Canvas / Upload quiz questions from a Word doc or spreadsheet

Objective

  • To provide instruction on uploading quizzes into Canvas
  • To provide instruction on manually creating a new quiz in Canvas

Scope

  • The following tool only works for Multiple Choice, True or False, or Multiple Answer
  • Up to 6 answers are possible
  • ONLY works with Classic Quizzes
  • Occasional issues with the characters: '  "  (due to UTF-8 encoding issues, review quizzes for errors)
  • Miami Online does not make or support this tool and its use is the responsibility of faculty
Current Tool: Kentucky State Converter & Document Setup Instructions (created by Dane Miller & Alexandre Adams, ITAC Help Desk Developers. K-State University 2014)

User

  • Canvas Instructor

Environment

  • 10185: Canvas

Cause

  • Instructor quizzes are on paper and not in Canvas
  • DUO does not allow the use of Respondus 4.0 to upload and convert quizzes

Procedure

Current tool

Tool: Kentucky State Converter & Document Setup Instructions (created by Dane Miller & Alexandre Adams, ITAC Help Desk Developers. K-State University 2014)

  • The above tool only works for Multiple Choice, True or False, or Multiple Answer
  • Up to 6 answers are possible
  • ONLY works with Classic Quizzes
  • Occasional issues with the characters: '  "  (due to UTF-8 encoding issues, review quizzes for errors)
  • Miami Online does not make or support this tool and its use is the responsibility of faculty

 

To upload your quizzes to Canvas using a Word or Google Doc

  1. You must convert the Word or Google doc to a spreadsheet
  2. Follow the steps in the section below, copying and pasting content from the Google or Word doc

 

To upload your quizzes to Canvas using a spreadsheet (CSV)

  1. Open a new Google Sheet or Excel sheet
  2. Name the File
    1. The name of the file will be the name of the Quiz once loaded into Canvas
  3. In Column A, denote the question type: MC (Multiple Choice), MA (Multiple Answer), MC (True or False)
  4. Leave Column B blank
  5. In Column C, denote the point value (numerical)
  6. In Column D, add the question (copy/paste for Word or Google Doc)
  7. In Column E, denote the correct answer
    1. For Multiple Choice: Write 1, if the correct answer is the first choice; write 2, if the correct answer is the second choice, and so on
    2. For True or False: Use 1 for True and 0 for False
    3. For Multiple Answer: Use a comma to separate
  8. In columns F-J, paste the possible answers
    • Here is a sample:
      • This table is an example of how to create a spreadsheet that will convert to quiz questions in Canvas using the Kentucky State Converter tool.
        Column A: Question Type MC, MR, the other MC Column B: Leave this column blank Column C: Add Question Column D: Correct # Choice Column E: Possible Answer 1 Column F: Possible Answer 2 Column G: Possible Answer 3 Column H: Possible Answer 4 Column I: Possible Answer 5 Column J: Possible Answer 6
        MC (Multiple Choice)   What is your Name? 1 Sir Lancelot Sir Galahad Sir Marrok Sir Gawain Merlin Morgana
        MR (Multiple Answer)   What is Your Quest? 2 To fix the wobbliness of the round table To seek the Holy Grail (emphasis on the seek) To be rid of this wretched 7 year curse!

        To fell the Green Knight

        		    
        MC (True or False)   True or False: Tharr be Dragons Here 0            
                           
      • Up to 6 answers are possible
      • Do NOT include header row (only data) and in Column A write MC or MR only
  9. Once completed, download the file as a CSV
    1. For Google Sheets: Select File > Download > Comma Separated Values (.csv)
    2. For Excel: Select File > Save As >  File Type: Comma Separated Values CSV (UTF-8 Code)
  10. Add .csv file to the Kentucky State Converter
  11. Successful conversion will generate a Zipped Folder
  12. Log in to Canvas and navigate to course where you want to add the quiz
  13. Select Settings > Import Content > Import QTI File
  14. Select the Zipped file
  15. Select Import
  16. A new, unpublished Classic Quiz will be created in the course
    • You can locate it in Quizzes in Course Navigation

 

AI Alternative Method

Tool: IgniteAI Question Authoring (available: 3/2026 to 6/2026)

  • Add up to 5 Multiple Choice questions at a time
  • New Quizzes only
  • Not a converter, an AI generator so please review for "mistranslations" and accuracy
  • For instructions, please follow the steps in How do I use IgniteAI Question Authoring for Quizzes?
    • Use File Upload method
    • Format the file like this:
      • What is your quest?
        • To fix the wobbliness of the round table
        • To seek the Holy Grail (emphasis on the seek) (Correct)
        • To be rid of this wretched 7 year curse!
        • To fell the Green Knight

 

Previous tool

Tool: San Diego converter - Word Doc (.doc or .docx only) or .txt file

Notes

  • Miami Online offers Canvas training
    • Office hours and support will be offered throughout each term. Look for an announcement in Canvas
  • Visit the Canvas Status Dashboard to check performance information for Canvas services
  • Instructure provides up-to-date instructor documentation and instructions for Canvas

 

Print Article