** NOTE ** This solution article assumes you know how to create an assignment in your Blackboard course. If you do not know how to create an assignment please see this article - https://support.atu.edu/support/solutions/articles/7000018683-how-do-i-create-blackboard-assignments-
Blackboard assignments have the option to specify how the students submit the assignment. Faculty can choose from text entry, file submission, or both.
The option is on the assignment creation menu:
Click that link and it opens the regular settings panel and you see the options:
Both are turned on by default, giving the students the option of submitting their file or typing up an answer in the submission box in Blackboard. If you only want file submissions then deselect "Text entry", or vice versa if you only want text entries.
And just a note, you are not able to specify which type of file you allow for submission.... yet. This is coming down the road where you can set it to only allow PowerPoint files or only allow Word documents. This will be a nice addition for some instructors, but it is not ready yet. Just giving you a little taste of something to come.