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Importing & Exporting Turnitin Rubrics

This article will outline the steps to import a rubric from an Excel file. It will also cover how to export a rubric to share with others.

To import a rubric, open the Rubric Manager by going to an existing (or create a new) Turnitin assignment. This can be found under optional settings in the Turnitin assignment.

Once you have accessed the assignment, click the button to launch the Rubric Manager. When the Rubric Manager launches, navigate to its top right corner and click the icon.

Choose import.

If this is your first time importing a rubric that you have created or intends to create from an Excel file, it is highly recommended that you download the template from the Turnitin Rubric Manager to ensure correct formatting and avoid split cells.

Importing Existing Rubrics (.rbc files)

If another Turnitin instructor has exported an .rbc file for you to import, proceed to Import Process

If you already made your rubric in Word

In the event that a rubric has already been created in Microsoft Word or another textbased format, your options for importing include

  1. Copy and paste each box in the table into the template referenced above.
  2. Remove all paragraph marks, e.g. where you or the creator typed the 'enter' key (this is to avoid splitting cells).

If choosing the second method, select the entire table in Word and paste it into an Excel sheet. In column A, add in spacing back in to separate between the criterion title and criterion description.

Use ALT + ENTER to add the line break between Criterion Title and Criterion Description.

Note: cell A1 should be left empty.

There is a 13-character limit for the criteria titles.

Import from Excel Template

In the Rubric Manager, click the 'download template' button.

Open the downloaded file and enable editing. From here, you can produce your custom rubric for an assignment, adding headings for the assessment criteria in column A. Add titles for the scales in row one. Add descriptive text in each cell.

Note: cell A1 should be left empty

There is a 13-character limit for the criteria titles. Use short headings (e.g. ‘Analysis’ rather than ‘Analytical skills’). However, you can enter a fuller description of these headings on a new line, as shown below.

Remove any unused text from the template, if present when you have completed filling in the rubric.

Please note: save the file as .xls or .xlsx (the automatic format of the template).

Save the file. The name of the file will also appear as the name of the rubric when imported to Turnitin.

The name of the file/rubric must be 30 characters or fewer.

Import Process

Return to the Rubric Manager, this time choosing 'Select Files.' This will open your file explorer and you can find the rubric file you have saved and upload it to the Rubric Manager.

You will see a green check mark when it is complete. Click 'view' to access your rubric, which will also be editable.

Your full rubric will open for review. Click on a box to edit text. Click 'save' to save changes. Use the icons at the bottom to add points or percents, if desired.

Your rubric can now be attached to any Turnitin assignment.

Exporting a Turnitin Rubric

To share a Turnitin rubric to other instructors for their own modules, access the Rubric Manager by clicking on an existing Turnitin assignment or beginning to create a new one.

You will find Rubric Manager under the Optional Settings (wheel icon) as outlined above.

Launch the manager. Ensure you are on the rubric you would like to export

If you not viewing the rubric you want to export, click the menu in the top left to view all rubrics and select the one you wish to export.

Once you are viewing the correct rubric, click the icon in the top right corner, this time choosing 'export.' The rubric will download to a .rbc file. There is no need to open it.

Locate the file in your downloads and attach via email to the instructor you wish to send it to. That instructor may then import the file per above, 'Importing Existing Rubrics (.rbc files)'.

For more information about Turnitin Rubrics, see