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Import and Export Groups and Members

You can bulk create groups or add group members in Ultra courses by importing a CSV (comma-separated values) file. This feature also allows you to export groups and members to a CSV file.

Access the Import Group Sets panel from the Groups tab

You can create group sets by importing a CSV file from the Groups tab. When you assign an assessment to a group set, you can import a CSV file. This allows you to assign an existing group set or create a new one while creating an assessment.

In the Groups tab, select Import Group Set to open the side panel that contains the templates to use:

Groups page in a Blackboard Course. Import Group Set is highlighted in blue.

After you select Import Group Set, the Import Group Sets panel opens. From here, you can break your class into smaller student groups.

Import Group Sets from the Import Group Sets panel

In the Import Group Sets panel, select Download Group Sets template to download the CSV template you need to import groups.

Groups page in a Blackboard Course with Import Group Sets panel opened.

The CSV has five columns. Required columns are marked with an asterisk.

CSV file with file columns with information about group sets.
  • Group Code*

    • Group codes are unique alphanumeric identifiers used only for import purposes. Group codes provide a unique way to identify each group in case they have the same name. You can assign any group code you want.

  • Title*

    • The name of the group within the group set.

  • Description

    • An optional field to provide a description of the group.

  • Group Set*

    • Group sets are smaller student groups within the group set.

  • Self Enroll*

    • Enter Y if you want students to be able to self enroll into groups; enter N if you want to assign students to groups yourself.

Fill out the CSV with the group sets you’d like to create. You can now import the group sets by going to the Import Group Sets panel. Either select Upload File and browse for the CSV in your device or select and drag the file into the Upload File rectangle. Select Import at the bottom of the panel.

Importing the groups will take some time. You can refresh your screen to check if the groups have been imported. You’ll also receive a confirmation email when the import is complete.

Access the Import Groups or Members panel from the Group Sets view

Select the group that you would like to import groups or members into on the Groups tab.

Manage Groups page in a Blackboard Course. The name of the group set is highlighted. There are three groups within this set.

You are now in the Group Sets view.

Group Sets view in a Blackboard Course.

Import Group Sets or Members from the Import Groups or Members panel

You can import groups or you can import members from the Import Groups or Members panel. You can download two different templates:

  • A template for creating groups.

  • A template for importing members into groups In both templates, all mandatory cells are marked with an asterisk.

Group creation template

Select the Create groups tab in the Import Groups or Members panel.

Group Sets view in Blackboard course with Import Groups or Members panel opened.

Select Download groups template and download the template. The CSV has five columns.

Required columns are marked with an asterisk.

CSV file with five columns with information about the group set.
  • Group Code*

    • Group codes are unique alphanumeric identifiers used only for import purposes. Group codes provide a unique way to identify each group in case they have the same name. You can assign any group you want.

  • Title*

    • The name of the group within the group set.

  • Description

    • An optional field to provide a description of the group.

  • Group Set*

    • Group sets are smaller student groups within the group set.

  • Self Enroll*

    • Enter Y if you want students to be able to self enroll into groups; enter N if you want to assign students to groups yourself.

Fill out the CSV with the group sets you’d like to create. Go to the Create groups panel. Either select Upload File and browse for the CSV in your device or select and drag the file into the Upload File rectangle. Select Import at the bottom of the panel.

Importing the groups will take some time. You can refresh your screen to check if the groups have been imported. You’ll also receive a confirmation email when the import is complete.

Import members into groups template

Select the Assign members tab in the Import Groups or Members panel.

Group Sets view in Blackboard course with Import Groups or Members panel opened. Assign members tab is opened in Import groups or Members panel.

Select Download members template and download the template.

The CSV has six columns. Required columns are marked with an asterisk.

CSV file with six columns with information about the group set.
  • Group Code*

    • Groups codes are unique alphanumeric identifiers used only for import purposes. Group codes provide a unique way to identify each group in case they have the same name. You can assign any group you want.

  • User Name*

    • The username of the student you’re assigning to a group.

  • Student ID

    • If available, the student ID number.

  • First Name

    • Student’s first name or given name.

  • Last Name

    • Student’s last name or surname.

  • Group Set

    • Group sets are smaller student groups within the group set.

Fill out the CSV with the students you’d like to assign. You must assign all students to groups. Go to the Assign members tab in the Import Groups or Members panel. Either select Upload File and browse for the CSV in your device or select and drag the file into the Upload File rectangle. Select Import at the bottom of the panel.

Importing students will take some time. You can refresh your screen to check if the students have been imported. You’ll also receive a confirmation email when the import is complete.

Export groups

After groups are created, you can export them from the Group Sets page to edit the CSV and import them again later.

Group sets page with Export Groups option highlighted in

You can export groups or members’ CSV files or both files at the same time.

Group sets page with Export Groups panel

Select Export Groups to bring up the Export panel. Under the Create tab, select the boxes to export group sets, members, or both. Select Export File. Your file is now in the queue to export. You’ll receive an email when the export is complete.

When the export’s complete, select Export Groups from the Group Sets page again to bring up the Export panel. Select the Export tab. The exported groups and members will appear as zip files. Select any exported file from the list to download to your device. The CSV files are within the zip file.

Group sets page with Export File panel opened.