You can enter grades in an external application and import them into Brightspace using a CSV, TSV, or TXT file. You can also create new grade items by adding a column for each new item in your import file. Any grades you import for discussion grade items and assignment grade items are also synchronized back to Discussions and Assignments as published feedback.
Your import file must follow a standard format; use the Grades sample import file as a reference. Even if you prefer to enter grades with an import file, D2L recommends that you set up your grade book in Brightspace.
To prepare your import file
You can download a sample CSV file as a starting point for your import.
- From your course navbar, click Grades.
- In the Enter grades section, click Import.
- Click Grades_Sample_Import_File.csv and choose a location to save the file if prompted.
- Update the file with your grading information as shown in the following table.
Sample grading information
| Field |
Description |
Example |
|---|
| OrgDefinedID |
A unique number for identifying a user in Brightspace. You must provide a Username or Org Defined ID, or both. |
20067930 |
| Username |
A unique name for identifying a user in Brightspace. You must provide a Username or Org Defined ID, or both. |
Frank.Catcher |
| Points Grade |
Numeric and Pass/Fail grade items should be labeled with the grade item name followed by “Points Grade”. Users’ grades should be the points grade they received. For example, 44 points out of a possible 50 points. |
44 |
| Grade Symbol |
Select box grade items should be labeled with the grade item name followed by “Grade Symbol”. Users’ grades should be a pre-existing grade scheme symbol. For example, “Very Good,” “Merit,” or “3.5.” |
Very Good |
| Text Grade |
Text grade items should be labeled with the grade item name followed by “Text Grade”. Users’ grades can be any text value. Text grade items do not count toward users’ final grades. |
Perfect Attendance! |
| Adjusted Final Grade Numerator |
The total points a user achieved in a course. You can enter a user’s percentage grade, without the percent sign, if you enter the denominator as 100. For example, 84 points out of 100 points or 230 points out of 285 points. |
84 |
| Adjusted Final Grade Denominator |
The total possible points available in a course. Enter 100 if you want to record users’ percentage grades. For example, _ / 100 points available or _ / 285 points available. |
100 |
| End-of-Line Indicator | Line-Leading Character |
The last column must be labeled “End-of-Line Indicator” so the system knows when the next set of data begins. The end of each user’s line should be indicated with the pound key “#”. When exporting a CSV file in Excel, the pound key “#” appears as a line-leading character. |
# |
|
Note:
- If you enter a grade that exceeds the maximum value for a grade item, it is capped at the maximum unless the Can Exceed setting was enabled during grade item setup. For more information, refer to Create and delete grade categories and items.
- If you are importing grades into an existing grade item, include a column header in your CSV that matches the existing grade item name exactly. Brightspace matches your CSV columns to existing grade items using these headers. If a CSV column header does not match an existing grade item name, Brightspace does not import grades into that existing column.
- Do not include additional fields such as user first names, email addresses, or weighted grades in your import file.
- To optimize performance when importing grades for large classes, import only the grade items that have changed and, when possible, filter the import by group or section.
- You can import grades only for Numeric, Pass / Fail, Select box, Text, and Final Adjusted Grade.
|
To import grades into Brightspace
- From the Navigation bar, click Grades.
- In the Enter grades section, click Import.
- Under Import File, click Choose File and select your import file. Ensure that your CSV includes the correct column header that matches the existing grade item name.
- Choose your file and click Continue.
- If you want to create a new grade item when an unrecognized item is found, select Create new grade item when an unrecognized item is referenced.
- Click Continue.
- The system matches your CSV columns to existing grade items. If a column matches an existing grade item, the grades are imported into that column.
- Review information for unrecognized items that were found, and then click Continue.
- Set properties for your imported grade items:
- Category: Assignments, Quizzes, Discussion Participation, Exams.
- Maximum Points: Maximum grade value.
- Can Exceed: Allows users' grades to exceed the maximum points specified for the item.
- Bonus: Allows you to add additional items on top of the calculated grade.
- Grade Scheme: Allows you to represent users' grades with symbols or labels.
- Click Continue.
- Review errors and warnings that were found, and then click Continue.
 | Important: Fields with an error are not imported. |
- Review the preview of items that will be imported and click Import.
- An Imported successfully message appears, and you are directed back to the Enter Grades screen.
Troubleshooting
The selected import file cannot be read when importing my grades CSV
In some locales, such as Spanish, Excel saves CSV files using a semicolon (“;”) instead of a comma (“,”) as the delimiter. Brightspace requires a comma.
- Open your CSV file in Notepad or another plain text editor.
- Replace all semicolons (“;”) with commas (“,”).
- Save the file and try importing again.
My grade import hangs or does not complete
If your course contains a very large number of grade items, for example 2000+, the import process may hang, even if you are importing grades for only a few students. This is a known limitation.
I can't import grades for certain grade item types
Brightspace supports importing grades only for these item types:
- Numeric
- Pass/Fail
- Select box
- Text
- Final Adjusted Grade
Formula and Calculated grade items are not supported for import.