TLT’s Blackboard Support Blog

If you are using the Assignment tool in your Blackboard class, you may be familiar with the Item Download feature, which allows you to download all student submissions to your computer in a ZIP file.

We are currently experiencing a small bug with this feature which is converting spaces in Assignment titles (example: Midterm Assignment) to plus signs (+) in the ZIP filename (example: Midterm+Assignment.zip).  Blackboard cannot parse special characters like plus signs, so attempting to download the ZIP file will result in an error.

Example:

1. Clicking on the Download assignments now link… (screenshot)
2. …results in a HTTP Status 404 error. (screenshot)

We have a temporary fix so you can have access to your ZIP files.

1. On the HTTP Status 404 page, click Back in your browser to go back to the Download Assignments page.
2. Right-click on the Download assignments now link, and select either Open in New Tab or Open in New Window (phrasing may vary depending on which browser you’re using). (screenshot)
3. Notice that the space in your Assignment title has been replaced with a plus (+). (screenshot)
4. Change that plus (+) back to a space and hit Enter/Return on your keyboard. (screenshot)
5. You will be prompted to download the ZIP file.

Another option is to rename your assignment to remove the space.

1. In the Control Panel, go to the Content Area where your assignment is located.
2. Click the Modify button to the right of the assignment.
3. Remove the space from the assignment Name and click Submit.
4. Follow the Item Download instructions.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 at 1:28 pm and is filed under assignment, bug, workaround. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.