Canvas Guides

How do I use Files?

The Files feature in Canvas allows you to store files and assignments within Canvas. You can upload one or multiple files, view all details about your files, preview files, publish and unpublish files, set usage rights, and restrict access to files.

Depending on your role, you have access to files (documents, images, media, etc.) in three different feature areas:

User files, located in your user profile
Course files, located in each course where you are enrolled
Group files, located in each group where you are a member

Note: Some files count against file quotas and affect the amount of available storage used by files.

00:07: How do I use files? 00:09: The basic functionality within files is the same within each files location, 00:13: but some features May differ according to feature area. 00:18: The left panel shows all folders for Quick Navigation. 00:20: Some folders may be housed within other folders to expand 00:25: all folders. Click the arrows next to the folder name. 00:29: When you click the name of a folder all contents within the folder you are viewing 00:33: display in the right panel. You can also click folder names in the right 00:37: panel to view folder content. 00:40: For each file you can view the name of the file the date the file was created 00:44: the date the file was modified the name of the person who modified the file 00:48: if Modified by another user and the size of the file. 00:53: Files are sorted alphabetically to sort files. 00:56: Click the name of any column heading. 00:59: You can also view the published status for your user files. 01:03: Depending on the file area files may contain several options to manage files. 01:09: Search for files files is fully searchable by file name. 01:13: Add a folder add a new folder to files to store files. 01:17: Folders can also house other folders. 01:20: Upload a file upload a file to files. 01:24: Change the state of the files can be published unpublished 01:28: or include a restricted status? 01:32: To select a file click the name of the file. 01:34: You can also select multiple files at the same time by holding the Command 01:38: MAC or control PC key. 01:43: When a file is selected files displays the file toolbar at the top of the 01:47: window. Depending on the files area. 01:49: The toolbar may contain several options to manage the selected files 01:54: preview the file restrict access to the file download 01:58: the file move the file or delete the file. 02:03: You can also manage some or all options for a selected file within the files options 02:07: menu. 02:09: Course files and group files May display a column for usage rights If 02:13: enabled the column displays the usage rate copyright for the file. 02:18: Files that do not contain a usage right display as a warning icon. 02:23: To change the usage rate for a file in group files. 02:25: Click on the usage right icon for that file. 02:30: This guide covered how to use files.

View All Files

The basic functionality within Files is the same within each location, but some features may differ according to feature area.

In the All My Files page, all folders for your own files and course files display [1]. Some folders may be housed within other folders.

To view the contents of a folder, click the folder name [2].

To switch to the old view, click the Switch to Old Files Page button [3].

View File Folder

Within a folder, you can view the name of each file or folder [1], the date it was created [2], the date it was modified [3], the name of the person who modified the file or folder [4], and the file size [5].

Courses and groups may display a column for usage rights. If enabled, the column displays the user right (copyright) for the file [6].

You can also view or change the published status of files or folders [7].

If you are viewing course or group files and you want to view all files you have access to, click the All My Files link [8].

To switch to the old view, click the Switch to Old Files Page button [9].

Files are sorted alphabetically. To sort files, click the name of any column heading.

Manage Files or Folders

Depending on the file area, there may be several options to manage files:

Search for files by file name [1].
Add a folder. Folders can also house other folders [2].
Upload a file [3].
Set usage rights (copyright) for a file [4]. For courses and groups using usage rights, you must set usage rights for a file before it can be published. Files that do not contain a usage right display as a warning icon.
Change the state of the file [5]. Files can be published, unpublished, or include a restricted status.

Manage Individual File or Folder

To manage an individual file or folder, click the File Options icon [1]. You can rename [2], download [3], move [4], or delete [5] the file or folder. You can also edit permissions [6] or manage usage rights [7].

Bulk Manage Files or Folders

You can select multiple files or folders at the same time by clicking the checkboxes next to the file or folder names [1]. Alternatively, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts:

To select all rows, press the Control+A (PC) or Command+A (Mac) keys simultaneously.
To select individual rows, press the Control+Click (PC) or Command+Click keys simultaneously.
To select a range of rows, press Shift+Click simultaneously.
To deselect all, press the Control+Shift+A (PC) or Command+Shift+A (Mac) keys simultaneously.

From the toolbar, you can download [2] or delete [3] the files or folders. To view more settings, click the Options icon [4].

You can bulk edit the permissions [5] or manage the usage rights [6] of the files or folders you selected.

To move the files or folders, select the Move To... option [7].

Note: When selecting more than one file, the option appears to download as a zip file.

View Blueprint Course

If you are an instructor and your course includes Blueprint icons, your course is associated with a blueprint course. Blueprint Courses are courses managed as a template and may contain locked objects managed by a Canvas admin, course designer, or other instructor.

The Course Details tab in Course Settings will tell you if your course is a blueprint course. Most commonly, your course will not be a blueprint course and you can only manage unlocked content in your course. If your course is a blueprint course, you can lock and sync course content to associated courses.