The Rich Content Editor (RCE) is the default text box space in most items for a user to write and create content. The RCE is designed and laid out similar to other popular word processor toolbars, while still supporting and facilitating some unique Canvas specific functions.
This article will review how to upload and link files in Canvas content wherever the Rich Content Editor is available.
Table of Contents
This article will address the following information:
Linking to a Document Stored in Your Course Site's "Files" Area
- Place your cursor in the text box where you want your link or, if desired, highlight the words you want to be a clickable link.
- To get to the list of files, open the course documents (Files) list by either:
- Clicking on the "Insert" menu [1], selecting "Document" [2] and then "Course Documents" [3].
- OR
- Clicking on the arrow to the right of the Document Tool icon [4] in the toolbar and select "Course Documents" [5].
- A slider drawer will appear on the right side of the screen displaying the documents stored in your course site’s "Files" area. The publish status indicators [6] show you whether students will be able to view the file if you add the link.
- Green circles with a check mark indicate published files.
- Gray circles with a slash indicate unpublished files.
- Click on the appropriate file in the slider list [7] and the link to your file will be added to the Rich Text Editor text box.
- When you are returned main page, click "Save" or "Save and Publish" to finalize your changes.
You can use the filter options drop down menus [8] to search for files or filter your files by Type, Date Added or Alphabetical order.
Uploading a New File while Editing Content
Files that you upload through the Rich Content Editor will be stored in your course site's "Files" area under an auto-generated folder called "Uploaded Media." Check out the section on "Finding the Files Uploaded to Canvas via the Rich Content Editor" for details.
- Place your cursor in the text box where you want your link or, if desired, highlight the words you want to be a clickable link.
- To get to the upload screen, open the upload files area by either:
- Clicking on the "Insert" menu [1], selecting "Document" [2] and then "Upload Document" [3].
- OR
- Clicking on the arrow to the right of the Document Tool icon [4] in the toolbar and select "Upload Document" [5].
- The "Upload File" pop-up will appear. Drag and drop your file onto the Upload File area [6] or you can click on the Upload File area [6] and browse your computer from the window that opens to find the file.
You can only upload one file at a time through the Upload File popup.
- Once the file is selected it will display on the screen and you can either click the Delete icon [7] to remove it, or you can click the "Submit" button [8] to complete the upload and insert the link into the text box.
- When you are returned main page, click "Save" or "Save and Publish" to finalize your changes.
Finding the Files Uploaded to Canvas via the Rich Content Editor
When uploading files through the Rich Content Editor, your files will be uploaded to the "Files" area in your course to an automatically generated folder called "Uploaded Media."
After you have uploaded your first file through the New Rich Content Editor, go to the "Files" area [1] and you will see a new folder for "Uploaded Media" [2].
Notice that the folder has publish permissions set to "Only available to students with link" (eye with slash indicator) [3], which means that students who navigate directly to the Files area will not see the folder or its contents, but links to these files that instructors add via the Rich Content Editor will allow students to view the files.
The "Uploaded Media" folder will only appear in the Files area after you have uploaded your first file through the New Rich Content Editor.
To learn more about the Rich Content Editor:
If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].