Overview
Teachers often have meaningful student data — reading levels, assessment scores, survey responses — sitting in spreadsheets, PDFs, or other platforms, but there's no practical way to use it for grouping without entering it by hand. Grouper's import feature is designed to close that gap.
You bring the data file; Grouper uses AI to match students and map columns to attributes automatically. The result is that data you've already collected becomes immediately usable for smarter, more intentional group formation.
For grouping strategy after import, see the Making groups with student data support article.
Supported input types
Common data sources:
Spreadsheets
PDFs
Exports from other platforms (i-Ready, MAP, IXL, Formative, etc.)
Microsoft Word files (with lists or tables)
Screenshots
Photos of paper reports
Best structure:
Table format (rows and columns)
One student per row
Data fields in columns
Import flow
1. Open a class page.
2. Drag a data file into the import area (or browse to upload).
3. Wait for processing.
4. Review proposed student matches and proposed attribute columns.
5. Correct mismatches with the student-match dropdown.
6. Deselect columns you don't want to import.
7. Click Apply changes to finalize.
Important
Import does not update existing attribute columns.
Each import creates new attribute columns.
Importing new students
Import can also add new students to your class — not just new data columns for existing students.
During the import review step, a "Add new students" toggle controls this behavior:
On: Any students in the import file who aren't already in the class will be added as new students.
Off: Only data for existing students is imported; unrecognized students are skipped.
The toggle defaults to off for existing classes (to avoid accidentally adding students from old or mismatched data files) and on for newly created classes (where adding students is usually the intent).
You can change the toggle at any point during the review step before applying changes.
Common troubleshooting
"I imported data but nothing changed"
Most often, the final Apply changes step was not completed. Check the Import tab again to see if there is a pending import.
"My import created duplicate attributes"
This is expected when importing a refreshed dataset. Keep the new column, verify values, then remove old columns.
"A student matched to the wrong person"
Use the student-match dropdown in import review before applying changes.
"Can I import into Study Buddies or Do Not Group With directly?"
No. Import creates new columns and does not write directly into existing preset attributes.
Can I import data for multiple classes at once?
Not for individual accounts. If you're interested in uploading data for multiple classes, or even all classes in a school or district, ask your administrator or contact us at grouper.school/contact to learn about solutions for centrally importing data.