The Cardinal Quiz Converter transforms plain text (.txt), Microsoft Word (.docx), and CSV (.csv) files into QTI format, which can be imported into both Canvas Classic and New Quizzes. Different file formats support different features, and some behaviors may vary between quiz engines.
Where to Find the Quiz Cardinal Converter
The Converter Tool can be located directly at https://qti.uiw.edu
Alternatively, you can find the option within any Canvas course. To do this, select the three dots in the Quizzes menu and choose Convert File to QTI.
File Format Overview
Choose the format that best fits your workflow:
- TXT/Markdown (.txt, .md): Full feature support, human-readable, great for version control
- Microsoft Word (.docx): Full feature support, familiar interface for most users
- CSV (.csv): Limited to Multiple Choice and Multiple Response, ideal for bulk question creation
Best Practices by Format
TXT/Markdown Files
- Best for complex quizzes with feedback and custom settings
- Human-readable and version control friendly
- When adding new questions, we recommend leaving a blank line between each question as depicted in the template. While an empty line is not necessary, it may help with formatting and editing
- Supports all question types and features
- Use consistent formatting for easier editing
Microsoft Word Files
- Familiar interface for most users
- Supports all question types and features
- When adding new questions, we recommend leaving a blank line between each question as depicted in the template. While an empty line is not necessary, it may help with formatting and editing
- Good for collaborative editing
- Ensure consistent formatting when copying from other sources
CSV Files
- Ideal for bulk creation of simple multiple choice questions
- Easy to generate from databases or other systems
- Limited to MC and MR question types only
- No feedback or advanced features supported
- Perfect for standardized test banks
Recommended Programs by File Type
TXT/MD | DOCX | CSV |
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Supported Question Types
Question Type / Feature | TXT/MD | DOCX | CSV |
---|---|---|---|
Quiz Title and Description | Full Support | Full Support | Does Not Support |
Multiple Choice | Full Support | Full Support | Basic Support |
True/False | Full Support | Full Support | Basic Support |
Multiple Answer | Full Support | Full Support | Basic Support |
Numerical | Full Support | Full Support | Basic Support |
Short Answer/Fill in Blank | Full Support | Full Support | Basic Support |
Essay | Full Support | Full Support | Basic Support |
File Upload | Full Support | Full Support | Basic Support |
Feedback Options | Full Support | Full Support | Does Not Support |
Question Groups | Full Support | Full Support | Does Not Support |
Custom Quiz Settings | Full Support | Full Support | Does Not Support |
CSV Format Structure
CSV Limitations: Basic Support means CSV can create the question type but without advanced features like feedback, custom titles, or special formatting. No feedback, custom titles, question groups, or quiz settings. Questions use default formatting and point values from column C only.
CSV files must follow this exact column structure:
Column | Purpose | Values |
---|---|---|
A | Question Type | MC, MR, TF, NUM, NUMR, SA, ESSAY, UPLOAD |
B | Unused | Leave empty (required for formatting) |
C | Points | 0-100, up to 2 decimal places (e.g., 3.33) |
D | Question Text | The question content |
E | Correct Answer(s) | 1-5 for MC/TF, multiple numbers for MR, exact values for NUM, ranges for NUMR, pipe-separated answers for SA, ____ for ESSAY, ^^^^ for UPLOAD |
F-J | Answer Choices | Answer options (clear unused cells) |
Quiz Title and Description
TXT/MD/DOCX Format:
Quiz title: Addition Quiz
Quiz description: A quiz to test basic addition.
- Optional—if omitted, the quiz is named "Quiz" and has no description
- Colons are required after "Quiz title" and "Quiz description"
- CSV format does not support custom quiz titles or descriptions - Quizzes are titled 'Quiz' after import
Multiple Choice Questions
Supported in: TXT, MD, DOCX, CSV
TXT/MD/DOCX Format
1. What is the capital of Japan?
*a) Tokyo
b) Beijing
c) Seoul
d) Bangkok
- Mark correct answer with asterisk (*)
- Supports per-answer feedback
- No duplicate choices allowed
- For True/False, use MC format with True/False options
CSV Format
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MC | 5 | What is the capital of Japan? | 1 | Tokyo | Beijing | Seoul | Bangkok |
True/False Example:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TF | Q5 True or False | 1 | Water is liquid. | 1 | TRUE | FALSE |
- Use TF in column A for True/False questions
- Use 1 for True, 0 for False in column E
- Put TRUE and FALSE in columns F and G
- No feedback support in CSV format
Multiple Answer Questions
Supported in: TXT, MD, DOCX, CSV
TXT/MD/DOCX Format
2. Which of the following are fish?
[ ] Seal
[*] Shark
[*] Marlin
[ ] Orca
- Use brackets [ ] for options, [*] for correct answers
- Requires at least one correct answer
- Feedback supported only in Classic Quizzes
CSV Format
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MR | Q3 Multiple Answer | 1 | Which of the following are fish? | 23 | Seal | Shark | Marlin | Orca |
- Use MR in column A for Multiple Response
- List correct answer numbers without commas in column E (e.g., "23" for answers 2 and 3)
- No feedback support in CSV format
Numerical Questions
Supported in: TXT, MD, DOCX, CSV
TXT/MD/DOCX Format
What is π rounded to four decimals?
= 3.1416
What is a value between 10.5 and 12.0?
= [10.5, 12.0]
What is the square root of 2?
= 1.4142 +- 0.0001
- Classic Quizzes supports precision and range formats
- New Quizzes does not support Margin of Error values
- Feedback causes QTI errors - avoid using
CSV Format
Exact Answer Example:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NUM | Q7 Numerical Exact | 1 | What is 2+3? | 5 |
Range/Margin of Error Example:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NUMR | Q9 Numerical Range | 1 | What is the square root of 125? | 11.18033989 +- 0.0001 |
- Use NUM for exact numerical answers
- Use NUMR for ranges or margin of error
- Put the answer/range in column E
- Leave choice columns F-J empty
Short Answer/Fill in the Blank
Supported in: TXT, MD, DOCX, CSV
TXT/MD/DOCX Format
What is the capital of France?
*Paris
*paris
- List multiple acceptable answers with asterisks
- Imports as "Open Entry" in New Quizzes
- Dropdown and Word Bank must be set manually in Canvas
- Feedback causes QTI errors - avoid using
CSV Format
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SA | Q11 Short Answer | 1 | Where are we located? | UIW|San Antonio|Work|Office |
- Use SA in column A for Short Answer
- Separate multiple acceptable answers with pipe symbols (|) in column E
- Leave choice columns F-J empty
Essay Questions
Supported in: TXT, MD, DOCX, CSV
TXT/MD/DOCX Format
Describe the significance of the Renaissance.
____
- Use four underscores (____) to indicate essay response area
- Only general feedback is supported
- Answer-specific feedback causes conversion errors
CSV Format
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESSAY | Q13 Essay | 1 | Write an essay. | ____ |
- Use ESSAY in column A
- Put ____ in column E
- Leave choice columns F-J empty
File Upload Questions
Supported in: TXT, MD, DOCX, CSV
TXT/MD/DOCX Format
Submit your lab report as a PDF file.
^^^^
- Use four carets (^^^^) to indicate file upload
- Only one file upload per question is allowed
- Only general feedback is supported
CSV Format
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UPLOAD | Q15 File Upload | 1 | Upload a file. | ^^^^ |
- Use UPLOAD in column A
- Put ^^^^ in column E
- Leave choice columns F-J empty
Feedback Options
Supported in: TXT, MD, DOCX only
General Feedback
1. What is 2 + 3?
... General feedback: Remember to double-check your addition!
Correct/Incorrect Feedback
+ Correct! Great job.
- Not quite. Try again.
Answer-Specific Feedback
a) 6
... Feedback: This is close.
*b) 5
... Yes, that's the correct answer!
- Only Multiple Choice supports per-answer feedback in both Classic and New Quizzes
- Other question types support general feedback in Classic Quizzes only
- Feedback on Numerical and Short Answer causes QTI errors
- CSV format does not support any feedback options
Question Groups
Supported in: TXT, MD, DOCX only
Groups allow Canvas to randomly select from a set of questions.
GROUP
pick: 2
points per question: 1
1. Question 1
*a) True
b) False
2. Question 2
*a) True
b) False
END_GROUP
- pick: sets the number of questions shown (defaults to 1)
- points per question: sets the point value (defaults to 1)
- All questions in a group must be worth the same points
- CSV format cannot create question groups
Custom Quiz Settings
Supported in: TXT, MD, DOCX only
Settings must be placed directly below the description. Use true
or false
values:
shuffle answers: true
show correct answers: true
one question at a time: false
can't go back: false
- Behavior may vary between Classic and New Quizzes
- Always preview imported quizzes to confirm settings
- CSV format cannot set custom quiz options
Preview, Testing, and Templates
Always preview your quiz in Canvas after import. If you encounter issues:
- Check for unsupported feedback types
- Validate formats for Numerical and Grouped questions
- Manually review question groups and custom settings
- Verify CSV column structure and data types
- Test with a small sample before bulk importing
Templates
Templates are available for each format to help you get started. Download the appropriate template, modify it with your content, and upload to ensure proper formatting.