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{{Questions}}
{{Managing questions}}
Moodle has a number of different formats that can be used to import questions into [[Question bank]] categories and as [[Adding a question page|lesson question pages]]. These include some proprietary quiz software formats, as well as text files and Moodle formats.


Moodle provides a number of different formats to import questions into question banks. Some enable imports to be made from proprietary quiz software, others provide questions to be imported from human-readable text files and others provide Moodle specific formats to enable transfer of questions between quiz banks.  
==Importing questions from an existing file==
It is possible to import questions from a file on your network/computer or from a file that has been saved or uploaded into your course files.  The underlying [[Import_questions#Character_encoding|character encoding]] of this file is important.


In the case of the text formats (in particular GIFT), once you get to know a format, it may be easier to simply type the questions into a text file than to use the web interface. You can just keep typing instead of waiting for new web pages to load for each question.
Note: Moodle XML format is the recommended import question type format as it enables the maximum amount of question data (such as question feedback) to be imported.


The available formats vary with the version of Moodle and if it is a quiz or lesson module.
=== Question bank import process ===
The question bank allows you a great deal of flexibility when importing questions. To import questions into Moodle's [[Question bank]], use the Questions link in the course administration and select the import tab. In most versions of Moodle it is also possible to get to this screen (produced by ../question/import.php) while editing an existing quiz.


== Character Encoding ==
[[Image:Questions import 197.png|thumb|center|Import question formats from the import tab]].


Prior to version 1.6 of Moodle the question file was assumed to be encoded in the same way as the language being used within the Moodle site. With Moodle 1.6 and onwards it is assumed that the imported file is encoded in UTF8. If it is not an external tool must be used to change the encoding. Note that if only basic 'latin' characters are used, then the coding issue can generally be ignored.
*Select import tab
*Select the question type to import
*General: pick the category, determine if the context and category information that maybe contained in a GIFT or XML file should be used.
*Select what should happen if there are no grades or an error is detected in the import process.
*Determine the file to import
**Import from file upload.  Use the browse function to import a file from your computer. Use the "Upload this file" button to import the questions.
**Import from file already in course files. A popup window will take you to the course files start page. Use the "Import from this file" button.


== GIFT ==
[[Image:Question bank import file gen import 1.png|thumb|center|General and import file parameters sections]]
With GIFT format you can write multiple-choice, true-false, short answer, matching and numerical questions.
[[Image:Gift.jpg|frame|left|screen shot from quiz help file documentation]]<br style="clear:both;"> Please note that the blank lines between questions are required when loading a text file from Windows. (maybe unix as well)


Here is an [http://moodle.org/file.php/5/moddata/forum/121/236161/GIFT-examples.zip GIFT example] for quiz-import, easy to copy and change ...
===Lesson module process===
The question types that can be imported from the Quiz questions bank into a lesson are the following:
Matching, Multichoice, Numerical, Short answer, True/false.


Hint: use the ::title:: at the beginning of every question to organize this for you (01 - testquestion), otherwise it would be difficult to find the right question for changes, moodle will take the beginning of every question as internal title ...
''Note: Since Moodle 2.8  it is possible to import images in question answers and responses when importing questions, as it is now possible to add images to lesson question answers and responses. See MDL-38540."


For UTF8 be careful: dont upload special signs (german ü,ä,.. and other stuff like that), without converting it on your local pc to utf8! notepad2 [http://www.flos-freeware.ch/notepad2.html notepad2] may be helpful in that case.
The Description and Cloze questions can '''not''' be imported from Quiz questions bank into a lesson
[[Image:Lesson Import question types.png|thumb|center|Lesson screen asking which file type will be imported]]


In the Lesson module, in a question page, correct answers jump by default to Next page and incorrect answers jump to This page (i.e. student has to "try again"). When importing from a GIFT format file, this is exactly the mechanism which is used.
[[Lesson module|Lesson]] can only import from a file located on the teachers computer.
*In edit, using the expanded view
*Select the position where questions should be inserted into the lesson
*Click on the Import question link between the pages.
*Select the file type
*Use the browse function to find the file on your computer
*Import the selected file.


If you want a student to be taken directly from one question to the next irrespective of their answer being correct or incorrect: in the Lesson Settings, set Maximum number of attempts: to 1. Please note, however, that a message "correct / incorrect" will still be displayed to the student upon answering each question. If you do not want this (default) feedback message to be displayed then enter your own feedback message (i.e. "continue", "---", etc.) In case you want no visible message displayed then enter a non-breaking space as feeback, so you'll have to put a # after the answer which may be ~3 and '''write & n b s p ; after that.(without spaces between these characters)'''
==Question import formats==
To find out how moodle works - you may export a sample of your questions with GIFT and check them out!


With GIFT its easy to organize a questions catalogue at your local pc and change and share questions
=== [[GIFT]] ===
Moodle 'proprietary' text format for import and export. Reasonably comprehensive.


== Aiken ==
The [https://moodle.org/plugins/pluginversions.php?plugin=qformat_giftmedia GIFT with medias optional plugin] is an import format similar to Gift and uses the same syntax, but instead of a text file it imports a zip file containing the gift text file and media files (images, sounds, ...).
Aiken format is an easy way of writing multiple-choice questions for import. It’s a very easy, readable format.[[Image:Aiken_format.gif|frame|left|screen shot from quiz help file documentation]]<br style="clear:both;">


== Missing Word ==
=== [[Moodle XML format|Moodle XML]] ===
If you’re going to write a lot of missing word multiple choice questions, the missing word format is an easy way to create them.
Moodle 'proprietary' xml format for import and export. Very comprehensive.
[[Image:Missing_word.jpg|frame|left|screen shot from quiz help file documentation]]<br style="clear:both;">


== AON ==
====How do you create XML files to enable import of images?====
The same as the missing word format, except it creates matching questions from the multiple choice questions.
Discussion: http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=181211
=====OPTION 1=====
Check out http://www.slideshare.net/tjuly/adding-images-to-moodle-quiz-and-import-via-xml


==Blackboard==
This describes a use of a text to XML conversion process using http://vletools.com/questions/quiz
{{Moodle 1.7}}
If you’re converting from Blackboard to Moodle, you can export your course and then import the question pools into Moodle using the Blackboard format.


== WebCT ==
Please add any further comments here:
{{Moodle 1.7}}
Currently, the WebCT format only supports importing multiple-choice and short answers questions


== Course Test Manager ==
=====OPTION 2=====
This will enable you to import questions from the Course Test Manager from Course Technology


== Embedded Answers (Cloze) ==
=== [[Aiken]] ===  
The Cloze format is a multiple question, multiple answer question with embedded answers. They can be a bit tricky to develop, but they are a unique way of asking questions
This format is an easy way of writing multiple-choice questions for import.


== Version 1.7 formats==
=== Blackboard ===  
[[Image:Lesson Import Questions dropdown.JPG|left|thumb|Import Question 1.7 menu]]
It's possible to  import both .dat files containing just questions text or zip archives containing questions and associated medias (images, sounds, ...).
==See also==


*The help file available from the help button next to the import file button gives a lot of detail about each format.
If your questions contains images they are imported too.
*Using Moodle [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=51316 escaping problem in gift import?] forum discussion


[[Category:Teacher]]
Also both Blackboard POOL and QTI files are supported.
[[Category:Question]]
 
[[Category:Quiz]]
Questions produced with TestGen and Examview softwares and saved as Blackboard files are imported.
[[Category:Lesson]]
 
If the zip archives contains several resources files all questions from all files are imported. "Undeployed" Blackboard quiz are also supported.
 
Follow these steps to import questions:
 
1. Create a quiz with questions in Examview Test Generator v. 6.2.1 or another question generator able to save questions as Blackboard files like TestGen.
 
2. Export the quiz to Blackboard 6.0-7.0 format.
 
3. From the ''Settings'' tab for your course choose ''Question bank'' and then ''Import''. Make sure you use the Blackboard format.
 
'''NOTE:''' Some tutorials on the web explain that you need to edit files to re-link images. '''This is no more needed'''. Images are imported without any editing.
 
==== Importing questions in different categories ====
 
If you check the "Get category from file" option during import,  the category name for each resource file will be extracted for the resource file and created if necessary.
 
If "Get category from file" is unchecked, all questions will be imported in the current category.
 
==== Other alternative method to import Blackboard questions files ====
There is an alternative to the Blackboard format to import questions saved as Blackboard files.
[https://m.app.box.com/view_shared/a9c6nd920sq0aa2ba2ul MoodleXMLBuilder]. discussed below in [https://docs.moodle.org/23/en/Import_questions#See_also See Also] can also be used to convert ExamView exports to Moodle XML.
Images are supported and included within the Moodle XML when using [https://m.app.box.com/view_shared/a9c6nd920sq0aa2ba2ul MoodleXMLBuilder]..
 
If you decide to use MoodleXMLBuilder to convert your Blackboard zip file to a Moodle XML file, rather than use the recommended method to directly import your zip file using the Blackboard format (see above), here is how to do it:
 
1. Create a quiz with questions in Examview Test Generator v. 6.2.1 or another question generator able to save questions as Blackboard files like TestGen.
 
2. Export the quiz to Blackboard 6.0-7.0 format
 
3. Use the aforementioned [https://m.app.box.com/view_shared/a9c6nd920sq0aa2ba2ul MoodleXMLBuilder] to convert from '''ExamView Export to Blackboard 6.0-7.0''' into the XML format that Moodle accepts.
 
4. From the ''Settings'' tab for your course choose ''Question bank'' and then ''Import''. Make sure you use the Moodle XML format. You may also need to set ''Stop on error'' to ''No''.
 
FYI To install MoodleXMLBuilder you may need to be logged into an administrator account or select "Run as administrator" from the right-click menu. You'll also need java and you will need to run the MoodleXMLBuilder.exe application from its install directory (the installer doesn't seem to create a Start menu entry). For Windows 7 it was C:\Program Files (x86)\MoodleXMLBuilder\MoodleXMLBuilder.exe.
 
=== Course Test Manager ===
This format enables you to import questions from the Course Test Manager from Course Technology.
 
=== [[Embedded Answers (Cloze) question type|Embedded Answers (Cloze)]] ===
This format is a multiple question, multiple answer question with embedded answers. They can be a bit tricky to develop, but they are a unique way of asking questions.
 
=== Examview ===
ExamView 4 supported an XML export format that Moodle can import.
 
Follow these steps to import questions from ExamView 4.0.8
 
1. Create a new test using ExamView
 
2. After selecting the types of questions and how many of each Click on File - Export – Change Save As Type to ExamView XML
 
3. After creating the export of your ExamView test login to your Moodle site
 
4. Go to the course you wish to add the quiz to and Turn Editing On
 
5. Scroll down to the topic or week you wish to add a Quiz Click add an activity – highlight quiz, Enter a name and introduction for the quiz and any other applicable information.
 
6. Click save and display
 
7. Editing quiz - click Edit then Import, click the radio button next to ExamView
 
8. Browse to the location you saved the file highlight and click open, then click the upload this file button.
 
9. Review the questions imported, click continue, click on Quiz, select all and click add to quiz
 
10. Save Changes, click on the preview tab view the test and the quiz is ready.
 
If you are using a newer version of ExamView, you should export your questions from Examview choosing the Blackboard format:
 
1. In ExamView choose one of the two Blackboard export options, either Blackboard option can be imported into Moodle, however it is recommended to choose the Blackboard 7.1+ option
 
2. Save the zip archive ExamView creates
 
3. Import this zip file in Moodle using "Blackboard V6+" format. see the above paragraph about the Blackboard V6+ import format for more informations.
 
===[[Hot Potatoes]]===
A freeware program that can export questions into Moodle. In order to import Hot Potatoes questions into a Moodle quiz, the administrator must first install the [https://moodle.org/plugins/view.php?plugin=mod_hotpot Hotpot module] and the [https://moodle.org/plugins/view.php?plugin=qformat_hotpot Hotpot question import]
 
----
 
'''Note 1'''.- All types of Hot Potatoes question types can be imported into Moodle, but ''JCross'' and ''JMix'' questions will be changed to Short Answer questions.
 
*Can be imported into the ''Quiz questions'' bank:
**Cloze questions (''JCloze'');
**Match questions (''JMatch'');
**Multiple Choice questions (''JQuiz'')
**Short Answer questions (''JQuiz'', ''JCross'' and ''JMix'')
 
*Can be imported into Moodle's ''Lesson'' module:
**Match questions (''JMatch'');
**Multiple Choice questions (''JQuiz'')
 
'''Note 2'''.- For Hot Potatoes' Multiple Choice question type (''JQuiz''), the ''Multiple-choice'' ''Short answer'' and ''Multi-select'' question-type will imported as they are. ''Hybrid'' questions will be imported as ''MultiChoice'' questions, i.e. they will not start as Short Answer questions and then change to Multiple Choice questions after several wrong responses.
 
===[[Missing word question format|Missing word]]===
This format is only used for  multiple choice questions and short answer questions, similar to GIFT.
 
=== [[WebCT format]] ===
 
The WebCT  format is able to import a number of WebCT question types: shortanswer, multichoice single answer and multichoice multiple answers, calculated and essays (that WebCT calls "paragraph" questions.) It can also import webCT zip files containing questions and images embedded in questions.
 
'''Caution:''' Keep in mind that WebCT allows more than one "blank" per short answer question, whereas, Moodle will only accommodate one blank per question. Questions that used multiple short answers in a question will not convert successfully.
 
Here are some examples of Multiple Choice and Short answer questions in a text file:
 
<pre>
# Start of question: Short Answer Question
:TYPE:S:
:TITLE:Short Answer Question
:QUESTION:H
What is the name of the WebCT Learning Hub?
<br />
:IMAGE:dotcomLogoc.gif
:ANSWERS:1
:CASE:0
:ANSWER1:WebCT.com:100:0:20:0
:FEEDBACK1:H
Be sure to visit the Learning Hub\: www.WebCT.com
:CAT:Default
# End of question: Short Answer Question
 
 
 
# Start of question: Multiple Choice Question
:TYPE:MC:1:0:C
:TITLE:Multiple Choice Question
:FEEDBACK
Darwin invented the theory of evolution and created Darwinism.
:QUESTION:H
Where is the Darwin Research Center?
:IMAGE:
:LAYOUT:vertical
:ANSWER1:0:H
Menlo Park, California
:REASON1:H
Sorry!
:ANSWER2:0:H
Vancouver, Canada
:REASON2:H
Sorry!
:ANSWER3:100:H
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
:REASON3:H
Correct Answer!
:ANSWER4:0:H
London, England
:REASON4:H
Sorry!
:ANSWER5:0:H
Sidney, Australia
:REASON5:H
Sorry!
:CAT:Default
# End of question: Multiple Choice Question
 
</pre>
 
=== [[Word table format]] ===
This format supports importing all question types (except calculated) from structured tables in Microsoft Word files.
Creating, editing and managing large numbers of questions is much easier in an external Word file than maintaining them one at a time inside Moodle.
 
The contributed plugin is not a standand part of Moodle, but is available in the Moodle Plugins Directory at [http://moodle.org/plugins/view.php?plugin=qformat_wordtable  Moodle2Word Word table import/export].
 
==Importing from other programs==
=== Diploma 6 ===
Diploma 6 also supports an XML export format that Moodle can import. If you are using a newer version of Diploma, here are the steps to export from Diploma and import to Moodle.  The steps are the same as those for Blackboard(see above).
*Export from Diploma with the Blackboard LS 6.0 – 6.2 format.
*Import the .zip file using the Blackboard format.  The images are imported at the same time.
 
===Old formats===
*AON -This format is the same as the missing word format, except it creates matching questions from the multiple choice questions. Please note that from Moodle 1.8 it will no longer be part of the standard Moodle.
 
== Character encoding ==
 
It is important that the imported file is encoded in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTF-8 UTF-8] standard.
 
If this is not adhered to you may get import errors and/or strange characters in the imported materials. If the file is not UTF-8, an external tool must be used to change the encoding. Note that if only basic 'latin' characters are used, then the coding issue can generally be ignored. Be particularly careful when creating questions using Microsoft Word. For reasons best known to themselves, Microsoft used their own encoding for some characters (incompatible with UTF-8) and this is likely to break the import.
 
:''Note:''If you are having problems with the first question (or category modifier) in the file being misinterpreted (this particularly applies to GIFT format) it might be your editor adding a "Byte-Order-Mark" character at the beginning of the file. This is particularly common in Windows programs (e.g. Notepad) and is another good reason to steer clear of Microsoft products for text editing (as apposed to word processing). There are plenty of free or low cost text editors available for download. The BOM is neither recommended or required as UTF8 does not have [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byte-order_mark byte order issues].
 
==Match grades==
 
Imported grades must '''exactly''' match one of the fixed list of valid grades, as follows:
 
100, 90, 80, 75, 70, 66.666, 60, 50, 40, 33.333, 30, 25, 20, 16.666, 14.2857, 12.5, 11.111, 10, 5, 0
 
negative values of the above list are also permitted.
 
There are two settings for this switch. They affect how the import routine treats values that do not exactly match one of the values in the above list
 
* Error if grade not listed - If a question contains any grades not found in the list an error is displayed and that question will not be imported.
* Nearest grade if not listed - If a grade is found that does not match a value in the list, the grade is changed to the closest matching value in the list
 
Note: some custom import formats write directly to the database and may bypass this check.
 
==Importing questions from Moodle.net==
* Visit [https://moodle.net/mod/data/view.php?d=1&mode=list&perpage=10&search=&sort=0&order=DESC&advanced=0&filter=1&advanced=1&f_2=Quiz+questions&f_11=&f_13=&f_12=&f_9=&f_8= Moodle.net] to import questions from other Moodler's courses (computing, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, grammar...).
==Tips and tricks==
 
*''TIP:'' It may be easier and faster to type many questions into a '''single text file''', than to create a series of Quiz or Lesson question pages.  Some teachers report that once they master creating questions in one of the formats to import, they do not have to wait for their Moodle site screen to refresh and the process of selecting the next question type to create. 
*''TIP:'' Want to use questions from your quiz in a '''Lesson'''?  Export the question category in say a GIFT format, then use a text editor to delete questions, or perhaps use a search and replace function to change names or places.
 
== See also ==
* [http://vletools.com Moodle XML Converter] Convert your questions online into Moodle XML format. Allows to create questions from existing textfiles that should to be preformatted in a simple way. Supports TeX formulas, HTML and image embedded questions. Also can generate *.txt file from Moodle XML in case you need to export your questions in textfile. 
* [https://m.app.box.com/view_shared/a9c6nd920sq0aa2ba2ul MoodleXMLBuilder] converts commonly-used test generator output into Moodle XML. MoodleXMLBuilder currently supports converting tests and question banks created in Blackboard, ExamView, TestGen, and EZTest. Images are fully supported within all question fields where images are allowed within the Moodle quiz module.
* The help button link next to the import file button gives a lot of detail about each format in a popup window.
* Using Moodle [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=51316 escaping problem in gift import?] forum discussion
* [[Converting files to UTF-8]]
* [[Import and export FAQ]]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/user.php?id=726938&course=5 Eoin Campbell is working on a XSLT based import/export module for Word] - stay tuned!
* [http://www.moodle2word.net website for converting Moodle Questions into tables in a Microsoft Word file, and vice versa].
* Using Moodle [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=202101 GIFT import - default grade] forum discussion
* [https://sites.google.com/site/cq4mgenerator/home Calculated Question for Moodle Generator] website that describes the use of a spreadsheet to generate Calculated Questions using all mathematical functions, a tool that empowers teachers to quickly design large question banks with calculated questions.
 
[[Category:Questions]]
 
[[de:Fragen importieren]]
[[es:Importar preguntas]]
[[eu:Galderak_inportatu]]
[[fr:Importer des questions]]
[[ja:問題のインポート]]

Latest revision as of 18:04, 25 March 2016

Moodle has a number of different formats that can be used to import questions into Question bank categories and as lesson question pages. These include some proprietary quiz software formats, as well as text files and Moodle formats.

Importing questions from an existing file

It is possible to import questions from a file on your network/computer or from a file that has been saved or uploaded into your course files. The underlying character encoding of this file is important.

Note: Moodle XML format is the recommended import question type format as it enables the maximum amount of question data (such as question feedback) to be imported.

Question bank import process

The question bank allows you a great deal of flexibility when importing questions. To import questions into Moodle's Question bank, use the Questions link in the course administration and select the import tab. In most versions of Moodle it is also possible to get to this screen (produced by ../question/import.php) while editing an existing quiz.

Import question formats from the import tab

.

  • Select import tab
  • Select the question type to import
  • General: pick the category, determine if the context and category information that maybe contained in a GIFT or XML file should be used.
  • Select what should happen if there are no grades or an error is detected in the import process.
  • Determine the file to import
    • Import from file upload. Use the browse function to import a file from your computer. Use the "Upload this file" button to import the questions.
    • Import from file already in course files. A popup window will take you to the course files start page. Use the "Import from this file" button.
General and import file parameters sections

Lesson module process

The question types that can be imported from the Quiz questions bank into a lesson are the following: Matching, Multichoice, Numerical, Short answer, True/false.

Note: Since Moodle 2.8 it is possible to import images in question answers and responses when importing questions, as it is now possible to add images to lesson question answers and responses. See MDL-38540."

The Description and Cloze questions can not be imported from Quiz questions bank into a lesson

Lesson screen asking which file type will be imported

Lesson can only import from a file located on the teachers computer.

  • In edit, using the expanded view
  • Select the position where questions should be inserted into the lesson
  • Click on the Import question link between the pages.
  • Select the file type
  • Use the browse function to find the file on your computer
  • Import the selected file.

Question import formats

GIFT

Moodle 'proprietary' text format for import and export. Reasonably comprehensive.

The GIFT with medias optional plugin is an import format similar to Gift and uses the same syntax, but instead of a text file it imports a zip file containing the gift text file and media files (images, sounds, ...).

Moodle XML

Moodle 'proprietary' xml format for import and export. Very comprehensive.

How do you create XML files to enable import of images?

Discussion: http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=181211

OPTION 1

Check out http://www.slideshare.net/tjuly/adding-images-to-moodle-quiz-and-import-via-xml

This describes a use of a text to XML conversion process using http://vletools.com/questions/quiz

Please add any further comments here:

OPTION 2

Aiken

This format is an easy way of writing multiple-choice questions for import.

Blackboard

It's possible to import both .dat files containing just questions text or zip archives containing questions and associated medias (images, sounds, ...).

If your questions contains images they are imported too.

Also both Blackboard POOL and QTI files are supported.

Questions produced with TestGen and Examview softwares and saved as Blackboard files are imported.

If the zip archives contains several resources files all questions from all files are imported. "Undeployed" Blackboard quiz are also supported.

Follow these steps to import questions:

1. Create a quiz with questions in Examview Test Generator v. 6.2.1 or another question generator able to save questions as Blackboard files like TestGen.

2. Export the quiz to Blackboard 6.0-7.0 format.

3. From the Settings tab for your course choose Question bank and then Import. Make sure you use the Blackboard format.

NOTE: Some tutorials on the web explain that you need to edit files to re-link images. This is no more needed. Images are imported without any editing.

Importing questions in different categories

If you check the "Get category from file" option during import, the category name for each resource file will be extracted for the resource file and created if necessary.

If "Get category from file" is unchecked, all questions will be imported in the current category.

Other alternative method to import Blackboard questions files

There is an alternative to the Blackboard format to import questions saved as Blackboard files. MoodleXMLBuilder. discussed below in See Also can also be used to convert ExamView exports to Moodle XML. Images are supported and included within the Moodle XML when using MoodleXMLBuilder..

If you decide to use MoodleXMLBuilder to convert your Blackboard zip file to a Moodle XML file, rather than use the recommended method to directly import your zip file using the Blackboard format (see above), here is how to do it:

1. Create a quiz with questions in Examview Test Generator v. 6.2.1 or another question generator able to save questions as Blackboard files like TestGen.

2. Export the quiz to Blackboard 6.0-7.0 format

3. Use the aforementioned MoodleXMLBuilder to convert from ExamView Export to Blackboard 6.0-7.0 into the XML format that Moodle accepts.

4. From the Settings tab for your course choose Question bank and then Import. Make sure you use the Moodle XML format. You may also need to set Stop on error to No.

FYI To install MoodleXMLBuilder you may need to be logged into an administrator account or select "Run as administrator" from the right-click menu. You'll also need java and you will need to run the MoodleXMLBuilder.exe application from its install directory (the installer doesn't seem to create a Start menu entry). For Windows 7 it was C:\Program Files (x86)\MoodleXMLBuilder\MoodleXMLBuilder.exe.

Course Test Manager

This format enables you to import questions from the Course Test Manager from Course Technology.

Embedded Answers (Cloze)

This format is a multiple question, multiple answer question with embedded answers. They can be a bit tricky to develop, but they are a unique way of asking questions.

Examview

ExamView 4 supported an XML export format that Moodle can import.

Follow these steps to import questions from ExamView 4.0.8

1. Create a new test using ExamView

2. After selecting the types of questions and how many of each Click on File - Export – Change Save As Type to ExamView XML

3. After creating the export of your ExamView test login to your Moodle site

4. Go to the course you wish to add the quiz to and Turn Editing On

5. Scroll down to the topic or week you wish to add a Quiz Click add an activity – highlight quiz, Enter a name and introduction for the quiz and any other applicable information.

6. Click save and display

7. Editing quiz - click Edit then Import, click the radio button next to ExamView

8. Browse to the location you saved the file highlight and click open, then click the upload this file button.

9. Review the questions imported, click continue, click on Quiz, select all and click add to quiz

10. Save Changes, click on the preview tab view the test and the quiz is ready.

If you are using a newer version of ExamView, you should export your questions from Examview choosing the Blackboard format:

1. In ExamView choose one of the two Blackboard export options, either Blackboard option can be imported into Moodle, however it is recommended to choose the Blackboard 7.1+ option

2. Save the zip archive ExamView creates

3. Import this zip file in Moodle using "Blackboard V6+" format. see the above paragraph about the Blackboard V6+ import format for more informations.

Hot Potatoes

A freeware program that can export questions into Moodle. In order to import Hot Potatoes questions into a Moodle quiz, the administrator must first install the Hotpot module and the Hotpot question import


Note 1.- All types of Hot Potatoes question types can be imported into Moodle, but JCross and JMix questions will be changed to Short Answer questions.

  • Can be imported into the Quiz questions bank:
    • Cloze questions (JCloze);
    • Match questions (JMatch);
    • Multiple Choice questions (JQuiz)
    • Short Answer questions (JQuiz, JCross and JMix)
  • Can be imported into Moodle's Lesson module:
    • Match questions (JMatch);
    • Multiple Choice questions (JQuiz)

Note 2.- For Hot Potatoes' Multiple Choice question type (JQuiz), the Multiple-choice Short answer and Multi-select question-type will imported as they are. Hybrid questions will be imported as MultiChoice questions, i.e. they will not start as Short Answer questions and then change to Multiple Choice questions after several wrong responses.

Missing word

This format is only used for multiple choice questions and short answer questions, similar to GIFT.

WebCT format

The WebCT format is able to import a number of WebCT question types: shortanswer, multichoice single answer and multichoice multiple answers, calculated and essays (that WebCT calls "paragraph" questions.) It can also import webCT zip files containing questions and images embedded in questions.

Caution: Keep in mind that WebCT allows more than one "blank" per short answer question, whereas, Moodle will only accommodate one blank per question. Questions that used multiple short answers in a question will not convert successfully.

Here are some examples of Multiple Choice and Short answer questions in a text file:

# Start of question: Short Answer Question
:TYPE:S:
:TITLE:Short Answer Question
:QUESTION:H
What is the name of the WebCT Learning Hub?
<br />
:IMAGE:dotcomLogoc.gif
:ANSWERS:1
:CASE:0
:ANSWER1:WebCT.com:100:0:20:0
:FEEDBACK1:H
Be sure to visit the Learning Hub\: www.WebCT.com
:CAT:Default
# End of question: Short Answer Question



# Start of question: Multiple Choice Question
:TYPE:MC:1:0:C
:TITLE:Multiple Choice Question
:FEEDBACK
Darwin invented the theory of evolution and created Darwinism.
:QUESTION:H
Where is the Darwin Research Center?
:IMAGE:
:LAYOUT:vertical
:ANSWER1:0:H
Menlo Park, California
:REASON1:H
Sorry!
:ANSWER2:0:H
Vancouver, Canada
:REASON2:H
Sorry!
:ANSWER3:100:H
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
:REASON3:H
Correct Answer!
:ANSWER4:0:H
London, England
:REASON4:H
Sorry!
:ANSWER5:0:H
Sidney, Australia
:REASON5:H
Sorry!
:CAT:Default
# End of question: Multiple Choice Question

Word table format

This format supports importing all question types (except calculated) from structured tables in Microsoft Word files. Creating, editing and managing large numbers of questions is much easier in an external Word file than maintaining them one at a time inside Moodle.

The contributed plugin is not a standand part of Moodle, but is available in the Moodle Plugins Directory at Moodle2Word Word table import/export.

Importing from other programs

Diploma 6

Diploma 6 also supports an XML export format that Moodle can import. If you are using a newer version of Diploma, here are the steps to export from Diploma and import to Moodle. The steps are the same as those for Blackboard(see above).

  • Export from Diploma with the Blackboard LS 6.0 – 6.2 format.
  • Import the .zip file using the Blackboard format. The images are imported at the same time.

Old formats

  • AON -This format is the same as the missing word format, except it creates matching questions from the multiple choice questions. Please note that from Moodle 1.8 it will no longer be part of the standard Moodle.

Character encoding

It is important that the imported file is encoded in the UTF-8 standard.

If this is not adhered to you may get import errors and/or strange characters in the imported materials. If the file is not UTF-8, an external tool must be used to change the encoding. Note that if only basic 'latin' characters are used, then the coding issue can generally be ignored. Be particularly careful when creating questions using Microsoft Word. For reasons best known to themselves, Microsoft used their own encoding for some characters (incompatible with UTF-8) and this is likely to break the import.

Note:If you are having problems with the first question (or category modifier) in the file being misinterpreted (this particularly applies to GIFT format) it might be your editor adding a "Byte-Order-Mark" character at the beginning of the file. This is particularly common in Windows programs (e.g. Notepad) and is another good reason to steer clear of Microsoft products for text editing (as apposed to word processing). There are plenty of free or low cost text editors available for download. The BOM is neither recommended or required as UTF8 does not have byte order issues.

Match grades

Imported grades must exactly match one of the fixed list of valid grades, as follows:

100, 90, 80, 75, 70, 66.666, 60, 50, 40, 33.333, 30, 25, 20, 16.666, 14.2857, 12.5, 11.111, 10, 5, 0

negative values of the above list are also permitted.

There are two settings for this switch. They affect how the import routine treats values that do not exactly match one of the values in the above list

  • Error if grade not listed - If a question contains any grades not found in the list an error is displayed and that question will not be imported.
  • Nearest grade if not listed - If a grade is found that does not match a value in the list, the grade is changed to the closest matching value in the list

Note: some custom import formats write directly to the database and may bypass this check.

Importing questions from Moodle.net

  • Visit Moodle.net to import questions from other Moodler's courses (computing, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, grammar...).

Tips and tricks

  • TIP: It may be easier and faster to type many questions into a single text file, than to create a series of Quiz or Lesson question pages. Some teachers report that once they master creating questions in one of the formats to import, they do not have to wait for their Moodle site screen to refresh and the process of selecting the next question type to create.
  • TIP: Want to use questions from your quiz in a Lesson? Export the question category in say a GIFT format, then use a text editor to delete questions, or perhaps use a search and replace function to change names or places.

See also