Linking to Files in Canvas

Linking to files is a common thing we do when designing learning spaces in Canvas. In the old model, we are used to seeing the content pane at the right of the editor, where we can choose the files tab, upload a file directly and have it linked in the page. In order to make course file management a bit cleaner, Canvas has modified this process.

Here are the steps to link to a course file using the new editor toolbar (you can accomplish the same thing using the menubar under Insert > Document. 

1. If you want the file in a particular folder in the course files area, first load the file into the course files area using the Canvas guide to adding files as your guide.
2. Type the text in the editor that you want to use for the link to the file. Using a more readable link text than the file name is good accessibility practice. 
3. Select the text that you want to use for the link to the file.
4. Click the Document icon in the toolbar.

Upload Document

For a new file that does not yet exist in the course files area, here are the steps:

1. Choose Upload Document
2. Drag and drop file into files area or click in the upload area to browse for file on your computer and select it
3. Click Submit.
4. In the editor, put your cursor anywhere in the link you created and a Link Options context menu will appear below the link.
5. Click on Link Options to change the text displayed for the link or to enable auto inline preview for the document. 
6. Click Save to save your page or post. 

Course Documents

For a file that already exists in your course files area:

1. Choose Course Documents
2. The files content pane will appear at the right
3. Use the search and filtering options or just browse for your file and click on it in the list
4. This will link your selected text in the editor to the file you have selected
5. In the editor, put your cursor anywhere in the link you created and a Link Options context menu will appear below the link.
6. Click on Link Options to change the text displayed for the link or to enable auto inline preview for the document. 
7. Click Save to save your page or post.