How to Import Questions from Word to Canvas

Stop typing questions manually. Convert your documents to Canvas Quizzes in minutes.

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1

Format Your Document

You can write your questions in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or any text editor. Ensure you use the specific keywords (Q:, Answer:, etc.) shown below so our tool can read them.

Multiple Choice:
Q: What is the capital of France?
A. London
B. Berlin
*C. Paris
Feedback: Paris has been the capital since 987 AD.

Select All That Apply:
Q: Which are primary colors?
*A. Red
B. Green
*C. Blue
D. Orange
*E. Yellow

Essay:
Q: Describe the causes of the revolution.
(No answer options = essay question)

Reading Passage:
[passage]
The sun was setting over the harbor.

Jonah pulled his coat tighter.
[/passage]

Q: What time of day is it?
A. Sunrise
*B. Evening

Code Snippet:
Q: What does this print?
[code]
def greet(name):
    print("Hi " + name)

greet("Sam")
[/code]
A. Nothing
*B. Hi Sam

A [passage] placed before your questions is shown with every question that follows it — start another [passage] to switch, or an empty [passage][/passage] to stop. Inside [passage] and [code] blocks, blank lines, indentation, numbered lines and A–E lines are kept exactly as typed.

Use * before a letter to mark correct answers. Use multiple * for select-all-that-apply. You can also use Answer: C or Answer: A, C instead.

You can also upload a .docx or .txt file directly instead of pasting text.

2

Convert to QTI Format

Canvas cannot read Word docs directly. You need a QTI .zip file.

  1. Copy your text from your document.
  2. Go to our Free QTI Converter.
  3. Paste the text into the box.
  4. Click Download QTI Zip.

You will now have a file named quiz_export.zip (or similar) on your computer.

3

Import into Canvas

Works with Canvas New Quizzes. | Directions with screenshots

Import Inside a Quiz
  1. Create a "New Quiz" assignment in Canvas.
  2. Open the quiz builder (Click Build).
  3. In the top right, click the three dots (...).
  4. Select Import Content.
  5. Drag and drop your zip file into the box.
  6. Click Import.
Import via Course Settings
  1. Go to your course Settings.
  2. Click Import Course Content (right sidebar).
  3. For Content Type, select QTI .zip file.
  4. Upload your zip file.
  5. Choose All content or select specific items.
  6. Click Import. The quiz will appear in your Quizzes section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Currently, this is a text-only converter. Canvas security makes it difficult to import images via simple zip files without complex packaging. We recommend importing the text first, then adding images directly in Canvas.

Yes! The QTI Converter is 100% free for teachers. If you want to use our AI Generation tools to write the questions for you, you can create a free account.

Ready to try it?

Open QTI Converter