--- title: "Respondus Alternative for Importing Quizzes Into Your LMS | Formswrite Blog" description: "Looking for a Respondus alternative to turn Word and PDF tests into LMS imports? How the options compare for Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard and Brightspace." canonical: https://formswrite.com/blog/respondus-alternative-quiz-import last-updated: 2026-10-08 --- # Respondus Alternative for Importing Quizzes Into Your LMS In short If you used Respondus to turn Word documents into LMS quizzes, the closest alternatives are a converter that exports standard files for your LMS, the import formats your LMS already reads (QTI, Aiken, GIFT, CSV), or typing questions into the LMS quiz editor. This page is about the test-authoring and import side of Respondus. Respondus also makes LockDown Browser, a separate proctoring product, and none of the options below replaces that. ## What people use Respondus for Respondus 4.0 is a Windows desktop application that many institutions license. Teachers write or paste questions in a structured text or Word layout, preview them and publish the test to a connected LMS. People look for alternatives for a few common reasons: - They are on a Mac or Chromebook, or have no admin rights to install a desktop program. - Their school does not license it, or the licence is for a different campus or department. - They want to go from an existing PDF or Google Doc rather than retype into a template. - They are changing LMS and want questions in a format that moves with them. ## How the options compare | Option | Needs installation | Source files | Output | Works across LMSes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Respondus 4.0 | Yes, Windows | Formatted Word or text file | Direct publish to supported LMSes, or an export file | Yes, many | | Formswrite | No, runs in the browser | Word, PDF, Google Doc, spreadsheet, Google Form | Files and exports for Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, Brightspace and others | Yes | | Your LMS's own import | No | Package or text in a specific format | Direct into that LMS | One LMS only | | Typing into the quiz editor | No | Nothing | Direct | One LMS only | Respondus details come from its public product description. Confirm the current version, supported LMSes and your institution's licence with Respondus or your IT team. ## The browser-based route, step by step 1. Collect your questions in a Word file, PDF or Google Doc. Number the questions, letter the options and mark the correct answer. 2. Upload the file to Formswrite. It reads each question, its options and the correct answer. 3. Choose your LMS as the export target. For Canvas, Formswrite creates a QTI package. For Moodle, you can choose Aiken, GIFT or Moodle XML. 4. Download the file and import it using your LMS's own import page. For Canvas, that is Settings, then Import Course Content, with the QTI .zip file type. 5. Open the quiz and check the points and correct answers before publishing. ## What is free and what is paid The free Formswrite plan includes five Formswrite Forms per month (a Formswrite Form is the quiz hosted by Formswrite itself). The only free export is Formswrite Forms. Exports to Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, Brightspace, QTI, GIFT, Aiken and every other LMS format are paid. If you only have a quiz or two a year, the manual route through your LMS editor may cost less time overall than any converter. [See LMS import options](/product/import-quiz-to-lms-platforms) ## What to check before you switch 1. Count the questions. A few dozen can be typed straight into the LMS editor in an afternoon, while a bank of several hundred is where a converter pays off. 2. List the question types. Multiple choice, multiple answer and true/false convert reliably. Complex types such as calculated or hotspot questions should be rebuilt in the LMS. 3. Test with ten questions first. Import them into a sandbox course, check points and answer keys, and only then run the full bank. 4. Keep the source document. A clean Word or Google Doc is the master copy, and every export is generated from it, so a future LMS change does not mean starting over. ## When to stay with Respondus Stay with it if your college has a campus licence, your tests rely on features of its authoring templates, and everybody on your team already knows the workflow. A switch is worth it when installation, platform or format is the obstacle. If you also move between LMSes, read [quiz import formats by LMS](/blog/quiz-import-formats-by-lms), and for the file types themselves see [QTI format explained](/blog/qti-format-explained) and [Aiken vs GIFT vs Moodle XML](/blog/moodle-aiken-vs-gift-vs-xml). ## FAQ Is Formswrite a replacement for Respondus LockDown Browser? No. LockDown Browser locks down the test-taking environment, which is a different job. Formswrite handles the conversion of questions from documents into the files your LMS imports. Can I import a Respondus file into Canvas without Respondus? Canvas reads QTI packages. If you only have a Respondus text or Word file, convert the questions to a QTI package with a converter, then use Import Course Content in Canvas. Which formats can replace a Respondus workflow in Moodle? Aiken, GIFT and Moodle XML are built into Moodle. Aiken is simplest for single-answer multiple choice, and GIFT or Moodle XML cover feedback and other question types. Do I need to install anything? No. Formswrite runs in the browser, and the file it produces is imported through your LMS's normal import page.