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How do I import grades in the Gradebook?

You can use a CSV file to upload changes to the Gradebook. You can upload information for existing assignments, or you can also use a CSV file to create new assignments in the Gradebook. New assignments will automatically be published in your course. If you do not know how to save a file in a CSV format, please check the documentation for the program you are using to create your Gradebook changes (e.g., Excel).

If you create a column for a new assignment, Canvas will ask how you want to import the assignment. New assignments upload with the following settings:

Assignment Group: Assignments
Submission Type: No submission
Due date for: Everyone

Notes:

The Gradebook CSV file downloads complete/incomplete assignments as full or no credit (e.g. for a 10-point assignment, 10 or 0). Scores with full or partial credit upload as a complete assignment; scores with zero upload as an incomplete assignment.
CSV file uploads can create assignments and update grades; they cannot update any other area of the Gradebook, such as assignment status, comments, or grade posting policies.
Letter Grade and GPA Scale assignments do not support any entries that are not part of the assignment's grading scheme.
All changes made to non-read-only columns are included in the upload. However, read-only columns are automatically ignored in the upload.
When multiple grading periods is enabled, CSV file uploads cannot create new assignments. Currently new assignments must be created in the Canvas interface. Additionally, CSV files are verified against grading period close dates; grades cannot be changed for any assignment in a closed grading period.
An upload will not recognize assignments names containing the text Current Score, Current Points, Current Grade, Final Score, Final Points, Final Grade, Override Score, Override Grade, Override Status.
To upload changes to the Gradebook with student or assignment names containing special characters, please ensure the file is saved as a UTF-8 CSV.
CSV file uploads ignore reserved column names as well as hidden and deleted custom columns. Reserved column names include Student, ID, SIS User ID, SIS Login ID, Section, Integration ID, and Root Account.
Grade changes to Classic Quiz submissions may display as fudge points in SpeedGrader.

View the video transcript

00:05: How do I import grades in the Gradebook?

00:08: For new files,

00:08: save the file as Grades-Course_Name.csv. The required columns and their order are

00:14: Student Name, Student ID, S.I.S.

00:15: User ID, S.I.S. Login ID, Section, and Assignment. The S.I.S. columns are

00:22: only required if you use S.I.S..

00:25: The Assignment column can be used for existing or new assignments. Retain the same IDs

00:30: for existing assignments.

00:34: In Course Navigation, click the Grades link.

00:37: Click the Import button.

00:40: Click the Choose File or Browse button, depending on your browser.

00:44: Locate the CSV file then click the Open button.

00:48: Click the Upload Data button.

00:51: If you add a new column to the CSV file and then upload the file, Canvas will ask you

00:56: what you want to do with the new column. In the drop-down menu,

00:59: choose the A new assignment option.

01:02: Then assign the number of points possible. Click the Continue button.

01:07: Review the changes made to your Gradebook. Any changes that will result in a lower

01:11: grade than the previous version are highlighted in red.

01:14: If you upload assignments with no grade changes, they will be hidden from the

01:18: upload.

01:19: Click the Save Changes button.

01:22: View the updated data in the Gradebook.

01:25: This guide covered how to import grades in the Gradebook.

Create CSV File

CSV file template showing the required student and assignment columns

For new files, save the file as Grades-Course_Name.csv.

Required columns and order

Student Name
Student ID
SIS User ID (only required if you use SIS)
SIS Login ID (only required if you use SIS)
Section
Assignment (this can be for an existing assignment or a new assignment; retain IDs for existing assignments)

Notes:

If you don't want to create a new CSV file, you can always download the CSV from Canvas, change it, and re-upload the same file and the changes you made will appear in Canvas once you re-upload the CSV file.
If Discussion Checkpoints are enabled in your course, the CSV will show additional columns.
- Graded Discussion with Checkpoints (if applicable)
- Graded Discussion with Checkpoints Reply to Topic (if applicable)
- Graded Discussion with Checkpoints Replies Required (if applicable)

Open Gradebook

Course Navigation with the Grades link highlighted

In Course Navigation, click the Grades link.

Upload Scores

Gradebook with the Import button highlighted

Click the Import button.

Choose File

Import dialog with the Choose File button highlighted

Click the Choose File or Browse button (depending on your browser).

Open File

File browser with a CSV file and Open button highlighted

Locate the CSV file [1] then click the Open button [2].

Upload Data

Import dialog with the Upload Data button highlighted

Click the Upload Data button.

Upload New Data

Import dialog with the assignment type drop-down, points field, and Continue button highlighted

If you add a new column to the CSV file and then upload the file, Canvas will ask you what you want to do with the new column. In the drop-down menu, choose the A new assignment option [1]. Then assign the number of points possible [2]. Click the Continue button [3].

Notes:

When multiple grading periods is enabled, CSV file uploads cannot create new assignments.
New assignments created via a CSV file upload are automatically published and maintain the course posting policy.

Save Changes

Gradebook import preview with the grade changes, rows highlighted in red, hidden rows, and Save Changes button highlighted

Review the changes made to your Gradebook [1]. Any changes that will result in a lower grade than the previous version are highlighted in red [2].

If you upload assignments with no grade changes, they will be hidden from the upload [3].

Click the Save Changes button [4].

View Updated Gradebook

Gradebook showing the updated imported data

View the updated data in the Gradebook.

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