EchoExam: Importing RTF Files Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Support

What types of content can I import with an RTF file?

EchoExam supports importing all text-based questions, narratives, and case studies using RTF (Rich Text Format) files.

Hotspot questions are not currently supported with imports and must be created directly in EchoExam.

How do I format narratives and case studies with an RTF file for import?

Your organization may use either narratives or case studies, depending on its configuration. If you aren't sure which is enabled, look for either Narratives or Case Studies in the left-side panel of the My Library tab in EchoExam.

Click on Narrative or Case Study below to view its detailed format.

In each template, curly brackets are used to represent the definition for each field. To create an item, replace the {...} portion with the appropriate content.

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Narrative
NAME: {this is the narrative name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {this is the main body of the narrative that will show to learners}
END

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Case Study
NAME: {this is the case study name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {this is the main body of the case study that will show to learners before the tabbed content}
TAB1: {name of the first tab}
TAB1TEXT: {text content on the first tab}
TAB2: {name of the second tab}
TAB2TEXT: {text content on the second tab}
TAB3: {name of the third tab}
TAB3TEXT: {text content on the third tab}
TAB4: {name of the fourth tab}
TAB4TEXT: {text content on the fourth tab}
END

How do I format questions with an RTF file for import?

Each question in EchoExam uses slightly different fields, so the format will depend on what type of question you would like to import. Click on any question type below to see its detailed format.

In each question template, curly brackets are used to represent the definition for each field. To create a question, replace the {...} portion with the appropriate content.

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Bimodal
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
CHOICES:
a. {first answer option text}
b. {second answer option text}
c. {third answer option text}
d. {fourth answer option text}
ANS: {lowercase letter of the correct multiple choice answer option}
ANS: {keywords for the correct short answer entry, multiple keywords separated by " | "}
EQUATION: {optional field, only required if the correct answer is an equation, LaTeX string with "$$" on either side}
END

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Bowtie
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
PAR:
a. {first answer option text for parameters to monitor}
b. {second answer option text for parameters to monitor}
c. {third answer option text for parameters to monitor}
d. {fourth answer option text for parameters to monitor}
e. {fifth answer option text for parameters to monitor}
CON:
a. {first answer option text for condition most likely experiencing}
b. {second answer option text for condition most likely experiencing}
c. {third answer option text for condition most likely experiencing}
d. {fourth answer option text for condition most likely experiencing}
ACT:
a. {first answer option text for actions to take}
b. {second answer option text for actions to take}
c. {third answer option text for actions to take}
d. {fourth answer option text for actions to take}
e. {fifth answer option text for actions to take}
ANS: {lowercase letters corresponding to the correct answer options, in order; two PAR options, one CON option, and two ACT options, separated by " | "}
END

A maximum of four columns (main heading and three additional) and ten rows can be used with this question type.

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Choice Matrix
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
MAINHEAD: {column 1 table heading, 100 characters or less}
HEAD:
a. {column 2 table heading, 100 characters or less}
b. {column 3 table heading, 100 characters or less}
c. {column 4 table heading, 100 characters or less}
CAT:
1. {row 2 label, 250 characters or less} | {lowercase letter of the correct column selection for this row}
2. {row 3 label, 250 characters or less} | {lowercase letter of the correct column selection for this row}
3. {row 4 label, 250 characters or less} | {lowercase letter of the correct column selection for this row}
4. {row 5 label, 250 characters or less} | {lowercase letter of the correct column selection for this row}
END

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Drag and Drop
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text, using _____ to represent each blank}
CHOICES:
a. {first answer option text}
b. {second answer option text}
c. {third answer option text}
ANS: {lowercase letter of the correct choice for each blank, in the order that they appear, separated by " | "}
END

A maximum of six columns (main heading and five additional) and ten rows can be used with this question type.

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Drop Down Table
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
MAINHEAD: {column 1 table heading, 100 characters or less}
HEAD:
a. {column 2 table heading, 100 characters or less}
b. {column 3 table heading, 100 characters or less}
CAT:
1. {row 2 label, 250 characters or less}
2. {row 3 label, 250 characters or less}
BLANK1:
a. {first answer option text for blank 1}
b. {second answer option text for blank 1}
c. {third answer option text for blank 1}
d. {fourth answer option text for blank 1}
BLANK2:
a. {first answer option text for blank 2}
b. {second answer option text for blank 2}
c. {third answer option text for blank 2}
d. {fourth answer option text for blank 2}
BLANK3:
a. {first answer option text for blank 3}
b. {second answer option text for blank 3}
c. {third answer option text for blank 3}
d. {fourth answer option text for blank 3}
BLANK4:
a. {first answer option text for blank 4}
b. {second answer option text for blank 4}
c. {third answer option text for blank 4}
d. {fourth answer option text for blank 4}
ANS: {lowercase letter of the correct choice for each blank, in order, separated by " | "}
END

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Essay
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
ANS: {keywords for the correct answer entry, multiple keywords separated by " | "}
EQUATION: {optional field, only required if the correct answer is an equation, LaTeX string with "$$" on either side}
END

The formatting for fill in the blank questions depends on what mode the question should be imported with. Three question modes are supported:

Text Entry Mode: learners must type in the correct keyword for each blank
Drop Down Mode (Same Options): learners must select the correct answer for each blank from a drop down menu, and the same drop down options are shown for each blank
Drop Down Mode (Unique Options): learners must select the correct answer for each blank from a drop down menu, each blank has its own set of drop down options

Text Entry Mode

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Fill in the Blank
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text, using _____ to represent each blank}
ANS: {correct answer for each blank, in the order that they appear, separated by " | "}
MODE: Text
END

Drop Down Mode (Same Options)

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Fill in the Blank
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text, using _____ to represent each blank}
CHOICES:
a. {first answer option text}
b. {second answer option text}
c. {third answer option text}
ANS: {lowercase letter of the correct choice for each blank, in the order that they appear, separated by " | "}
MODE: Drop Down
END

Drop Down Mode (Unique Options)

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Fill in the Blank
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text, using _____ to represent each blank}
BLANK1:
a. {first answer option text for blank 1}
b. {second answer option text for blank 1}
c. {third answer option text for blank 1}
BLANK2:
a. {first answer option text for blank 2}
b. {second answer option text for blank 2}
c. {third answer option text for blank 2}
ANS: {lowercase letter of the correct choice for each blank, in the order that they appear, separated by " | "}
MODE: Unique Drop Down
END

Highlight questions must be linked to a case study. The linked case study fields are included in the template below.

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Highlight
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
CAS: {exact text in the "NAME" field for the case study that should be linked to this question; must be in the same file}
TABS: {number corresponding to each case study tab that should display with this question, separated by " | "}
CASTAB: {number corresponding to the tab that will be used for this question content}
CHOICES:
a. {first answer option text - must be a portion of text from the linked case study tab}
b. {second answer option text - must be a portion of text from the linked case study tab}
c. {third answer option text - must be a portion of text from the linked case study tab}
d. {fourth answer option text - must be a portion of text from the linked case study tab}
ANS: {lowercase letters of the correct answer options, separated by " | "}
END

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Matching
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
CHOICES:
CHOICE-A: {first answer option text}
CHOICE-B: {second answer option text}
CHOICE-C: {third answer option text}
CHOICE-D: {fourth answer option text}
OPTIONS:
1. {item 1 text} | {lowercase letter corresponding to the correct answer choice for this item}
2. {item 2 text} | {lowercase letter corresponding to the correct answer choice for this item}
3. {item 3 text} | {lowercase letter corresponding to the correct answer choice for this item}
4. {item 4 text} | {lowercase letter corresponding to the correct answer choice for this item}
MODE: {Multiple Choice or Drop Down}
END

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Modified True / False
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
ANS: {either T or F, indicating the correct answer}
ANS: {only required when false; keywords for the correct answer entry, multiple keywords separated by " | "}
END

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Multiple Choice
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
CHOICES:
a. {first answer option text}
b. {second answer option text}
c. {third answer option text}
d. {fourth answer option text}
ANS: {lowercase letter of the correct answer option}
END

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Multiple Select
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
CHOICES:
a. {first answer option text}
b. {second answer option text}
c. {third answer option text}
d. {fourth answer option text}
ANS: {lowercase letters of the correct answer options, separated by " | "}
END

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Numeric Response
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
ANS: {correct answer, numbers only; "##" for a specific number, or "## to ##" for a range of acceptable answers}
EQUATION: {optional field, only required if the correct answer is an equation, LaTeX string with "$$" on either side}
END

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Ordered Response
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
CHOICES:
a. {first ordered option text, in the correct position}
b. {second ordered option text, in the correct position}
c. {third ordered option text, in the correct position}
d. {fourth ordered option text, in the correct position}
END

A maximum of six rows can be used with this question type. Two columns are required.

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Select Group
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
MAINHEAD: {column 1 table heading, 100 characters or less}
HEAD:
a. {column 1 table heading, same text as MAINHEAD}
b. {column 2 table heading, 100 characters or less}
CAT:
1. {row 1 label, 250 characters or less}
2. {row 2 label, 250 characters or less}
3. {row 3 label, 250 characters or less}
GROUP1:
a. {first answer option text for row 1}
b. {second answer option text for row 1}
c. {third answer option text for row 1}
d. {fourth answer option text for row 1}
GROUP2:
a. {first answer option text for row 2}
b. {second answer option text for row 2}
c. {third answer option text for row 2}
d. {fourth answer option text for row 2}
GROUP3:
a. {first answer option text for row 3}
b. {second answer option text for row 3}
c. {third answer option text for row 3}
d. {fourth answer option text for row 3}
GROUPS:
1. {lowercase letters of the correct answer options for this group, separated by commas}
2. {lowercase letters of the correct answer options for this group, separated by commas}
3. {lowercase letters of the correct answer options for this group, separated by commas}
END

A maximum of ten columns (main heading and nine additional) and seven rows can be used with this question type.

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Select Matrix
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
MAINHEAD: {column 1 table heading, 100 characters or less}
HEAD:
a. {column 2 table heading, 100 characters or less}
b. {column 3 table heading, 100 characters or less}
c. {column 4 table heading, 100 characters or less}
CAT:
1. {row 2 label, 250 characters or less} | {lowercase letters of the correct column selections for this row, may be blank}
2. {row 3 label, 250 characters or less} | {lowercase letters of the correct column selections for this row, may be blank}
3. {row 4 label, 250 characters or less} | {lowercase letters of the correct column selections for this row, may be blank}
4. {row 5 label, 250 characters or less} | {lowercase letters of the correct column selections for this row, may be blank}
END

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: Short Answer
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
ANS: {keywords for the correct answer entry, multiple keywords separated by " | "}
EQUATION: {optional field, only required if the correct answer is an equation, LaTeX string with "$$" on either side}
END

NUMBER: {this number is important for any error reporting, and defines the order the item is added; this must be BEFORE any associated questions}
TYPE: True / False
NAME: {this is the question name; 125 characters or less; if there is already an item with this name when imported, "Copy" will be added to the beginning of the name}
TEXT: {main question text}
ANS: {either T or F, indicating the correct answer}
END

Can I set the points for a question with an RTF file for import?

When questions are imported with an RTF file, a default of 1 point will be applied to each question. Points can be adjusted after importing the question, or they can be set using the import file.

The following field can be added to any question, on its own line of text, anywhere before the END tag for the item. In the below field, curly brackets are used to represent the definition for the field. When adding it to a question, replace the {...} portion with the appropriate content.

PTS: {numeric points value for the question}

Can I set a linked narrative or case study for a question with an RTF file for import?

Questions that are linked to a narrative or case study can be linked as part of the RTF import file. Your organization may use either narratives or case studies, depending on its configuration. If you are unsure which is enabled, look for either Narratives or Case Studies in the left-side panel of the My Library tab in EchoExam.

When linking a narrative or case study to a question, it must also be included in the RTF import file, with a NUMBER before the question.

Link a Narrative to a Question

NAR: {exact text in the "NAME" field for the narrative that should be linked to this question; must be in the same file}

Link a Case Study to a Question

The following fields can be added to any question, on its own lines of text, anywhere before the END tag for the item. In the fields below, curly brackets are used to represent the definition for the fields. When adding them to a question, replace the {...} portion with the appropriate content.

CAS: {exact text in the "NAME" field for the case study that should be linked to this question; must be in the same file}
TABS: {number corresponding to each case study tab that should display with this question, separated by " | "}

Can I use equations in my content when creating an RTF file for import?

Equations can be used in any item field, so long as the field also supports equations when created directly in EchoExam. If you aren't sure whether a field supports equations, check the editor for that item type and look for the Add Equation button in the field.

When adding equations, use LaTeX formatting with $$ on either side of the string. For example, the quadratic formula would be added like this: $$x=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$$

Can I add instructor annotations, rationale, or feedback for a question with an RTF file for import?

Instructor annotations, rationale, and question feedback can optionally be included with any question when importing an RTF file.

Instructor Annotation

ANNOTATION: {text content for the instructor annotations; up to 750 characters}

Rationale

RATIONALE: {text content for the rationale; up to 1500 characters}

Feedback

CORRECT: {text content for the correct response feedback}
INCORRECT: {text content for the incorrect response feedback}

Can I set the metadata tags for a question with an RTF file for import?

Metadata tags can optionally be included with any question when importing an RTF file. If the metadata tag is already included in your settings, the existing tag will be linked to the question; if the metadata tag cannot be found in your settings, one will be created.

MET: {text for each associated metadata tag, separated by " | "}

Can I use hierarchical metadata with an RTF file for import?

Metadata tags can be imported with a parent/child hierarchy by using an arrow ( > ) to define the hierarchy. The last child tag in the hierarchy will be linked to the question, and the full hierarchy will be added to your metadata settings.

For Example: MET: science > biology will import science as a top-level tag with biology nested under it, and biology will be tagged to the question.

You can tag items at multiple levels of the hierarchy and include multiple hierarchy tags on a single question.

For Example: MET: science | science > biology | Unit 1 > Chapter 3 will import science as a top-level tag with biology nested under it, and Unit 1 as a top-level tag with Chapter 3 nested under it; science, biology, and Chapter 3 will be tagged to the question.

Up to five hierarchy levels are supported with metadata tags.

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