How Do I Create A Custom Link in My Course Navigation Using the Redirect Tool?
The following instructions help you set up a link within your course navigation bar for external resources not already included in the native navigation.
Creating a Custom Link
- Click on “Settings” from the course navigation.
- Click on the "Apps" tab across the top.
- Search for "Redirect" in the search bar provided.
- Click on the “Redirect Tool" that appears once the filter is applied.

- Click the “+ Add App” button that appears

- Enter the “Name” for the link. This is the word/phrase that will appear in the course navigation.
- Enter the URL for the site. You must keep the "https://" prefix. (If you leave off the "s" in "https://", your website will open in a new tab/window regardless of the other settings you select.)
- Adjust the settings as needed:
- (Optional) Force open in new tab (For External Links Only) – If you select this setting, when a user clicks on the link, the page will open in a new tab in their browser. Leave unchecked if you would like the site to open within the Canvas interface.
- Show in Course Navigation – This puts your link within the course navigation bar.
- Click the “Add App” button

- The link now appears in the course navigation at the bottom. You can go into your navigation settings to rearrange it.

Editing a Custom Link
When you copy a course with an existing custom link, you may need to update that link to the most recent version. To update the link, go to the app configuration:
- Click on “Settings” from the course navigation.
- Click on the "Apps" tab across the top.
- Click on "View App Configurations" at the top right.

- Scroll down to the custom link you want to edit, click on the gear icon to the right, and select "Edit".

- In the "Custom Fields" text entry box, update only the URL portion.
- Click "Submit" and the custom link will be updated.

For more help, please contact canvas@yale.edu.