Knowledge Base – Canvas LMS Question Banks Management Guide – Center for Teaching and Learning

Guide Outline

2. Text file management for quizzing

Populate Canvas Quizzes from a Text File

The Text-to-QTI Quiz Converter changes a plain text file to a QTI (Quiz and Test Interoperability) file format. QTI specifications enable the exchange of quiz content between authoring tools, test banks, test construction tools, learning platforms, assessment delivery systems, and scoring/analytics engines.

The file generated by the converter tool only works for import into Canvas. The alternative to using this converter/generator is to Create Your Quizzes and Add Questions Manually in Canvas (Link🔗) one by one.

Formatting Your Questions

This tool allows for Multiple Choice, True/False, Multiple Answer, and Essay. You can also create question groups (also known as question pools) using this tool.

STEP 1 | Open a word processor (Word, Docs, Notepad, etc.) or use one of our templates (Please check Support Resources – Left Menu- for Basic & Advanced templates)

STEP 2 | Add your questions. Making sure to format each question after a number and a period. Potential answer choices should be listed with a letter and closed parenthesis “)” and indicating the correct answer with an asterisk (*).

Sample Question

1. What is 2+3?

a) 6

b) 1

*c) 5

Sample Question

1. 2+3 is 5?

*a) True

b) False

Sample Question

1. Which of the following are dinosaurs?

[ ] Woolly mammoth

[*] Tyrannosaurus rex

[*] Triceratops

[ ] Smilodon fatalis

Sample Question

1. Write an essay.

_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________

STEP 3 | Save your file as a plain text file (.txt) or even better, a UTF-8 text file.

Converting Your File to a QTI Zip Package

STEP 1 | Open any Text-to-QTI Quiz Converter: Text to QTI Converter provided by SDSU (Link🔗) Or Text to QTI Converter provided by NYIT (Link🔗)

STEP 2 | Drag and drop your .txt file into the blue square

NOTE: If you get a formatting error message, it is referring to a line in your file, open your file and inspect the formatting on that line. Here are examples of correct formatting (Link🔗).

STEP 3 | If your file is successful, it will automatically download or prompt you to save the file.

STEP 4 | Do not unzip or open the download.

Upload Your Quiz to Canvas

STEP 1 | Go to the Canvas course in which you want to add the quiz.

STEP 2 | From the menu on the Course Home Page select “Import Existing Content” or go into Course Settings then click “Import Course Content” QTI import to Canvas (Link🔗)

STEP 3 | Select “QTI .zip file” from the Content Type dropdown menu

STEP 4 | Click on “Choose File”, locate the .ZIP file and click the zipped file that was generated by the converter tool

STEP 5 | Click “Import.” The status will probably appear under “Current Jobs” after upload.

STEP 6 | A quiz and a question bank will be created from the file you just uploaded and can be found in Quizzes. You should always preview the quiz before releasing to students.

Guide Outline

2. Text file management for quizzing