Create groups and assign students to them (for large courses)

Updated 19 Feb 2024

You or a section instructor with the Roster privilege can create groups and assign students to groups using a .csv spreadsheet. This "batch" method is best for large classes. For fewer students and groups, see Organize students into groups.

Assign students to groups using a spreadsheet:

Select Roster from the course menu.
Choose Export/Import Roster Details.
This option becomes available after at least one student has joined your course and signed in.
Select Export to export the Roster details as a .csv file to your computer.
Open the .csv file and make changes.
To assign students to existing groups —
Copy and paste group names in the Groups column. To add a student to more than one group, separate the group names with a comma: Lecture A, Lab 1
To create new groups —
Type a new name in the Groups column.
Save the edited .csv file.
Select Export/Import Roster Details again.
Browse to identify the location of the edited .csv file on your computer, and then choose Import.
During the import process, you are asked to confirm the changes that will be made. You can always edit student details from within the course, including after you import a file.