Guide · Updated

How to import questions from Word, Excel or PDF into an online test

Short answer

In MegaExams, open Question Bank, choose Import questions, and upload a Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), CSV or PDF file, or photos of a printed paper. CSV files import instantly with a preview; everything else is read by AI into editable questions that you review and save, so nothing goes live unchecked. Then make an exam from the saved questions in one click.

Most teachers already have years of question papers in Word files, spreadsheets, PDFs and printouts. Retyping them is the main reason online tests feel like extra work. This guide shows how to bring them in, which format to use, and how to avoid the common problems.

Step by step: from file to online test

  1. Step 1: Prepare the file

    Any clear layout works, but the cleanest results come from numbered questions, lettered options (A, B, C, D), an Answer: line under each question and, if you have them, a Solution: line that students see in their review. The import page has sample files (sample.docx, sample.xlsx and sample.csv) to copy the layout from.

  2. Step 2: Open Import questions

    Sign in at megaexams.com/register, open Question Bank and choose Import questions. You can also drop a CSV, Excel or Word file straight into the exam builder's Bulk upload questions box while making an exam.

  3. Step 3: Upload the file, photos or text

    Drag in a CSV, Excel (.xlsx) or Word (.docx) file up to 10 MB, a PDF of up to 20 pages, or up to 10 photos of a printed paper (JPG, PNG, WebP or HEIC, up to 15 MB each). On a phone, Take photo opens the camera: one photo per page, flat and in good light. If the questions are in an email or a web page, open Or paste your questions as text and paste them in.

  4. Step 4: Choose multiple choice only, if you want it

    Tick Make every question multiple choice to turn fill-in-the-blank questions into choice questions: they keep the printed choices, or AI writes three wrong options next to the right answer. Essay questions stay written.

  5. Step 5: Review every question

    Each question appears as an editable card. Fix the wording, change the type (MCQ, true or false, fill in the blank, numeric or written answer), set points and negative marks, and accept or reject it. Questions with no answer key are flagged and never saved until you pick the answer. Reading passages are detected and kept with their questions.

  6. Step 6: Apply the answer key

    If the key is separate, choose Apply answer key and paste it, for example 1-B, 2-D, 3-A, or upload it as a CSV, Excel, Word or text file. Letters, option numbers, several correct answers (A,C), True or False, numbers and text answers all work. If your file already had the answers, one button confirms all the suggested answers at once.

  7. Step 7: File the batch and save

    Optionally file the whole batch under a subject, chapter, topic and class in one go, then click Save to bank. Saved questions stay saved even if you leave the page, and an unfinished import can be resumed later.

  8. Step 8: Make the exam

    Click Make an exam from the saved questions (up to 200 at a time), then set the timer, marking and access as in how to conduct an online exam.

Which format should you use?

Swipe the table sideways to see every column.

Format How it is read Best for
CSV Instantly, from fixed columns, with a preview of every row Large banks you maintain in a spreadsheet
Excel (.xlsx) Straight from the columns when the sheet uses the sample.xlsx headers; otherwise read by AI Question lists kept in Excel or Google Sheets
Word (.docx) Read by AI Typed question papers
PDF Read by AI, up to 20 pages; scanned pages are read like photos Papers you only have as PDF
Photos Read by AI, up to 10 pages Printed papers and handouts
Pasted text Read by AI Questions in an email, chat or web page

The CSV columns include the question type, question text, explanation, difficulty, class, subject, chapter and topic, points, negative_marks, tags, up to six options each with a correct flag, and accepted answers for typed questions; download sample.csv from the import page for the exact header row. Excel files from Google Sheets work too: download the sheet as .xlsx or .csv.

Common problems and quick fixes

  • "This is an older Word .doc file." Open it in Word or Google Docs and save or download it as .docx, then upload that copy.
  • Answers come through blank. The file had no answer marks. Apply the key in the review step, or add an Answer: line to each question in the file.
  • Diagrams are missing. After saving, open the question and add or replace the image in the question editor. Options can carry images too.
  • Photos read badly. Retake them flat, in good light, one page per photo, with the whole page in the frame.
  • A very long Word or Excel file. Up to about 50,000 characters of text are read from one file. Split a longer paper into two or three files and import each one.

Moving from another quiz tool

Coming from Google Forms or another tool? Export or copy the questions into a document or spreadsheet and import them as above. See the Google Forms alternative guide and comparisons with other tools. Once imported, questions live in your question bank, organised by subject and chapter, ready to reuse in any exam.

Try it on your next exam

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Frequently asked questions

Can I import a PDF question paper into an online test?

Yes. Upload a PDF of up to 20 pages (up to 15 MB) on the Import questions page. Text pages and scanned pages are both read into questions that you review before saving.

Do I need a special template to import from Word?

No fixed template is required. Numbered questions, lettered options and an Answer: line give the best results, and the sample .docx on the import page shows the layout.

Can I upload the answer key separately?

Yes. In the review step, paste a key such as 1-B, 2-D, 3-A or upload it as a CSV, Excel, Word or text file, and it is matched to the questions by number.

Is anything published automatically after import?

No. Imported questions are only saved to your bank after you accept them, and they reach students only when you add them to an exam and publish it.

Is importing questions free?

Yes. CSV imports have no limit. Files read by AI are free too, within a daily fair-use limit per teacher.

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