Blackboard Ally for Staff

Blackboard Ally transforms files into several different formats. You do not have to be a student or faculty member. Upload any file to the Ally File Transformer and find an alternative format, including audio files, that works for you.

1. Use Firefox browser
2. Log into webcourses.niu.edu with your NIU ID and password
3. Scroll down to Assist on the left and select it
4. Scroll down to Ally File Transformer and select it
5. Drag and drop a file to upload it or click the Browse button and search for a file to upload. Supported file types are PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX and HTML.
6. You may have to solve a captcha to verify that you are a person, not a robot. You can choose a visual or audio captcha.

Alternate Formats

• HTML - View the document in a browser, displays well on a small screen
• ePub - Reads like an e-book on tablets
• PDF - Ally adds structure to improve use with assistive technology
• Audio (MP3 file) - Listen to the document
• Electronic braille - Read on an electronic braille display
• Translated - Machine-translated version, over 50 languages available
• BeeLine Reader - Eye-guiding color gradient text