diff --git a/grade/import/direct/classes/import_form.php b/grade/import/direct/classes/import_form.php
index ab0c1b97b2d..0fbe0828d7d 100644
--- a/grade/import/direct/classes/import_form.php
+++ b/grade/import/direct/classes/import_form.php
@@ -49,7 +49,9 @@ class gradeimport_direct_import_form extends moodleform {
 
         $mform->addElement('header', 'general', get_string('pluginname', 'gradeimport_direct'));
         // Data upload from copy/paste.
-        $mform->addElement('textarea', 'userdata', 'Data', array('rows' => 10, 'class' => 'gradeimport_data_area'));
+        $mform->addElement('textarea', 'userdata', get_string('importdata', 'core_grades'),
+            array('rows' => 10, 'class' => 'gradeimport_data_area'));
+        $mform->addHelpButton('userdata', 'importdata', 'core_grades');
         $mform->addRule('userdata', null, 'required');
         $mform->setType('userdata', PARAM_RAW);
 
diff --git a/lang/en/grades.php b/lang/en/grades.php
index 9f5f867305b..15de3617de7 100644
--- a/lang/en/grades.php
+++ b/lang/en/grades.php
@@ -411,6 +411,15 @@ $string['importcsv_help'] = 'Grades can be imported via a CSV file with format a
 A file of the correct format can be obtained by first exporting some grades. The file can then be edited and saved as a CSV file.';
 $string['importcsv_link'] = 'grade/import/csv/index';
 $string['importcustom'] = 'Import as custom outcomes (only this course)';
+$string['importdata'] = 'Data';
+$string['importdata_help'] = 'Grades may be pasted directly from an OpenDocument or Excel spreadsheet with format as follows:
+
+* At least one column should contain user identity data - username, email address or ID number.
+* Other columns should have headings as for existing activities or grade items.
+
+A correctly formatted spreadsheet can be obtained by first exporting some grades. The spreadsheet can then be edited to add more grades and saved.
+
+Select and copy the columns you want to import from the spreadsheet and then paste them into this field.';
 $string['importerror'] = 'An error occurred, this script wasn\'t called with the right parameters.';
 $string['importfailed'] = 'Import failed. No data was imported.';
 $string['importfeedback'] = 'Import feedback';