To remove an unwanted prefix, or to redesign your catalog naming scheme, give every course that uses it a different prefix. When no course uses the old prefix, it no longer appears in the list.

Deleting the courses would also remove the prefix, but we don't recommend it, because it erases their attendance and completion history. Changing a course's prefix keeps its enrollments, attendance, and completions.

Change a few courses in the Course Editor

For a handful of courses, editing each course is usually quickest.

1. In InstructorSite, go to Courses and search for the old prefix.
2. Open a course and select Edit.
3. In Prefix, select or type the new prefix.
4. In Number, enter the number you want.
   If another course already uses that prefix and number, the editor switches to the next available number and tells you.
5. Save the course.
6. Repeat for each course that uses the old prefix.

Change many courses with a CSV file

If you don't see Import/Export Data in Global Settings, use the Course Editor steps above.

1. Open your name menu and select Global Settings.
2. Under Miscellaneous, select Import/Export Data.
3. Select Export Data.
4. In Data Type, select Training Courses, then select Export.
   Your browser downloads a CSV file of your courses.
5. Open the file and delete the rows for courses you are not changing.
   Removing rows from the file does not delete those courses.
6. On each remaining row, change Prefix to the new prefix and set Number to a number no other course uses with that prefix.
7. Keep the ID column. The import uses it to match each row to the existing course.
8. Save the file in CSV format.
9. Return to Import/Export Data and select Import Data.
10. In Data Type, select Training Courses, choose your file, and select Validate File.
    UniversitySite checks every row before anything changes.
11. Fix any errors in the file and validate again. When the file validates, select Import.
12. On Select Columns for Import, clear every column you did not mean to change, then select Finish.
    Prefix and Number are always imported.

Frequently Asked Questions

The import says "The Prefix and Number exists for another Training Course." What do I do?

Another course already uses that prefix and number. Unlike the Course Editor, the import does not pick a new number for you. Choose an unused number for that row and validate the file again.

The import says the item already exists in the Recycle Bin.

A deleted course still holds that prefix and number. Either choose a different number, or go to Global Settings > Courses > Recycle Bin and restore or permanently delete the old course.

What happens if I remove the ID column?

Without IDs, the import can't match rows to your existing courses and treats them as new courses. Always keep the ID column when changing existing courses.

Can I undo the import?

Restore Data only removes courses that an import added. It does not undo changes to existing courses. Keep a copy of your original export so you can change the prefixes back with another import if needed.

Will learners lose their history?

No. Enrollments, attendance, and completions belong to the course, not its prefix, so they stay in place.