Canvas Guides (English)Canvas GuidesCanvas Student GuideRich Content EditorHow do I upload a document in the Rich Content Editor as a student?

How do I upload a document in the Rich Content Editor as a student?

You can upload files from your computer to link in the Rich Content Editor.

Several features in Canvas support the Rich Content Editor, including Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, and Quizzes.

By default, embedded document links display an icon that allows users to preview the document in the Rich Content Editor. You can disable the in-line preview or open the in-line preview automatically.

Open Rich Content Editor

Open Rich Content Editor

Open the Rich Content Editor when using one of the Canvas features which support the Editor.

Note: The Rich Content Editor supports keyboard shortcuts. To view the Keyboard Shortcuts menu, click the Keyboard icon or press ALT+F8 (PC keyboard) or Option+F8 (Mac keyboard).

Upload Document by Drag and Drop

Upload Document by Drag and Drop

You can upload and embed a document by dragging and dropping the file saved to your computer.

Note: You can upload and embed multiple documents by dragging and dropping the files saved to your computer.

Upload Document by Copy and Paste

Upload Document by Copy and Paste

You can upload and embed a document by copying and pasting a file saved to your computer. To copy a file to your clipboard, open the file location. Right-click the file and select Copy or click the file and use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+C on a PC or Command+C on a Mac.  You can paste the file by right-clicking into the Rich Text Editor and selecting Paste or using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+V on a PC or Command+V on a Mac.

Upload Document from Toolbar

Upload Document from Toolbar

To upload a document from the toolbar, click the Document icon [1]. From the dropdown menu, select the Upload Document option [2].

To view the Document icon, you may have to click the Options icon [3].

Upload Document from Menubar

Upload Document from Menubar

Click the Insert link [1]. Navigate to view the Document options [2], and select the Upload Document option [3].

Upload File

Upload Document from Computer

Click to browse your files [1] or drag and drop a media file to the media uploader [2] to upload a file from your computer.  

Select File

Select File

Select the document file [1] and click the Open button [2].

View Selected File

View Selected File

The uploader displays the document file name [1]. To remove the file, click the Delete icon [3].

Manage Usage Rights

Manage Usage Rights

If required by your institution, you will need to select usage right settings for your document.

In the Usage Right drop-down menu [1], select one of the five usage right options:

  • I hold the copyright: original content created by you
  • I have obtained permission to use the file: authorized permission by the author
  • The material is in the public domain: explicitly assigned to public domain, cannot be copyrighted, or is no longer protected by copyright
  • The material is subject to an exception - e.g. fair use, the right to quote, or others under applicable copyright laws: excerpt or summary used for commentary, news reporting, research, or analysis in education
  • The material is licensed under Creative Commons: this option also requires setting a specific Creative Commons license

If known, enter the copyright holder information in the Copyright Holder field [2].

Note: If you are an instructor and are not sure which usage right applies to your document, please consult your institutional admin for guidance.

Submit Upload

Submit Upload

To upload your selected document, click the Submit button.

Note: The file will flash before it embeds in the Rich Content Editor.

View Document Link

View a link to your uploaded file in the Rich Content Editor [1].

To manage options for the link, click the link title and click the Link Options link [2].

View Link Options

You can edit the link text in the Text field [1] or link URL in the Link field [2].

To disable users from seeing a file preview, select Disable Preview option [3].

You can choose to display a file preview in a pop-up window or in-line preview when the link is clicked. You can also choose to expand an in-line preview by default.  

To allow users to view a file preview in a pop-up window when the link is clicked, select the Preview in overlay option [4].

To allow users to view an in-line preview when the link is clicked, click the Preview inline option [5]. To expand the in-line preview by default, click the Expand preview by Default checkbox [6].  

To save link options, click the Done button [7].

Notes:

  • Inline preview is not supported in the Canvas beta environment.
  • Inline preview does not display in Edit mode.

Save Changes

Save Changes

Click the Save button.

Note: When using the Rich Content Editor in Discussions, the Save button may appear as the Post Reply button.

View Content

View Content

View the content created in the Rich Content Editor.

To preview the file, click the file link [1].

To download the linked document, click the Download icon [2].