This guide will demonstrate how to create a grade column in the Blackboard Learn Ultra Gradebook for instructions to manually enter grades.
Items such as assignments, tests, and graded discussion board posts will automatically have columns created in the Gradebook.
Accessing the Gradebook
Within your Blackboard Learn Ultra course, click on the Gradebook link below the course name.
Entering Grade Column Details
After selecting the option to create a grade item, you will see a side panel appear where you can enter the column information:
- Name: At the top, enter a name for the column.
- Use the first dropbox to select to make the column either hidden or visible to students.
- Due date: Use the date and time selector to enter a due date for the grade column.
- Grade using: Use the dropdown menu to select which method to enter grades (Percentage, Score, Letter, or Complete/Incomplete).
- Maximum points: Enter the point value for the column here.
- Category: Use the dropdown menu to assign a category for the column.
- Description: Enter a description for the column in this field.
- When you are finished, click the Save button to create the column.
Instructors can choose from 4 different options, select the link to scroll to an option fo Add Item, Add Text, and Add Calculation, and Add Total Calculation.
Create an Add Calculation Column
creating a calculated column allows you to generate a column that automatically calculates values such as averages, totals, or weighted scores based on other gradebook columns. Calculation Columns are best used for individual items. To add an entire Gradebook Category link to Create Total Calculation Columns.
Select Add Calculation
1. Type in a column title.
2. Select which type of grade schema, Letter, Points, Percentage, Complete/Incomplete.
3. Select to hide or visible to students.
- Average: Calculates the average score of selected columns.
- Total: Adds the total points from selected columns.
- Minimum/Maximum: Finds the lowest or highest score from the selected columns.
- Variables: Allows to select specific content course work such as assignments, test, and discussions.
1. Between each function or variable,
there is the option to choose,
2. between operators.
In the above example the column will total up Week 1 Assignment and Exam 1. Select Save












