Questions
- How do I export grades from the Canvas Gradebook?
- How do I download a CSV of my course grades in Canvas?
- Where is the export button in the Canvas Gradebook?
- How do I export grades for a specific grading period in Canvas?
- Can I re-download a previous gradebook export in Canvas?
- What are the read-only columns in a Canvas Gradebook CSV export?
- How do I get my Canvas grades into a spreadsheet?
- What does the Gradebook CSV file include?
- Why does my Canvas grade export include columns I cannot edit?
Environment
This article applies to:
- Who: Faculty and instructors with access to a Canvas course gradebook
- Platform: Canvas LMS — any modern web browser at canvas.bowdoin.edu
Resolution
You can export scores from the Gradebook and download them to your computer as a CSV file. The Gradebook CSV assignment columns display in the same order as shown in the Gradebook for an individual user.
Note: Before exporting, keep the following in mind:
- Some columns in the CSV are read-only, calculated by rules or percentages set in Canvas. Changes to these columns will be ignored when you re-upload the file to your course.
- When a grading period filter is applied in the Gradebook, the export displays the filtered grading period results. However, assignment group total columns will display across all grading periods.
- For assignment group columns, changes made to assignment scores will automatically be included in the assignment group calculation in the Gradebook.
- The Total column shows a running total of all graded assignments, including those with hidden grades. The CSV includes read-only columns for current and final scores — current score ignores unsubmitted assignments, while final score counts them as zero. Assignments with hidden scores appear in separate unposted current and final score columns.
- If a student has submitted an assignment multiple times, the CSV only accounts for the most recent submission.
- Concluded and inactive enrollments are not included unless Show Concluded Enrollments or Show Inactive Enrollments is enabled in Gradebook Settings.
- Complete/incomplete assignments are shown as full or no credit (e.g., for a 10-point assignment: 10 or 0).
- If Final Grade Override is enabled in your course, the export will include the override grade. Changes to the Final Grade Override display in the import confirmation page.
- Gradebook export files automatically save to your user files in an Unfiled folder.
- If manual grade posting policies are set for specific assignments, those assignments will display the posting policy in the CSV — but the policy cannot be modified via CSV.
- In the exported gradebook, assignment grades always show as points, regardless of the assignment or gradebook view settings.
Open grades
In Course Navigation, click the Grades link.
Export Scores
Click the Export button [1], then click the Export Current Gradebook View link [2].
If you are using grading periods and want all grading periods included in your CSV file, click the Export Entire Gradebook link [3].
When the export is completed, Canvas downloads the CSV file automatically to your computer.
View Exported Scores
If you navigate away from the page during the export, the CSV file will appear as a previous download in the Export menu so it can be downloaded again. The Gradebook allows you to view a previous export.
If you made changes to the Gradebook after exporting a file and want to export a new file, click the Export link again.
Note:
- Gradebook export files include the date and time of the download to differentiate between multiple exports. The export filename format is
YYYY-MM-DDTHHMM, followed by the course name.
- Gradebook export files automatically save to your user files in an Unfiled folder.
View Read-Only Columns
The CSV download includes read-only columns displaying current and final scores. These columns display for each assignment group in a course and for final course grades.
- Current Points [1]: Reflects points for graded assignments
- Final Points [2]: Reflects points for all assignments
- Current Score [3]: Reflects scores for graded, posted assignments
- Unposted Current Score [4]: Reflects scores for graded assignments and includes hidden assignments
- Final Score [5]: Reflects overall score including unsubmitted assignments as zero but excluding hidden assignments
- Unposted Final Score [6]: Reflects total score, including unsubmitted assignments as zero and hidden assignments
- Current Grade [7]: Reflects course grade based on graded, posted assignments
- Unposted Current Grade [8]: Reflects course grade based on graded assignments, including hidden assignments but excluding unsubmitted assignments
- Final Grade [9]: Reflects overall course grade including unsubmitted assignments as zero but excluding hidden assignments
- Unposted Final Grade [10]: Reflects overall course grade, including unsubmitted assignments as zero and hidden assignments
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
Additional Resources