Formerly known as "Manually Added Classes", custom groups are a great way to group existing students into groups that are not synced from your SIS. Some examples of groupings are sports teams, all students who were absent on a given day, clubs, bus routes, etc.
Note: To bulk add existing students to a group, they must already be in TalkingPoints through the Clever or ClassLink sync with an SIS ID. Bulk adding students is not currently supported for .csv-rostered partners. Please use the Self-Serve .csv Uploader Guide to add another class, or look below for how to add existing students individually.
Make the .csv file:
In a spreadsheet tool of your choice, please format your file as follows:
Title Column A, Row 1 with sisId
Please note that Column A, Row 1 must have a title, because our system will not recognize this cell as an SIS ID.
The title must be "sisId".
In all subsequent rows within this column, please list out the SIS IDs of the students you would like to be added to the custom group you’re creating. Only one SIS ID per cell should be listed.
For Clever: The field that we're pulling as the SIS ID is the value your school or district is sending to the {sisID} field in Clever. Please ensure that the IDs in the spreadsheet match this value.
For ClassLink: The field that we're pulling as the SIS ID is the {identifier} field in ClassLink. Please ensure that the IDs in the spreadsheet match this value.
For IC OneRoster (infinite campus): The field that we're pulling as the SIS ID is the {identifier} field. Please ensure that the IDs in the spreadsheet match this value.
If you would like to check the number that is coming through to TalkingPoints, follow the instructions below to create the group and click "Add students individually". Hover over the student name to reveal the Student ID.
Tip: It is recommended to only have this single column in the .csv file. However, if it makes it easier for you to add additional columns with student first name and last name as a reference for yourself you may do so, but it could increase upload times. Only the first column will be used by our system.
Download the sheet as a .csv file.
Create a Group in TalkingPoints:
District Mode:
Step 1: Click on 'Groups' in the left hand panel.
Step 2: Select 'Add Group' from the top right corner.
Step 3: Name the group and click 'Create'.
Add Students:
Step 1: Select 'Add Students' from the top right.
Step 2: Select 'browse your computer' to find the .csv file you downloaded.
To upload the .csv file: Drag and drop the .csv file you downloaded, or browse
your computer files. The 'override group with this new student list' option will
appear. Check the box if you would like to replace a current student list with
the student list in the new .csv file. Leave the box unchecked if you would like
to add the students in the .csv file to the students already in the group.
Step 3: Click 'Add'.
Note: A popup at the bottom of the screen will let you know the number of students that were not found by our system. This is either because they are a manually added student with no student ID, or the student ID in the .csv file does not match a student ID in the TalkingPoints platform.
School Mode:
Step 1: Click on 'Groups' in the left hand panel.
Step 2: Select 'Add Group' from the top right corner.
Step 3: Name the group and click 'Create'.
Add Students:
Step 1: Select 'Add Students' from the top right.
Step 2: Choose if you would like to upload a .csv file, or add students individually
To upload the .csv file: Drag and drop the .csv file you downloaded, or browse
your computer files. The 'override group with this student list option will
appear. Check the box if you would like to replace a current student list with
the student list in the new .csv file. Leave the box unchecked if you would like
to add the students in the .csv file to the students already in the group. Choose
the option that is right for you and hit 'Add' when you’re ready.
Note: A popup at the bottom of the screen will let you know the number of students that were not found by our system. This is either because they are a manually added student with no student ID, or the student ID in the .csv file does not match a student ID in the TalkingPoints platform.
To add students individually: Select 'Add Students individually' and use the
checkboxes to select students that you would like to add to the group and click on 'Add Selected'.
Step 3: Click 'Add'.
Add Staff:
Step 1: Select 'Add Staff' from the top right.
Step 2: Check the box next to the staff members who you would like to give access to the group.
Step 3: Click 'Add Selected'.
