Update a SCORM activity

Updating a SCORM activity allows you to replace the learning content without losing existing activity settings. This is useful when making small content fixes, swapping out media, or refreshing package versions—without needing to recreate the activity.

Totara supports multiple methods for updating SCORM packages, including uploading a new file, using repository aliases for auto-updating, or referencing unzipped SCORM content directly from a file system repository.

There may be times when you need to update a SCORM package but need to retain the completion data and current learners' progress. For example, you may have updated text in an e-learning module without adding new content. In order to retain this data, you need to ensure that the new SCORM package's IMS manifest file has the same item identifier as the current SCORM package.

If you need to update a SCORM package that is used in multiple courses, it is useful to turn on auto-updating. You can do this by following these steps:

Upload a SCORM package manually

This method is ideal for occasional updates and works well if you’re not using a shared repository.

1. Go to the course and select Turn editing on.

2. For the existing SCORM activity you wish to update, click Edit then Edit settings.

3. In the Package file area, click on the existing SCORM, and select Delete, click Ok to confirm you wish to delete the file, or Cancel.

4. The either:

   1. Click the File picker icon () and select your zipped SCORM file from a destination.

   2. Drag and drop your zipped SCORM file into the Package file area.

5. Complete the rest of the settings.

6. Click Save and return to course or Save and display to launch the updated SCORM.

If you update the SCORM using the method described above, and you want to keep user’s progress and completion data, you need to check that the current and new SCORM packages have the same item identifier in their IMS manifest files. If the new package has a different number, you will lose your completion and progress data.

It is worth checking your authoring tools documentation on how you can check the identifier and edit the identifier in a SCORM file.

Use a repository alias with auto-update

This is a more scalable approach if you manage SCORM packages in a central repository. It allows you to link to a file in the repository and have Totara check for updates automatically.

1. Turn editing on in the course.

2. Click Add an activity or resource, then choose SCORM package.

3. Enter a Name and Description.

4. In the Package file area, click File picker icon () to open the file picker.

5. Select the repository where your SCORM .zip packages are stored.

6. Browse and select the SCORM .zip file, and choose.

7. Select Create an alias/shortcut to the file, this links to the file rather than uploading a separate copy.

8. Set the Auto-update frequency:

   1. Every day – Totara checks for updates overnight.

   2. Every time it’s used – Checks each time a user accesses the activity.

9. 1. Click Save and return to course or Save and display to launch the updated SCORM.

Next steps

• Add a SCORM activity

• SCORM troubleshooting