Why is there no SCORM tab in my Canvas course?

It's either hidden in Settings > Navigation, or your institution hasn't enabled the SCORM tool at all. Check navigation first, then ask your Canvas administrator.

Why aren't SCORM grades showing in the Canvas gradebook?

Most likely the package was imported as a page or module item rather than as an assignment. Only the assignment import type passes grades back. It's also possible the package reports completion but never sends a score.

Do I need to publish SCORM content in Canvas?

Yes, and in two places — the SCORM item itself and the module it sits in. An unpublished module hides everything inside it from students.

Product & Updates

How to Upload a SCORM Course to Canvas LMS

July 25, 2026

Canvas supports SCORM through a dedicated SCORM tab rather than as a normal file upload, and getting grades into the gradebook takes an extra step most guides skip.

Uploading

Open your Canvas course and select SCORM in the course navigation. If it isn't there, enable it under Settings → Navigation.
Select Upload and choose your .zip package.
Wait for the import to finish — Canvas processes in the background and the row appears when ready.

Choosing the import type

Once uploaded, Canvas asks how the package should behave. This choice determines whether it can be graded:

Import as an assignment — the package appears as a gradeable assignment and scores flow into the gradebook. Choose this if your course has a quiz or you need grades.
Import as a page/module item — the package is content only. Simpler, but no grade passback.
Import as an ungraded assignment — tracks completion without a score.

You can't easily change this later, so decide before importing. If you're unsure and the course contains any assessment, import as an assignment.

Publishing

Canvas hides unpublished content from students entirely. After import, publish both the SCORM item and the module it sits in — an unpublished module hides a published item inside it.

Testing

Use Student View (the button on the course home page). Complete the course, then check the gradebook. If you imported as an assignment and no grade appears, the package isn't sending a score — check that your quiz reports a score, not just a completion status.

Common problems

No SCORM tab — it's disabled in course navigation, or your institution hasn't enabled the SCORM tool. Ask your Canvas admin.
Import spins forever — usually an oversized package. Canvas has institution-set limits; host media externally or reduce the package size.
Grades don't appear — the package was imported as a page rather than an assignment, or it isn't reporting a score.
Students can't see it — something in the chain is unpublished.