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Turn your class files into quiz questions you can take to Canvas

Upload a PDF, slide deck, DOCX or set of notes and get multiple-choice, true/false or open questions with explanations. Use them as practice, or export them for your course.

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Preparing quiz files for Canvas

Many instructors want Canvas quiz file uploads that test what was covered in class, but writing new questions for every lecture takes hours. DeckOwl starts from your own PDFs, slides or notes and drafts multiple-choice, true/false or open questions with explanations.

Upload a PDF, slides, DOCX, notes or a photo of a page to start a quiz.
Get multiple-choice, true/false or short answer questions with explanations.
Study in the browser on the free plan, which includes 3 generations per month.
Export to PDF or DOCX on Plus, or to QTI 2.1 and Moodle XML on Pro.

Example file upload questions for Canvas courses

Why are file upload answers usually graded by hand instead of automatically?Each upload is an arbitrary file with no fixed correct value, so the instructor has to open it and grade it against a rubric.

What does restricting allowed file types on an upload question do?It limits submissions to formats the instructor can open and grade, such as PDF or DOCX, and avoids unreadable files.

What is a common reason a student's file upload fails?The file is larger than the size limit or uses an extension the course does not allow, so the student should check both before the due date.

When is a file upload question better than a typed short answer?When the work cannot be typed well, such as a diagram, a code file or a handwritten calculation scanned as an image.

What belongs in a rubric for an uploaded quiz answer?Criteria with point values, such as the correct result, the method shown and clarity, so every submission is graded the same way.

Generate the full set

Questions from your own material

Upload PDFs, PowerPoint or Word files, plain notes, or photos of pages. Each quiz is built from the content you gave it.

Explanations for every answer

Each question comes with a short explanation, so students see why an answer is right or wrong before they review.

Export options by plan

Plus exports PDF and DOCX. Pro adds QTI 2.1 and Moodle XML, so you can check which format your learning platform imports.

How it works

Upload your files

Add a PDF, slides, DOCX, notes or a photo of a page. Text in images is read with text recognition.

Choose question types

Pick multiple choice, true/false or short answer questions, then set how many you want.

Review and export

Edit any question, then study in the browser or export a file for your course.

Canvas handles file submissions differently from typed quiz answers. Uploaded files usually need manual grading with a rubric, so keep questions focused and set clear expectations for the file type and size. Review every generated question before it reaches students.

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Frequently asked questions

What kinds of file answers should I ask students to upload?

Use file uploads for work that cannot be typed well, such as diagrams, scanned handwritten calculations, code files or design work. For facts and short answers, a typed response is easier to grade.

How should I grade uploaded quiz answers?

Write a rubric with a few criteria and point values, such as correct result, method shown and clarity. Grade every submission against the same rubric so scores stay consistent.

Can DeckOwl make quizzes from my notes without a file?

Yes, you can paste plain text or notes directly. Photos of pages are also read with text recognition.

Do I need a paid plan to export quizzes?

Yes. The free plan lets you study in the browser without exports. Plus includes PDF and DOCX export, and Pro adds QTI 2.1 and Moodle XML export.

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