Rich Content Editor

When creating or editing an announcement, assignment, discussion, or page, the Rich Content Editor opens by default.

You can add and format content using the menubar [1] or toolbar [2].

Type or paste copied text into the Rich Content Editor.

Select the text you wish to modify [1]. Then click the Font Size drop-down menu [2], and select the font size you want to use [3]. You can choose from 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 24, or 36pt sized fonts.

Select the text you wish to modify [1]. Then click the Paragraph drop-down menu [2], and select the text style you want to use [3]. Choose from Heading 2, Heading 3, Heading 4, Preformatted, and Paragraph styles.

Note: By default, the primary heading for the announcement, assignment, discussion, page, or quiz is the same as the title or name you enter when creating the item.

To create single spacing in the Rich Content Editor, press Shift+Enter (on a PC keyboard) or Shift+Return (on a Mac keyboard). This creates a line break instead of a paragraph break.

Select the text you wish to format [1].

To bold the selected text, click the Bold icon [2], or press Command+B (Mac keyboard) or Ctrl+B (PC keyboard).

To italicize the selected text, click the Italic icon [3], or press Command+I (Mac keyboard) or Ctrl+I (PC keyboard).

To underline the selected text, click the Underline icon [4], or press Command+U (Mac keyboard) or Ctrl+U (PC keyboard).

When selected text is formatted, an arrow displays above the selected option [5].

Select the text you wish to color [1].

To change the color of the text, click the Text Color icon [2].

To highlight the text, click the Background Color icon [3]

Select a color from the color drop-down menu [4]. You can view the color name by hovering your mouse over the color tile [5].

To remove color formatting, click the Remove Color icon [6].

To select a custom color for the text, click the Custom Color icon [7].

You can format your text to appear as superscript or subscript. Select the text you wish to modify [1].

To format your text as superscript, click the Superscript icon [2].

To format your text as subscript, click the Script Arrow icon [3] and select the Subscript option [4].

To align text, place the cursor in front of the text you wish to align [1], then click the Alignment icon [2]. From the drop-down menu you can select to align the text to the Left [3], Center [4], and Right [5].

Note: To view the Alignment icon, you may have to click the Options icon [6].

Select the text you wish to include in your list [1], then click the List icon [2]. You can select a bulleted list style [3], or a numeric or alphabetic list style [4].

Note: To view the List icon, you may have to click the Options icon [5].

If you reload or navigate away from a page while editing content in the Rich Content Editor, Canvas automatically saves your content in the browser cache for up to one day. When you reload the page or navigate back to the page you were editing, Canvas displays a message indicating that auto-saved content exists. You can preview the content, discard the content, or load the content into the Rich Content Editor.

Notes:

• Auto-saved content is not a guaranteed feature and may not save content in certain situations.
• The amount of local storage available may vary depending on which browser you use.
• Auto-saved content is only available on pages that only include one Rich Content Editor window.
• Auto-saved content is only available in the same browser and computer you were using when you created the original content.

To load the auto-saved content into the Rich Content Editor, click the Yes button [1]. To discard the auto-saved changes, click the No button [2].

Click the Save button.

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

View the content created in the Rich Content Editor.

View Menubar

The menubar will display above the Rich Content Editor [1]. The menubar includes the same tools as found in the toolbar [2], but in a format that is easier to navigate with a keyboard.

To view a window with a list of keyboard navigation shortcuts, click the Keyboard icon [3] or press Alt+F8 (on a PC keyboard) or Option+Fn+F8 (on a Mac keyboard) simultaneously on your keyboard.

View Edit Menu

To view the Edit menu, click the Edit link [1]. From the Edit menu, you can undo content changes [2], redo content changes [3], cut [4], copy [5], paste [6], paste as text [7], and select all content [8]. You can also view the keyboard shortcuts for each edit option [9].

View View Menu

To view the View menu, click the View link [1]. From the View menu, you can expand the editor content area to the width of your browser [2] and open the HTML editor [3].

Note: Fullscreen is not supported for the HTML editor

View Insert Menu

To open the Insert menu, click the Insert link [1]. To insert a link, click the Link option [2]. You can link to an external URL or course content.

To insert an image, click the Image option [3]. You can upload a new image or insert an image from your course or user files.

To insert media, click the Media option [4]. You can record media, upload media, or insert media from your course or user files.

To insert a document, click the Document option [5]. You can upload a document or insert a document from your course or user files.

To insert a math equation, click the Equation option [6].

To insert a table, click the Table option [7].

To embed content using an embed code, click the Embed option [8].

To insert a horizontal line, click the Horizontal Line option [9].

View Format Menu

To open the Format menu, click the Format link [1]. You can select several formatting options [2], including bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, superscript, subscript, and code.

To open the Formats menu, click the Formats option [3]. The Formats menu includes options for headings, inline text, blocks, and alignment.

To view and manage blocks, click the Blocks option [4].

To select a font, click the Fonts option [5].

To change the font size, click the Font sizes option [6].

To  manage text alignment, click the Align option [7].

To change the direction of the text, click the Directionality option [8]. You can format text from left to right and from right to left.

To select a text color, click the Text color option [9].

To select a background color, click the Background color option [10].

To clear formatting, click the Clear formatting link [11].

View Tools Menu

To open the Tools menu, click the Tools link [1].

To view word count statistics, click the Word count option [2].

To embed content from an external tool, click the Apps option [3].

View Table Menu

To view the Table menu, click the Table link [1].

To add a new table, click the Table option [2].

To format the table rows, click the Row option [3]. To format the table columns, click the Column option [4]. To format the table cells, click the Cell option [5].

To view table properties, click the Table properties link [6]. To delete the table, click the Delete table option [7].

 

Resize Window

To resize the window manually, click and hold the Resize icon [1]. Then drag the Rich Content Editor window to the desired size [2].

View in Fullscreen

To expand the Rich Content Editor to fullscreen view, click the Fullscreen icon [1]. You can also click the View menu [2] and select the Fullscreen option [3].

Exit Fullscreen

To exit fullscreen view, click the View menu [1] and select the Fullscreen option [2]. You can also exit fullscreen by pressing the Esc key on your keyboard.

 

Open Table Editor

To use the table editor, click the Table icon

Insert Table

To expand the table creator, hover over the Table option in the drop-down menu [1]. Then, to specify the table dimensions, drag your cursor over the grid [2].

Note: The largest table you can create using the table creator is 10x10. However, additional columns and rows can be added manually.

View Table Layout Tools

When you click on the table in the Rich Content Editor, the Table Context Menu displays [1].

You can edit the table properties [2], delete the table [3], add or delete rows [4], and add or delete columns [5].

Open Table Properties

In the Table Context Menu, click the Table Properties icon [1].

You can also click the toolbar Table icon [2], and select the Table Properties option [3].

Edit General Table Properties

By default, the table properties editor displays the General tab [1]. Type in the appropriate fields to edit these general table properties.

• Width and Height [2]: enter the width and height of your table (in pixels or percent, e.g. 500px, 50%).
• Cell Spacing [3]: enter the space between individual cells as well as cells and table borders (in pixels, e.g. 3px). 
• Cell Padding [4]: enter the space between the cell border and its content (in pixels, e.g. 5px).   
• Border [5]: enter the thickness of the table border (in pixels, e.g. 5px).
• Caption [6]: select to display a caption above the table.  
• Alignment [7]: select the alignment of your table in the Rich Content Editor.

To apply edits, click the Save button [8].

Manually Edit Table Size

You can also manually adjust the width and height of your table in the Rich Content Editor.

When you click the table, adjustment handles appear in each corner [1]. Click and drag the handles to adjust the size [2].

Edit Advanced Table Properties

To view additional customization options, click the Advanced tab.

Edit Border Style

To edit the border line style, click the Border Style drop-down menu [1].

Select a border line style from the displayed options [2]. For your table to display without lines, select the None option [3]. You can also select to hide table lines [4].

To apply the border style, click the Save button [5].

Edit Border and Background Colors

You can edit the table colors using the Border Color [1] and Background Color [2] options.

Enter a color name or HEX code (in #nnnnnn format) in the color field [3].

You can also click the Color Swatch button [4] and select a color from the color drop-down menu [5]. View the color name by hovering your mouse over the color tile [6]. To remove color formatting, click the Remove Color icon [7]. To select a custom color, click the Custom Color icon [8].

To apply the colors, click the Save button [9].

View Cell Format Options

With one or more cells selected within the table, click the Table icon [1], then hover over the Cell option [2].

To edit the cell properties, click the Cell properties option [3].

To merge cells, click the Merge cells option [4].

To split merged cells, click the Split cell option [5].

Edit General Cell Properties

By default, the Cell properties editor displays the General tab [1]. You can edit the following general cell properties:

• Width and Height [2]: adjust the width and height of your cell or cells (in pixels or percent, e.g. 500px, 50%).
• Cell Type [3]: select from header cell or general cell options.
• Scope [4]: select whether the cell or cells is a header for a column, row, or group of columns or rows.
• H Align [5]: select the horizontal alignment for text in the cell or cells
• V Align [6]: select the vertical alignment for text in the cell or cells

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

Edit Advanced Cell Properties

To view additional customization options, click the Advanced tab [1]. Edit cells using the following options:

• Border style [2]: select a border line style, or hide or remove cell border lines.
• Border color [3]: enter a color name or HEX code (in #nnnnnn format), or use the Color swatch to select a border color for the cell or cells.
• Background color [4]: enter a color name or HEX code (in #nnnnnn format), or use the Color swatch to select a cell background color.

To apply edits, click the Save button [5].

 

Edit Row Options

With the table selected or with a specific row selected, use the Table Context Menu row options to add or remove a row [1].

To view more row options, click the Table icon [2], then hover over the Row option [3]. Edit rows by clicking the appropriate option.

• Insert row [4]: select to enter a row before (above) or after (below) the selected row
• Delete row [5]: delete the row and its content
• Row properties [6]: view options for row type, alignment, height, and colors.
• Cut row [7]: cut the row and place it in the clipboard, ready to be pasted.
• Copy row [8]: copy the row and place it in the clipboard, ready to be pasted.
• Paste row [9]: After cutting or copying a row, select to enter the row before (above) or after (below) the selected row.

Edit Column Options

With the table selected or with a specific column selected, use the Table Context Menu column options to add or remove a column [1].

Alternatively, you can click the Table icon [2], then hover over the Column option [3]. Edit columns by clicking the appropriate option.

• Insert column [4]: select to enter a column before (left) or after (right) the selected column
• Delete column [5]: delete the column and its content

Delete Table

With the table selected, click the Table Context Menu Delete icon [1]. You can also click the toolbar Table icon [2], and then click the Delete table option [3].

 

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.

 

Open HTML Editor

Click the HTML Editor icon.

Note: When in HTML view, you can click the HTML Editor icon to return to the Rich Content Editor.

Edit HTML Content

The HTML editor displays the pretty HTML editor by default. The pretty HTML editor displays line numbers and syntax highlighting.

Enter content in the HTML editor or edit existing content using HTML.

View Raw HTML Editor

To switch to the Raw HTML Editor and edit your HTML in plain text, click the Raw HTML Editor link.

Edit Raw HTML

Edit your HTML in plain text without line numbers or syntax highlighting. To switch back to the Pretty HTML Editor, click the Pretty HTML Editor link.

Click the Save button.

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

Create Hyperlink from Toolbar

To insert a link from the toolbar, click the Link icon [1].

You can also insert an external link from the link options menu. To view additional link options, click the Link Options arrow [2]. Then select the External Links option [3].

Note: To view the Link icon, you may have to click the Options icon [4].

Create Hyperlink from Menubar

Click the Insert link [1]. Navigate to view the Link options [2], and select the External Links option [3].

Insert Link

Enter the text for your hyperlink in the Text field [1].

Paste or type the URL for your hyperlink in the Link field [2].

Click the Done button [2].

Notes:

• The text will flash before turning into the hyperlink.
• When clicked, external hyperlinks automatically open in a new browser tab.

 

View Hyperlink

View the hyperlink in the Rich Content Editor.

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 the hyperlink in your content.

Note: When clicked, external hyperlinks automatically open in a new browser tab.

 

You can use the Rich Content Editor to insert hyperlinks to document, image, and media files stored in your user files and group files

Select Link Location

To insert a hyperlink to a user or group content item, select the text for your hyperlink [1].

If you want to insert a link to a document and display the name of the file, click to place your cursor in the location in the Rich Content Editor where you want the link to appear [2]. This method only applies when inserting a user or group document and will not work for images or multimedia files.

Open User Links

To link to an image, media, or document in your User Files, click either the Images icon [1], Record/Upload Media icon [2], or the Documents icon [3] and select the User option for the desired file type [4]. The option name will display as User Images, User Media, or User Documents.

Note: To view these icons, you may have to click the Options icon [5].

Open Group Links

If creating a link within a group, you can link to group files by clicking the Link Options arrow [1] and selecting the Group Links option [2].

Notes:

• If creating a link within a group, you can link to group file types. The option name displays as Group Images, Group Media, or Group Documents [3].
• To view the Links icon, you may have to click the Options icon [4].

Open Insert Menu

In the menubar, click the Insert link [1]. You can navigate to view the Link, Image, Media, and Document options [2].

View and Sort Files

By default, the Add menu displays all files in your selected file source [1].

To sort the displayed files by image, document, or media file type, click the Type drop-down menu [2].

To sort the displayed files by date added, date published, or alphabetically, click the Sort by drop-down menu [3].

To search for a file, enter the file name in the Search field [4]. You must enter at least three characters for search results to display.

Select File

Click the name of the file you want to link in the Rich Content Editor.

Note: The text will flash before turning into a hyperlink.

Click the Save button.

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

How do I upload and embed an image in the Rich Content Editor as a student? 

 

You can embed images in the Rich Content Editor. Image files can be uploaded from your computer, selected from Unsplash, or added using a URL. You can also embed images from your course and user files.

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

 

Upload Images from Toolbar

To upload an image from the toolbar, click the Image icon [1].

You can also upload an image from the image options menu. To view additional image options, click the Image Options arrow [2]. Then select the Upload Image option [3].

Note: To view the Image icon, you may have to click the Options icon [4].

Upload Images from Menubar

Alternatively, you can embed images from the menubar. Click the Insert link [1]. Navigate to view the Image options [2], then select the Upload Image option [3].

Upload Image from Computer

By default, the Image Upload Tool displays the Computer tab [1]. Click or drag and drop an image file to the image uploader to upload a file from your computer [2].

Note: Images uploaded from your computer using the image upload tool within a group are added to your group files.

Select File

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

View Selected File

The uploader displays the image file name [1] and an image preview [2]. To remove the image, click the Delete icon [3].

 

Manage Image Attributes

To add Alt Text to your image, type an alternative text description or text tags in the Alt Text field [1]. By default, the Alt Text field displays the image file name. Alt text is read by screen readers, and it displays when an embedded image cannot display.

If the image is decorative and does not require alt text, click the Decorative Image checkbox [2].

By default, the Embed Image display option is selected for embedded images [3].

To display the image file link, select the Display Text Link display option [4]. The file link will replace the image in the Rich Content Editor.

Embed Image Upload

To embed your selected image, click the Submit button.

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

View Embedded Image

View your uploaded image in the Rich Content Editor. You can also add alt text tags and manage the image display options.

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.

  

You can easily create and upload caption files when you add video content in the Rich Content Editor. The Rich Content Editor is used in features that support the editor (Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, and Quizzes).

This lesson only applies to creating captions for videos created in or uploaded into Canvas. If you've created a video outside of Canvas that you want to share in your course, you can create captions using an external captioning tool such as Amara or YouTube.

Add Media from Toolbar

To upload media from the toolbar, click the Media icon [1].

You can also upload media from the media options menu. To view additional media options, click the Media Options arrow [2]. Then select the Upload/Record Media option [3].

To view the Media icon, you may have to click the Options icon [4].

Note: If the Media icon does not display in the toolbar, media uploads have been disabled by your institution.

Add Media From Menubar

To add media from the menubar, click the Insert link [1]. Navigate to view Media options [2], and select the Record/Upload Media option [3].

Upload Media

You can upload a media file in the Computer tab.

Add Captions

Click the Add CC/Subtitles checkbox.

Select Language and File

To specify the language for your captions, click the Select Language drop-down [1].

To attach your caption file, click the Choose caption file button [2]. You can upload SRT or VTT files.

 

Open File

Select the file you wish to upload [1], then click the Open button [2].

Submit Video

View your media file [1] and your caption file [2]. To attach additional caption files, click the Add button [3].

When finished adding media and caption files, click the Submit button [4].

View Media with Captions

When you add captions to a media file, the file displays a CC icon.

 

How do I record media using the Rich Content Editor as a student? 

 

 

You can use the Rich Content Editor to record video and audio media. You can record media for any length of time, but shorter media recordings are recommended. If your media is longer than 15 minutes, you may want to consider recording and uploading using an external provider. Longer media recordings require more time to render and may be interrupted without a stable internet connection.

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

Notes: 

• The Safari browser does not support recording media. Please use Chrome or Firefox to record media from the Rich Content Editor.
• Media recorded in the Rich Content Editor is saved in the Uploaded Media folder in your User Files or Group Files, depending on where it is recorded. If media is recorded for an assignment submission, the media file is stored in your User Files.

Record Media from Toolbar

To upload media from the toolbar, click the Media icon [1].

You can also upload media from the media options menu. To view additional media options, click the Media Options arrow [2]. Then select the Upload/Record Media option [3].

To view the Media icon, you may have to click the Options icon [4].

Note: If the Media icon does not display in the toolbar, media uploads have been disabled by your institution.

Record Media from Menubar

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

Open Media Recording Tool

Click the Record tab.

Select Mic and Webcam Options

The media recorder connects to your computer's default microphone and web cam.

To change your microphone settings, click the Mic button [1]. Then select from the displayed options [2].

To change your webcam settings, click the Webcam button [3]. To disable video recording, select the No Video option [4].

Record Media

Click the Start Recording button.

Finish Media Recording

The media recorder displays the length of your current recording [1].

To restart your recording, click the Start Over button [2].

To finish your recording, click the Finish button [3].

Preview Recorded Media

Preview your recorded media in the media recorder [1].

To title your media, type in the Title field [2].

To embed your media in the Rich Content Editor, click the Save button [3].

View Embedded Media

View your uploaded media file in the Rich Content Editor.

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.