Using Autocrat to Automate Report Cards

Have you heard about Autocrat?

Autocrat is an add-on for Google that allows you to merge information from a Google Sheet into a Google Doc using a template. I learned about this add-on a couple years ago, and now I use it to create report cards, rubrics, student self-assessments, and anything else I can use it for. 

Autocrat makes creating report cards super fast and easy because it can be used to automate the creation of the reports. Click on the video below for a demonstration, or read the step-by-step instructions further below to see how it works.

1. Start With a Template

Create a template for your report in Google Docs. You can create tags in your template that will be populated by autocrat if they are set up in double brackets, like this: <<tag>>

See an example template below:

2. Create a Google Form

The Google Form allows you to easily fill in the information you want auto-populated into your tags. This can include student name, strengths, stretches, or any other information. 

If you have a checklist on your form (and choose more than one option), the options will be listed in the order they appear on the form, separated by a comma.

Here is an example of a form that could be used with the above template:

Fill in the Form

Complete the form for each student. Then go to the "Responses" tab and create a spreadsheet.

Launch Autocrat and Set up the Program

Make sure you have Autocrat downloaded to your Google browser. To get autocrat, click on extensions, then "Get Add-ons" and search for Autocrat.

Once you have it installed, launch Autocrat.

Then go through the system prompts to find your template, name your job, and map the tags. 

Then, run the merge.

Download the Reports

When the merge is over, you can scroll to the end of your sheet to access the documents. 

Here is an example of a document after the merge is complete:

Report cards are just the tip of the iceberg for what Autocrat can help you with as a teacher. You could also use it for student self-assessments, to automate rubrics, etc.

So, have you used Autocrat in your classroom? What have you used it for? What are you inspired to use it for? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.