# Create questions from Excel

> Write a whole quiz or test in the Excel template and upload it.

Source: https://paatya.net/docs/courses/quiz-excel-import

Instead of typing questions in one at a time, you can write a whole quiz or test in an Excel sheet and upload it. This works for quizzes in courses and for tests in [online tests](https://paatya.net/docs/online-tests/how-online-tests-work).

## Download the template

1. Open the quiz or test.
2. Click **Import from Excel**.
3. Click **Download template**. You get an Excel file with three sheets: **Questions**, **Settings** and **How to fill**.

## Fill in the Questions sheet

One row is one question. Keep the first row (the headings) as it is.

| Column | What to write |
| --- | --- |
| **Category** | Optional, such as Reasoning or English. Fill it in on every row or on none. |
| **Type** | **Single answer** (one right answer), **Multiple answers** (one or more), or **True / False**. |
| **Question** | The question. |
| **Option A** to **Option J** | The answers to choose from, from A onwards with no gaps, at least two. Leave them empty for True / False. |
| **Correct** | The letter of the right answer, such as **B**. For Multiple answers, letters with commas, such as **A,C**. For True / False, write **True** or **False**. |
| **Marks** | What the question is worth, a whole number from 1 to 100. Empty means 1. |
| **Explanation** | Optional. Students see it after they submit, if the quiz shows answers. |
| **Needs image** | **Y** if the question needs a picture, such as a diagram. |

The **Settings** sheet is optional. Fill in a test title, **Negative marking** (such as 0.25) or **Instructions** to change them. Leave a value empty to keep what the quiz already has.

> **Tip:** Write **Single answer** or **Multiple answers**, not "Multiple choice". "Multiple choice" could mean either, so the upload asks you to choose.

## Upload the sheet

1. Click **Import from Excel** again.
2. If the quiz already has questions, choose **Add the file's questions after them** or **Replace them with the file's questions**. You can only replace them before any student has taken the quiz.
3. Click **Choose file** and pick your sheet. A preview lists every row.
4. If the preview is green, click **Import**.

![The preview: eight questions ready to import, each row with its type, category and marks](https://paatya.net/docs/img/courses-quiz-excel-import-1.png)

If any row has a problem, **nothing is saved**. The preview lists each problem with its row number, such as "Row 14: Correct says E, but there are only 4 options". Fix those rows in your sheet and choose the file again.

## Add the pictures

The sheet holds text only. Questions with **Y** under **Needs image** show an orange **Add image** label in the quiz. Open each one, click **Add picture**, and choose a JPG or PNG up to 2 MB. The label goes once the picture is added.

## Related

- [Add a quiz](https://paatya.net/docs/courses/add-a-quiz)
- [Create an online test](https://paatya.net/docs/online-tests/create-an-online-test)