Export — creates a ZIP package of course content only (no grades, submissions, or user data). Use this when you want to reuse course materials for a future class.
Archive — creates a ZIP package of course content plus all user interactions and submissions. It's meant as a permanent record for compliance/retention, not for reteaching. Restoring an archive brings back all the original student data. Blackboard LMS runs automatic daily archives of every active course, and you can create archives manually as needed.
For more information, visit Export, Archive, and Restore Courses