Blackboard Ultra (Faculty) - Create a Collaborative Document

Using the Microsoft documents integration, you can set up collaborative documents within Blackboard Ultra. This allows multiple users to edit or collaborate on a document in real time. These can include documents already created and saved to your OneDrive account, or it can be set up as a blank page that can be edited within Blackboard. Collaborative documents replace the "Blog" content item in Blackboard Learn Original.

All collaborative documents are stored inside the Blackboard course, and any changes are saved there. Therefore, if you use a OneDrive file, it will be copied to Blackboard as a new version, and the original file will remain unedited. Supported file types include:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint

Creating a Collaborative Document

1. Locate the place to add the collaborative document on the course content page and select the plus sign icon. Choose Create.
   
   
   
   
2. A panel appears on the right. Select Cloud Collaboration under "Participation and Engagement".
   
   
   
   
3. If prompted, click the Sign in button to sign in with your Microsoft account.
4. Choose the Type of file you want to use (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint). Alternatively, choose the Select Existing Document button to use a file stored in OneDrive. (This will be copied to Blackboard, if selected.)
   
   
   
   
5. Add a Document Name and a Description. Click Create to add the new file. 
6. The Cloud Document Settings panel will appear on the right side. Configure your settings and select Save.
   
   
   
   
7. The new blank document will be embedded into the Course Content page (or a copy of your OneDrive file if one was imported). By default, it is hidden from students. Click the tile to open it or select the ellipsis (...) and Edit from the drop-down menu to begin adding or editing.
8. Use the drop-down menu in the upper right corner to make the Collaborative Document available and Visible to students.
   
   
   
   
9. Use the Refresh button to refresh the page and see recent updates from other collaborators.

For more information about creating collaborative cloud documents, refer to this article from Blackboard Help.

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This guide aims to provide useful information, but as technology changes, interfaces or steps might vary. Please use the Comment button to let us know if anything differs from your experience. Your feedback helps us keep this information accurate. Thank you!