In Course Navigation, click the Files link.

The following icons may display next to files and folders to indicate their availability:

• Published [1]: file or folder is visible, published, and accessible to all users (default).
• Restricted Availability [2]: file or folder is visible to only those with a link to the file.
• Scheduled Availability [3]: file or folder is only available during certain dates and times.
• Unpublished [4]: file or folder is not visible.

To edit file visibility, click the file's visibility icon.

Note: If required by course or account settings, you may need to manage file usage rights before publishing [5].

To make a file available to only users with a link to the file, in the Available drop-down menu, select the Only available with link option [1].

When new files are uploaded, the file visibility matches the setting specified in Course Settings. However, you can click the Visibility drop-down menu [2] and select another visibility option. Options may include the following: Inherit from Course, Course Members, Institution Members, and Public.

To apply the changes, click the Save button [3].

Notes:

• For course files, the option to make a file only available with a link applies to a file only when it is accessed through Course Files; if you add the file to another area of Canvas, such as Assignments or Modules, all students can view the file.
• If a file is only available with a link, course users who have enabled the Files notification preference still receive a notification when the file is added to the course.

By scheduling availability of a file or folder, you can give users a window of time to view the file. Students can view the file in Course Files as well as other areas of Canvas where the file has been added during the availability window. If students attempt to access the file outside the availability window, the file is inaccessible.

To set availability dates, in the Available drop-down menu, select the Schedule availability option [1]. Then, set the availability by start date, end date, or date range [2].

In the Available from field, set the start date when users can view the file [3]. To specify when the file will be available, select a time from the Time drop-down menu [4].

If applicable, in the Until field, set the date when users can no longer view the file [5]. To specify when the file will no longer be visible, select a time from the Time drop-down menu [6].

You can select a date from the calendar, or you can enter a date manually.

To apply the changes, click the Save button [7].

Notes:

• If a file with scheduled availability is linked in another area of Canvas (such as Modules or Assignments), students will be able to see the name of the file, but if they click the file, they will see a message stating that the file has been locked and cannot be viewed until the specified date.
• Course users who have enabled the Files notification preference will not receive a notification when a file is added to a course if the student availability date restriction is selected. 
• The time fields are optional and default to 12 a.m. if left blank.

View the restricted status for the file. Hover over the Calendar icon to view the details.