Files
As a student, Files allows you to store files and assignments within Canvas. You can upload one or multiple files, view all details about your files, and preview files. Files is built with responsive design to adjust for browser scaling. The folder navigation window, file displays, and even file names adjust to the width of the browser window.
You may have access to files (documents, images, media, etc.) in three different feature areas:
- User files, located in your user account
- Course files, located in each course where you are enrolled (if your instructor allows you to view Course Files)
- Group files, located in each group where you are a member
View Files
The basic functionality within Files is the same within each files location, but some features may differ according to feature area.
The left panel [1] shows all folders for quick navigation. Some folders may be housed within other folders. To expand all folders, click the arrows next to the folder name.
When you click the name of a folder, all contents within the folder you are viewing display in the right panel [2]. You can also click folder names in the right panel to view folder content.
For each file, you can view the name of the file [1], the date the file was created [2], the date the file was modified [3] the name of the person who modified the file (if modified by another user) [4], and the size of the file [5].
You can also view the published status [6] for your user files.
Files are sorted alphabetically. To sort files, click the name of any column heading.
Manage Files
Depending on the file area, files may contain several options to manage files:
Search for files [1]. Files is fully searchable by file name.
Add a folder [2]. Add a new folder to Files to store files. Folders can also house other folders.
Upload a file [3]. Upload a file to Files.
Change the state of the file [4]. Files can be published, unpublished, or include a restricted status.
Manage Selected Files
To select a file, click the name of the file. You can also select multiple files at the same time by holding the command (Mac) or control (PC) key.
When a file is selected, Files displays the file toolbar at the top of the window. Depending on the files area, the toolbar may contain several options to manage the selected file(s):
- Preview the file [1]
- Restrict access to the file [2]
- Download the file [3] (when selecting more than one file, option appears to download as a zip file)
- Move the file [4]
- Delete the file [5]
You can also manage some or all options for a selected file within the file's Options menu [6].
View Usage Rights
Course Files and Group Files may display a column for usage rights. If enabled, the column displays the usage right (copyright) for the file [1]. Files that do not contain a usage right display as a warning icon [2].
To change the usage right for a file in Group Files, click on the usage right icon for that file [3].
In Global Navigation, click the Account link, then click the Files link.
View User Files
All your user folders display in the left panel [1]. View files in the right panel by clicking the name of a folder.
You can view your user quota and what percentage of that quota has been used [2]. Files that have been submitted as assignments and graded discussions do not apply to the user quota.
Learn more about how to use files as a student.
View My Files
The My Files folder creates folders based on default events in Canvas. Once you upload a file related to one of these areas, the folder and accompanying file will be created for you.
- The Conversation attachments folder [1] stores files that you attach to Conversations messages.
- The Data Exports folder [2] contains ZIP files created when you download assignment submissions from all your courses.
- If your institution enables you to upload a profile picture, the Profile pictures folder [3] stores photos that you upload as a profile picture.
- The Submissions folder [4] contains copies of your assignment submissions; assignment are organized by course folder and displayed alphabetically. However, assignments submitted through an external tool are not copied to the Submissions folder.
- The Unfiled folder [5] stores files that you attach to discussion topics or discussion replies (if attachments are allowed by your instructor).
My Files also includes any additional folders you create to organize your files, as well as any files not uploaded to a specific folder. Any files in the My Files folder that are not related to assignment submissions count toward your user quota.
Note: For online assignment submissions, if you submit a file that you've previously uploaded, you can delete the previously uploaded file after it has been submitted and free up extra storage in your user files.
View Course and Group Files
If your instructors allow you to view the Files link in Course Navigation, course folders display below your user files [1]. Any course groups also display below the course folders [2].
You can easily move and organize files from your group files and user files. Unless you have permission to manage course files, course files can only be viewed and downloaded.
You can also view course files and group files directly from the course or group.
In Course Navigation, click the Files link.
View Course Files
All published course files can be viewed by all course users [1]. However, some files may restrict access to specific users.
You can preview and download all published files in Course Files.
If you want to see the files for all your courses, click the All My Files link [2].
View Files for All Courses
Canvas displays your User Files page with all available course folders displayed below your user files.
Click the Groups link [1], then click the name of the group [2].
Open Files
In Group Navigation, click the Files link.
View Group Files
All your group folders display in the left panel [1]. View files in the right panel by clicking the name of a folder.
You can view your group quota and what percentage of that quota has been used [2]. Files that have been submitted as group assignments and group graded discussions do not apply to the user quota.
If you want to see the Files for all your courses and/or groups, click the All My Files link [3]. Canvas will refresh the page to show your user files page with all courses and group folders.
The Groups folder creates folders based on default events in Canvas. Once you upload a file related to one of these areas, the folder and accompanying file will be created for you.
- The Submissions folder [1] contains copies of your assignment submissions; assignments are organized by course folder and displayed alphabetically.
- The Unfiled folder [2] stores files that you attach to discussion topics or discussion replies (if attachments are allowed by your instructor).
Group files also includes any additional folders you create to organize your files, as well as any files not uploaded to a specific folder. Any files in the group folder that are not related to assignment submissions count toward your user quota.
All files can be viewed by all group members. Please note that all group members hold the same permissions, so one group member can delete or move files uploaded by another group member. Group files are published by default.
Note: For group assignment submissions, if you submit a file that has previously been uploaded to the group, you can delete the previously uploaded file after it has been submitted and free up extra storage in your group files. However, to submit a previously uploaded file in group files, the file must be moved to the user files folder for the student submitting the assignment on behalf of the group, as the assignment submissions page can only access user files and not group files.
Move File via Move Button or Options Icon
In user or group files, locate the file you want to move. Click the line item for the file [1].
To move the file via the toolbar, click the Move button [2].
To move the file via file settings, click the Options icon [3], then click the Move link [4].
Select the folder where you want to move the file [1] and click the Move button [2].
Move File via Drag and Drop
You can also manage your files using a basic click-and-drag method. Click the file name and drag the file to the desired folder. Once you see the folder highlighted, release your mouse. The file has been moved.
You can also move a file from the right pane to the left pane.
Note: You can only move a file within the right pane or from the right pane to the left pane. Files are organized in alphabetical order. While you can still move files into folders, you cannot rearrange the alphabetized structure of the files and folders.
Move Multiple Files
To select multiple files, press the command key (Mac) or the control key (Windows) while clicking the line for each file you want to select.
To select all files, click the command + A keys (Mac) or the control + A keys (Windows).
To select a range of files click the first file you want to select, hold down the Shift key, and then click the last file you want to select. All files between the first and the last file will be selected.
Note: You can also use the same key command to deselect a file.
Upload Files
In user or group files, click the Upload button.
Select Files
Select the files you want to upload to your user or group files [1].
To select a group of files, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click the first and last files in the group.
To select multiple files, hold down the Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) key on your keyboard and click each file.
Click the Open button [2].
Drag and Drop Multiple Files
You can also drag and drop multiple files to upload to your user or group files. Select multiple files and drag them to the files pane to upload them.
Replace Duplicate File
If a file with the same name already exists in the folder where you are uploading your file, you will be asked if you want to skip, replace, or rename it.
To skip the file, click the Skip button [1].
To rename the file, click Change Name button [2]. This option will create a duplicate copy of the file with a different name.
To replace the file, click the Replace button [3].
View Upload Progress
A progress bar displays to show the progress of each file upload.
View Files
View your uploaded files.
Upload Files
Click the Upload button.
Open File
Click the title of the file you want to import [1] and click the Open button [2].
Choose ZIP Option
If you want to expand all the contents of the ZIP file, click the Expand It button [1]. If you want to upload the ZIP file intact, click the Upload It button [2].
View Progression
You can track the progression of the upload by monitoring the progress bar.
View Files
Your files will be uploaded to your personal or groups file storage area.
Supported Image Formats
Canvas will accept the following image files:
- BMP - Windows Bitmap
- GIF - Graphics Interchange Format
- JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group
- PNG - Portable Network Graphics
- SVG - Scalable Vector Graphics
- TIFF - Adobe Systems
Note: While TIFF files can be uploaded to file storage, they will not display within any area of Canvas.
Supported Video Formats
The Canvas media player supports H.264 video playback. Canvas will accept the following video files for playback:
- FLV – Flash Video
- ASF – Windows Media
- QT – Apple QuickTime
- MOV – Apple QuickTime
- MPG – Digital Video Format
- MPEG – Digital Video Format
- AVI – Digital Video Format
- M4V – Digital Video Format
- WMV – Windows Media
- MP4 – Digital Video Format
- 3GP – Multimedia Mobile Format
For tips about media compressions and playback quality, view Vimeo's Video Compression Guidelines.
Supported Audio Formats
Canvas will accept the following audio files for playback:
- MP3 – Digital Audio Format
- WMA – Windows media audio
- MWV – Windows Media
Open Google Drive
In Course Navigation, click the Google Drive link.
Log in to Google Drive
You may be asked to authenticate your account. Click the Authorize button.
In an external window, enter your Google App email and password.
Note: If you are unable to authenticate, please see the troubleshooting information in the description of this lesson.
View Google Drive
View the files and folders in your Google Drive folder.
Google Drive displays the name of each folder [1]. You can view the contents of each folder by clicking the folder name.
For individual files, you can view the file name [2] and the date it was modified [3].
To view the linked Google Drive email or to sign out of your Google account, click the Account button [4].
Search for Files
To search for a file, enter the name of the file and click the Enter (Return) key on your keyboard.
View Search Results
Google Drive returns file results related to your search.
Open File
To open a file, click the name of the file [1]. At the bottom of the window, click the Open button [2].
View File
In a new browser window, view the file in your Google account.