How to edit, overwrite or update an existing file

This refers to Moodle 4.1 from December 2023 onwards

This guide gives a quick step-by-step of how to overwrite or update existing files within Moodle that you or a colleague have previously added.

Your Moodle module may contain files that you have published links to elsewhere.  If these documents need updating, you can simply delete them and upload new versions, but this means any links you have to these will stop working. The good news is you can simply overwrite them, maintaining their web addresses.  Here's how.

1. Navigate to the required module and click the 'Edit mode' slider (top right) to enable editing. 

2. Now click on the 'Three dots' icon for the item you wish to overwrite/update. This will give a drop-down menu of options, from these options click 'Edit settings'  

3. You will be taken to a screen where you update your file. On this screen, in the 'Select file' section, click on the file you would like to update / overwrite.

4. Click on the file's icon which will bring up a pop up window. You will then have the opportunity to change the details of the file (Name, Author, etc,.) and 'Update' the file. Or you can delete the file and re-upload it. 

5. To delete the file, click the 'Delete' button where you will be asked ‘Are you sure you want to delete this file?’ Click on 'OK'. 

6. Now either drag and drop the new file you wish to upload or you can upload by clicking the top left 'Add...' icon within the 'Select files' section.

7. A pop up will appear where you will need to click on the 'Upload a file' option, then click on the 'Choose File' button to find and select the new file. Then click on the 'Upload this file' button and your file will now appear in the box.

8. If you haven't already deleted the old file, you can overwrite an existing file then ensure that the file you want to use has the same name as the current file then add this to the box either by dragging and dropping or clicking the top left 'Add...' icon within the "Select files" section. A pop up window will appear informing that there is already a file with this name. You then have the option to rename or overwrite. Click the 'Overwrite' button and the file will overwrite the other one.

9. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the 'Save and return to module' button to complete the process.

You do not have to do anything further at this point as Moodle will replace the original file in place with the updated one you have just uploaded. Its link and position on the module's front page will remain the same as before but the file will now be the version you have just uploaded. It is recommended as good practice that you test this as a student to ensure that the correct file is displayed as expected.

10. When you have finished, click on the 'Edit mode' slidier button which is on the top-right corner of your Moodle page to disable editing.