Can you update digital learning without the source files?

This question usually comes up when a piece of digital learning needs updating, and the original files can’t be accessed.

This tends to happen for one of two reasons: the learning was built by an external supplier and the source files weren’t handed over, or they have been lost over time.

Either way, the same question tends to come up: can it be updated without starting again?

The short answer is yes, sometimes.

In many cases, not having the source files is what turns a small update into a full rebuild. What’s possible depends on what you have access to and the type of change you’re trying to make.

What are source files?

‘Source files’ are the original file format in which an asset was created (and generally are editable in the software tool in which they were made). Think Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, Photoshop files or an After Effects project.

In the digital learning world, things like an eLearning course, an animated video, or another type of digital learning asset are likely most commonly required. When it’s ready to go, it’s exported into a delivery format, like a SCORM course for use on an LMS, an .mp4 video or a PDF document.

Working with eLearning that only exists as a SCORM file

This is where most teams get caught out.

If the only file you have access to is a SCORM package, you’re dealing with the final output of an eLearning course, not something designed to be edited.

Unless the authoring tool allows that SCORM file to be reimported and reconstructed, any required updates will probably mean you’ll need to rebuild the course from scratch.

What about video-based learning?

Some changes may be possible without the source files, depending on how the video was created. Trimming sections can sometimes work, but voiceovers, background music, and on-screen timing all affect what’s realistic.

Removing or adjusting content can quickly lead to awkward audio, broken pacing, or edits that feel noticeable rather than intentional.

PDFs are more flexible, but still have limits

You can usually make small text or graphic changes in a PDF using tools like Adobe Acrobat, but it’s rarely as clean as working from the original source file.

As with eLearning and video, the further you are from the original files, the more constrained your options become.

How to avoid this problem in the future

Once you’ve been caught out by missing source files, it tends to change how you approach the next project.

When you’re working with external suppliers, the most important thing you can do is be clear about ownership and handover from the start. That means thinking ahead about which assets are likely to change over time and making sure the original build files are included at the end of the project, not just the exported versions.

It’s also worth understanding which tools or software those files are created in, and whether your team or another supplier could realistically work with them in the future.

This won’t make every update simple, but it does protect your options and reduce the risk of small changes turning into full rebuilds.

Your source files, handed over as standard

When you work with Mint, all source files are handed over on project completion.

If you’re planning a digital learning project and want that same level of control from day one, we’d love to hear more about what you’re working on.