Add students by pasting names or importing CSV

For a short list, paste one name per line

Open Students in the editor and use Add your students. Paste or type one student per line, inspect the count, then choose Add students. For an existing roster, use Add to open the entry form.

Each line adds a separate student, even when names match. Use Edit student to give students with the same name different Display names. This helps you tell them apart when assigning seats or setting rules.

For a spreadsheet, export a CSV first

Export your spreadsheet as CSV before importing it; DeskRoster reads CSV files in the browser and cannot import an Excel workbook directly. Select a full-name column, or combine first and last name columns.

For a fictional example, use First name and Last name as column headers. Enter Alex and Chen in the first data row, then Sam and Rivera in the second. Select both columns; the preview should show Alex Chen and Sam Rivera. Include only the information needed for the roster.

1. Choose Import CSV in Add your students and select the file.
2. Open Adjust CSV columns. Check First row contains column names and choose Name column and, if needed, Combine with (optional).
3. Check the name count and any skipped rows. As you change columns, the names update in the entry field.
4. Read through the names and check the count, then choose Add students. Selecting the CSV file alone does not add students.

Add to or replace an existing roster

Append students adds to your current list, so importing the same names twice creates duplicates. Replace roster replaces the list after confirmation. Review the confirmation carefully: replacing the roster removes its current assignments and student rules.

DeskRoster adds desks when more seats are needed, up to 120 seats. Check the name count before adding a large list. A CSV file can be within the file-size limit and still contain more students than the editor can seat.

If the imported names look wrong

If a column heading appears as a student, check First row contains column names. For incomplete names, check the selected columns. Rows with no name are skipped, so compare the preview with your original list.

Malformed quotation marks can prevent CSV parsing. Export the original spreadsheet as CSV again instead of manually removing quotes from names. If text is unreadable, re-export with UTF-8 encoding and review the preview.

CSV imports student names only. It does not import desk positions, seat assignments or rules.