FAQ Inspera Originality
Here you will find answers to the most common questions about plagiarism checking and Inspera Originality, how it works, and what you as a teacher need to keep in mind.
Question compilation
Last reviewed August 18, 2025.
To get to the questions, scroll down the page or press on the question in one of the lists in this compilation.
Which file formats does Originality support?
The system supports documents in PDF and DOCX format. The document must also contain at least 20 words and 430 characters for an originality report to be generated. Other file formats cannot be reviewed by the system.
Does a highlighted sentence necessarily mean plagiarism?
No. When a sentence or text is highlighted in the originality report, it means that Originality has found similarities with other sources. This is supporting information for you as a teacher or examiner, but it is always your judgment that determines whether it is plagiarism. For example, correctly cited text or commonly used phrases may also be highlighted.
Can I trust Originality to find everything?
No. The system is a tool, not a final verdict. Originality compares texts against public websites, academic databases, and previous submissions within KTH (if this function is activated), but there may be sources the system does not have access to.
Can I use Originality for supervision or independent reviews?
Yes. If you, for example, supervise theses, doctoral, or licentiate projects and there is no Canvas course linked to the work, you can use Inspera Originality independently. You then upload the document directly in the Inspera Originality portal and receive an originality report.
Do students need to be informed that their text will be checked with Originality?
Yes, students must always be informed that their submissions will be analyzed using Originality. At KTH, the tool is used integrated with Canvas, and this information must be included in the assignment description.
What happens if a student submits a document that is too short or in the wrong format?
For Originality to analyze the text, the document must contain at least 20 words and 430 characters, and it must be in PDF or DOCX format. If the document is too short or in the wrong format, no originality report is generated. However, the student will still see their submission in Canvas, just without analysis results.
I don’t want to receive emails for every report Originality generates - what should I do?
At present, Inspera Originality does not send automatic emails for each report. You need to log in to the system to view the reports. If you have enabled email notifications in another way through Inspera, you can adjust your personal settings in the Inspera portal under your account.
Can I as a teacher see everything in the system?
You can see the originality reports that belong to your own courses or the documents you upload yourself via the Inspera portal. However, you cannot freely search for previous student submissions in the database - they are only used by the system as comparison material during analysis.
What should I do if I suspect plagiarism or cheating?
If you, based on the originality report and your own judgment, suspect plagiarism or cheating, you must follow KTH’s routine for disciplinary cases . The report from Inspera Originality can be used as supporting material in a report, but a pedagogical and individual assessment of the material is always required.