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Turn your own lecture notes into a quiz ready for Canvas import

Upload PDFs, slides or notes and get multiple-choice, true/false or open questions with explanations, exported as QTI 2.1 for Canvas on the Pro plan.

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Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

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Getting your own quiz into Canvas

Instructors often look for a canvas quiz import template expecting a fill-in file, but generic templates rarely match your readings or your grading. DeckOwl writes the questions from your own PDF, slides or notes first, so the import file reflects what you actually taught.

Keep answer choices and wording consistent with how your course teaches the material.
Import one quiz per package so any error is easier to trace.
Confirm every true/false item has exactly one correct answer before exporting.
Read each explanation so students see why each answer is right or wrong.

Example Canvas quiz import questions and answers

What format does Canvas use to import quiz content from other tools?QTI 2.1, packaged as a zip file, because Canvas reads the standard manifest and item files during course import.

What must a QTI package contain besides the question files?An imsmanifest.xml file that lists the resources, because the manifest tells the importer how the package is organized.

In QTI, where is the correct answer identified for a multiple-choice item?Inside a correctResponse element in the response declaration, because that is where the scoring rule names the right choice.

Why import one small quiz into a sandbox course before a live course?Because a malformed package can create duplicate or broken quizzes that are tedious to remove from a course students are already using.

What does the explanation field do in a Canvas quiz item?It shows students why the correct answer is right after they respond, which turns a graded quiz into a study review.

Generate the full set

Three question types

Multiple choice, true/false and open questions, each with an explanation students can read after answering.

Reads your own material

Works from PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain notes and photos of pages read with text recognition.

Export options by plan

PDF and DOCX on Plus. QTI 2.1 and Moodle XML on Pro, which is the package format Canvas course import reads.

How it works

Upload your source

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file or photo of your pages.

Review the questions

Check each question, answer choice and explanation against what you taught.

Export and test in Canvas

On Pro, export QTI 2.1, then import the zip into a sandbox course before using it with students.

Canvas expects quiz content in the QTI 2.1 format, packaged as a zip file with a manifest and one XML file per item. QTI export is part of the Pro plan at $14.99 per month. Free accounts can study generated questions in the browser but cannot export.

Before loading questions into a live course, import one small package into a sandbox course and check the question types, correct answers and explanations. Canvas handles some formatting differently across quiz types, so a short test saves cleanup later.

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Frequently asked questions

What format does Canvas need for a quiz import?

Canvas reads QTI 2.1 packages, which are zip files containing an imsmanifest.xml file and item XML files. The manifest tells the importer how the package is organized.

How many questions should one Canvas quiz include?

There is no required number, but 10 to 20 questions is a common size for weekly review. A longer unit can be split into several shorter quizzes that are easier for students to finish.

Can I export QTI for Canvas on the Free plan?

No. The Free plan lets you study in the browser with 3 generations per month and no exports. QTI 2.1 export is included in the Pro plan at $14.99 per month.

Which plan includes PDF and DOCX export?

Plus includes PDF, DOCX, Anki and CSV export along with unlimited generations, at $39 per year or $7.99 per month. Students get 40% off with a school email.

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