How to used the Canvas Rubric Import Tool with Enhanced Rubrics

Overview

Rubrics can be imported into Canvas if they are formatted as a CSV file following Instructure specifications.

  • Multiple rubrics can be imported from one CSV file: one row represents a single rubric, and will have multiple columns for each criteria
  • Rubrics will be imported with "Draft" status, which means they will not be available for use until they are saved. To save, open the rubric in edit mode and click "Save Rubric"
  • There are several settings that cannot be configured via the CSV: Type (Scale/Written feedback) Scored/Unscored, Rating Display (Points/Level), Rating Order (High>Low vs Low to High). So these settings must be checked and/or adjusted manually.

CSV Format

The file must be saved as a CSV with the following column headings:

Rubric Name, Criteria Name, Criteria Description, Criteria Enable Range, Rating Name 1, Rating Description 1, Rating Points 1, Rating Name 2, Rating Description 2, Rating Points 2, Rating Name 3, Rating Description 3, Rating Points 3.... etc

Criteria Enable Range: Boolean (TRUE or FALSE), FALSE should be chosen in most cases.

Rating Columns: If there are more than three rating levels, continue adding columns for Rating Name 4, 5 etc. There should be three columns for each rating: Rating Name, Rating Description (which can be blank) and Rating Points.

A template file is attached to this article.

Instructions

  1. Navigate to "Rubrics" in Course Navigation (or Account Navigation, for account-level rubrics). The import tool cannot be used when creating a new rubric from the assignment edit screen. So the Rubric must be created first, and then attached to an assignment using the "Find Rubric" workflow
  2. Click "Import Rubric"
  3. On the flyout menu that opens, there will be an opportunity to download the template. If you have not already done this, download the template and use it to format your import file.
  4. Drag the file into the box or click "Choose File to Upload" to navigate to the location of the import file.
  5. The import will begin immediately. When complete, the rubrics will appear on the Rubrics index page, under the name specified in the first column of the CSV. 
  6. Important: all newly-imported rubrics will have "Draft" status, which means they will not be available for use until they are saved. To save, open the rubric in edit mode and click "Save Rubric." While in edit mode, make any changes to the rubric, including settings, that are required.

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