Cardinal Quiz Converter Documentation

Important: This tool is in development and not yet launched. Features and documentation may change.

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 vary between quiz engines.

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

TextEdit (Built-in macOS)
Notepad (Built-in Windows)
Notepad++ (Windows)
Visual Studio Code (macOS, Windows)

Microsoft Word (macOS, Windows, Online)

Microsoft Excel (macOS, Windows, Online)

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.