Calculated Columns
Adding a Weighted Grade Column
For steps to add a weighted grade column, please see the page on Grade Weighting.
Adding a Total Points Column
- Click the Control Panel button on the left side of the screen in your Course homepage.
- Under Assessment, click Grade Center.
- Click the Add Calculated Column button.
- Select the Total option to insert a new total column.
- Enter in the Column Name. Keep in mind only items marked with a red asterisk are required.
- Column Name: formal name for the column which will be displayed in the Grade Center if no Grade Center Display Name is entered. The maximum field size is 15 characters.
- Grade Center Display Name: this text will appear as the column heading in the Grade Center and can only be 15 characters long. The Grade Center is the only are where this name is used.
- Description: entering a description will aid instructors or other graders in identifying the column.
- Primary Display: the format chosen is the only (if no Secondary Grade is selected) format displayed for this Grade Item in the Grade Center. Often times, faculty will want to use the default selection of Score.
- Secondary Display: this selection displays the secondary format for this Grade Item in the Grade Center. The Secondary Display is denoted by parentheses. Most commonly, faculty might use the Percentage display option.
- Select the columns to include in the total. Notice there are two ways of adding items – by individual column or by category name. Click on the category name to select and then click the arrow directly to the right of the item to add.
Note:
- All Grade Columns – all columns are included in the calculation.
- All Grade Columns in Grading Period – selecting this option enables faculty to select a Grading Period from the drop-down menu. If Grading Periods are not used in the course, this option will not appear.
- Selected Grade Columns, Calculated Columns and Categories – this option allows faculty to select the specific items to include within the total column.
- To drop lowest scores, enter the number of lowest scores to be dropped from the total calculation. Leave this box empty if no scores are to be dropped.
- Set the Calculate as a running total option.
- Selecting Yes calculates the weight as a running total to include only the Columns that have been graded.
- Selecting No includes all columns in the calculation. Non-graded items are included in the calculations with a value of zero.
- Set the remaining options.
Note:
- Include column in Grade Center calculations – if Yes, the column is included in the possible selections of items when creating calculated columns.
- Show this column in My Grades – if Yes, the column will appear in My Grades, View Grades, and the Report Card module when available.
- Show Statistics (average and mean) for this column in My Grades – if Yes, statistical information with the grade value will be shown to students.
- Click the Submit button to create the new column.
Note: A Success message and the new column appear.
Adding a Minimum/Maximum Column
- Click the Control Panel button on the left side of the screen in your Course homepage.
- Under Assessment, click Grade Center.
- Click the Add Calculated Column button.
- Select the Minimum/Maximum option.
- Enter in the Column Name. Keep in mind that only items marked with a red asterisk are required.
- Column Name: formal name for the column which will be displayed in the Grade Center if no Grade Center Display Name is entered. The maximum field size is 15 characters.
- Grade Center Display Name: this text will appear as the column heading in the Grade Center and can only be 15 characters long. The Grade Center is the only are where this name is used.
- Description: entering a description will aid faculty or other graders in identifying the column.
- Primary Display: the format chosen is the only (if no Secondary Grade is selected) format displayed for this Grade Item in the Grade Center. Often times, faculty will want to use the default selection of Score.
- Secondary Display: this selection displays the secondary format for this Grade Item in the Grade Center. The Secondary Display is denoted by parentheses. Most commonly, faculty might use the Percentage display option.
- Select either Minimum or Maximum options.
- Select the columns to include in the new column. Notice there are two ways of adding items – by individual column or by category name. Click on the category name to select and then click the arrow directly to the right of the item to add.
Selected columns are shown on the right side.
Note:
- All Grade Columns – all columns are included in the calculated column.
- All Grade Columns in Grading Period – selecting this option enables faculty to select a Grading Period from the drop-down menu. If Grading Periods are not used in the course, this option will not appear.
- Selected Grade Columns, Calculated Columns and Categories – this option allows faculty to select the specific items to include within the calculated column.
- Set the Calculate as a running total option.
- Selecting Yes calculates the weight as a running total to include only the Columns that have been graded.
- Selecting No includes all columns in the calculation. Non-graded items are included in the calculations with a value of zero.
- Set the remaining options.
Note:
- Include column in Grade Center calculations – if Yes, the column scores are added to the total.
- Show this column in My Grades – if Yes, the column will appear in My Grades.
- Show Statistics (average and mean) for this column in My Grades – if Yes, statistical information with the grade value will be shown to students.
- Click the Submit button to create the new column.
Note: A Success message and the new column appear. 
Adding an Average Column
- Click the Control Panel button on the left side of the screen in your Course homepage.
- Under Assessment, click Grade Center.
- Click the Add Calculated Column button.
- Select the Average option to insert a new average column.
- Enter in the Column Name. Keep in mind only items marked with a red asterisk are required.
- Select the columns to be included in the new calculated column. Notice there are two ways of adding items – by individual column or by category name. Click on the category name to select and then click the arrow directly to the right of the item to add.
Selected columns are shown on the right side.
- All Grade Columns – all columns are included in the average column.
- All Grade Columns in Grading Period – selecting this option enables faculty to select a Grading Period from the drop-down menu. If Grading Periods are not used in the course, this option will not appear.
- Selected Grade Columns, Calculated Columns and Categories – this option allows faculty to select the specific items to include within the average column.
- Set the Calculate as a running total option.
- Selecting Yes calculates the weight as a running total to include only the Columns that have been graded.
- Selecting No includes all columns in the calculation. Non-graded items are included in the calculations with a value of zero.
- To drop the lowest scores, enter the number of lowest scores to be dropped from the total calculation. Leave this box empty if no scores are to be dropped.
- Set the remaining options.
Note:
- Include column in Grade Center calculations – if Yes, the column is included in the possible selections of items when creating calculated columns.
- Show this column in My Grades – if Yes, the column will appear in My Grades, View Grades, and the Report Card module when available.
- Show Statistics (average and mean) for this column in My Grades – if Yes, statistical information with the grade value will be shown to students.
- Click the Submit button to create the new column.
Note: A Success message and the new column appear.
Find more answers...
Are you looking for more information regarding the Blackboard Grade Center? Review the answers to Blackboard frequently asked questions as well as Blackboard tutorials. Also, consider attending one of the upcoming Blackboard workshops.
Last Updated: 10/08/2009
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