Converting Google and Apple files For Blackboard Assignments

by | Jul 18, 2025 | Assignments, Blackboard, Macbook and iPads, Microsoft, Word

Google Drive and Apple iCloud have great tools for creating files and working on assignments for class, but these files types aren’t very compatible with Blackboard’s in-browser viewer. Here’s how you can convert and download a copy of your files into Blackboard-compatible formats!

Converting to other file formats may affect page alignment in the resulting file. We recommend using the Microsoft Suite of applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) from the start to save the most time.

Did you know? Your student account comes with the full Microsoft Suite of programs available to use online or download onto your device! Log into Microsoft 365 to get started with Office Online or install Office for Desktop

 

Convert to Word or PDF

Both Google and Apple have an export feature that allow you to convert your document into either a Word Document or a PDF.

Note: Converting to other file formats may affect page alignment in the resulting file. You may need to make adjustments in the converted file.

For Google:

  1. With your document open in Google Drive, click File in the top left corner.
  2. Hover your mouse over the Download option and select either Microsoft Word (.docx) or PDF Document (.pdf).
    Arrow 1 points to File in the top left, arrow 2 points to Download in the resulting list, two boxes highlight Microsoft Word (.docx) and PDF Document (.pdf)
  3. A copy will then be downloaded to your browser’s default location. You can also find this location by clicking the Folder icon in the downloads bar in the top right (location and appearance may vary for your browser).

Once a copy has been downloaded, you can then upload the file to your Blackboard assignment!

 

For Apple:

  1. With your file open, tap or click the Share button Share button  in the toolbar.
    Click or tap the Share Button
  2. Tap or click Export and Send.
    Click or tap Export and Send
  3. Choose a format for your document: To convert a Pages document to Word or PDF, choose Word or PDF.
  4. To save the converted file on your device or to iCloud Drive:
    • On iPhone or iPad, tap Save to Files, then choose a location.
      Click or tap Save to Files
      Choose to either save to device or save to iCloud Drive
    • On Mac, click Save, then choose a location.
Don’t have access to your Apple device or Macbook? You can download a copy through your iCloud!
  1. Sign in to iCloud.com with your Apple Account.
  2. Click the Apps grid icon in the top right corner and double-click Pages.

  3. Open your file from the list.
  4. Click the More triple dots icon More button and select Download a Copy.
    Click on the triple-dots icon and select "Download a Copy" from the list.
  5. Click PDF or Word from the download options.
    Download selections for Apple Pages from left to right: Pages, PDF, Word, EPUB. Word is boxed in red.
  6. Wait until the file finishes converting to the new format.
  7. Once done, a copy will then be downloaded to your browser’s default location. You can also find this location by clicking the Folder icon in the downloads bar in the top right (location and appearance may vary for your browser).

Once a copy has been downloaded, you can then upload the file to your Blackboard assignment!

 

Convert to Excel:

Both Google and Apple have an export feature that allow you to convert your file into an Excel file!

Note: Converting to other file formats may affect page alignment in the resulting file. You may need to make adjustments in the converted file.

For Google:

  1. With your file open, click File in the top left corner.
  2. Hover your mouse over the Download option and select Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).
  3. A copy will be downloaded to your browser’s default location. You can also find this location by clicking the Folder icon in the downloads bar in the top right (location and appearance may vary for your browser).

For Apple:

  1. With your file open, tap or click the Share button Share button in the toolbar.
    Click or tap the Share Button
  2. Tap or click Export and Send.
    Click or tap Export and Send
  3. Choose a format for your document: To convert a Numbers file to Excel, click or tap Excel.
    Choose a format: Select Excel
  4. To save the converted file on your device or to iCloud Drive:
    • On iPhone or iPad, tap Save to Files, then choose a location.
      Click or tap Save to Files
      Choose to either save to device or save to iCloud Drive
    • On Mac, click Save, then choose a location.
Don’t have access to your Apple device? You can still download a copy through your iCloud!
  1. Sign in to iCloud.com with your Apple Account.
  2. Click the Apps grid icon in the top right corner and double-click Numbers.

  3. Open your file from the list.
  4. Click the More triple dots icon More button and select Download a Copy.
    Click on the triple-dots icon and select "Download a Copy" from the list.
  5. Click Excel from the download options.
    Download selections for Apple Numbers from left to right: Numbers, PDF, Excel, CSV. Excel is boxed in red.
  6. Wait until the file finishes converting to the new format.
  7. Once done, a copy will be downloaded to your browser’s default location. You can also find this location by clicking the Folder icon in the downloads bar in the top right (location and appearance may vary for your browser).

Once a copy has been downloaded, you can then upload the file to your Blackboard assignment!

 

 

Convert to PowerPoint:

Both Google and Apple have an export feature that allow you to convert your file into a PowerPoint file!

Note: Converting to other file formats may affect page alignment in the resulting file. You may need to make adjustments in the converted file.

For Google:

  1. With your file open, click File in the top left corner.
  2. Hover your mouse over the Download option and select Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx).
  3. A copy will be downloaded to your browser’s default location. You can also find this location by clicking the Folder icon in the downloads bar in the top right (location and appearance may vary for your browser).

For Apple:

  1. With your file open, tap or click the Share button Share button in the toolbar.
    Tap the Share button
  2. Tap or click Export and Send.
    Tap Export and Send
  3. Choose a format for your document: To convert a Keynote presentation to PowerPoint, click or tap PowerPoint.
    Choose a format: Select PowerPower
  4. To save the converted file on your device or to iCloud Drive:
    • On iPhone or iPad, tap Save to Files, then choose a location.
      Click or tap Save to Files
      Choose to either save to device or save to iCloud Drive
    • On Mac, click Save, then choose a location.
Don’t have access to your Apple device? You can still download a copy through your iCloud!
  1. Sign in to iCloud.com with your Apple Account.
  2. Click the Apps grid icon in the top right corner and double-click Keynote.

  3. Open your file from the list.
  4. Click the More triple dots icon More button and select Download a Copy.
    Click on the triple-dots icon and select "Download a Copy" from the list.
  5. Click PowerPoint from the download options.
    Download selections for Apple Keynote from left to right: Keynote, PDF, PowerPoint. PowerPoint is boxed in red.
  6. Wait until the file finishes converting to the new format.
  7. Once done, a copy will be downloaded to your browser’s default location. You can also find this location by clicking the Folder icon in the downloads bar in the top right (location and appearance may vary for your browser).

Once a copy has been downloaded, you can upload the file to your Blackboard assignment!

 

Resources:

print