Spontaneous groaning was heard around the world when Microsoft first announced that MS Word 2007 would have an entirely new file format (.docx). In truth, we did some complaining ourselves because it meant adding an entirely new import function to Respondus 3.5.
But as we investigated the new XML-based format for .docx files, we realized that it was going to allow for more powerful imports. Specifically, it expands the types of images, objects, and formatting that can be imported with exam questions.
A free update for Respondus (Version 3.5.4d) supports imports of .docx files. Some of the enhancements you'll find with .docx imports are explained below.
Equations
For over 10 years MS Word has included a built-in Equation Editor. Math and science faculty have often upgraded this tool to the more powerful MathType Equation Editor from Design Science. But when Respondus users have wanted to import .doc files that contained equations, they had to go through a series of extra steps (which are detailed in this earlier newsletter article "Respondus Offers Enhanced Importing Capabilities").
However, with the newer .docx format, no special handling is required for equations. Respondus 3.5 will import equations "inline" with the rest of your materials. Note that Respondus 3.5 converts equations to .gif format, regardless of whether they are being imported from .doc or .docx files.
Drawing Tool
The Drawing Tool in MS Word allows users to perform simple desktop publishing functions such as adding lines, boxes, flow charts and so forth. With earlier versions of MS Word (the .doc format) objects created with the Drawing Tool cannot be imported by Respondus. But objects created with the Drawing Tool in MS Word 2007 and saved in .docx format will import just fine with Respondus 3.5.4d.
Auto Lettering and Numbering
One of the basic rules for importing MS Word files with Respondus 3.5 is that a number must precede the wording of each question, followed by either a period or parenthesis. With Multiple Choice questions, each answer choice must be preceded with a letter. For example,
- Who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1907?
- a. Albert Einstein
- b. Albert Michelson
- c. Marie Currie
- d. Guglielmo Marconi
Simple enough. But the Auto-Lettering and Auto-Numbering features in MS Word (which are enabled by default) automatically turn lists of numbers and letters into codes that aren't actually letters and numbers in the underlying file format. So, Respondus users cannot use this feature when preparing MS Word documents for import.
As you've probably surmised, this is no longer a problem with MS Word 2007 .docx files. In fact, once we solved the problem for .docx files, we were than able to add similar support for the older .doc files.
A Final Note
To take advantage of the new import features for .docx files, you'll need to have MS Word 2007 installed on your computer. Also make sure you're running Respondus 3.5.4d or higher. To see if you have the latest version, start your Respondus 3.5 software, select "Help" from the menu bar, and then click "Check for Update".
Finally, select Import Questions from the Start menu and choose the Microsoft Word 2007 (DOCX) option shown below.
Source: Respondus, Inc. (www.respondus.com)
Originally Published: June 30, 2008
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