How do I upload a document in the Rich Content Editor?

You can upload files from your computer to link in the Rich Content Editor.

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

By default, embedded document links display an icon that allows users to preview the document in the Rich Content Editor. You can disable the in-line preview or open the in-line preview automatically.

Notes for Instructors:

  • If you are using Usage Rights, you must set the file usage rights before the file will be accessible to students.
  • When a document is uploaded to the Rich Content Editor, the file is saved to the Uploaded Media folder in Course Files and defaults to the same visibility status as the folder.

00:07: How to upload a document in the rich content editor 00:11: Open the rich content editor when creating or editing an announcement assignment 00:15: discussion page quiz or syllabus. 00:20: To upload a document from the toolbar click the document icon. 00:24: Then select the upload document option. 00:27: You can also upload a document using the menu bar in the rich content editor. 00:31: The menu bar displays the title of Rich content editor tools and may be preferable 00:36: for those using keyboard navigation. To upload a document 00:40: using the menu bar click the insert menu select the document option 00:44: and select the upload document option. 00:48: You can upload an embedded document by dragging and dropping the file save to your computer. 00:54: You can upload an embedded document by copying and pasting a file save to 00:58: your computer. To copy a file to your clipboard open the file 01:02: location. Right, click the file and select copy or click 01:06: the file and use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + C on a PC or 01:10: command + C on a Mac. You can paste the file by right clicking 01:14: into the Rich Text Editor and selecting paste or using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl 01:18: + V on a PC or command + V on a Mac. 01:23: Click or drag and drop a media file to the media uploader to upload a file from 01:27: your computer. 01:29: The uploader displays the document file name to remove the file. 01:32: Click the delete icon. 01:35: To embed your selected document click the submit button. 01:39: View a link to your uploaded file in the rich content editor. 01:42: To manage options for the link click the link title and click the link options 01:47: link. 01:49: You can edit the link text in the text field or link URL in the Link Field. 01:55: To disabled users from seeing a file preview select disable preview 01:59: option. 02:01: You can choose to display a file preview in a pop-up window or inline preview 02:05: when the link is clicked. You can also choose to expand an inline preview 02:09: by default. To allow users to view a file preview in a pop-up 02:13: window when the link is clicked select the preview in overlay option. 02:19: To allow users to view an inline preview when the link is clicked. 02:22: Click the preview inline option. 02:25: To expand the inline preview by default. 02:27: Click the expand preview by default checkbox. 02:32: To save link options. Click the done button. 02:35: Click the reply or save button. 02:38: The guide covered how to upload a document in the rich content editor.

Open Rich Content Editor

Open the Rich Content Editor when using one of the Canvas features which support the Editor.

Note: The Rich Content Editor supports keyboard shortcuts. To view the Keyboard Shortcuts menu, click the Keyboard icon or press ALT+F8 (PC keyboard) or Option+F8 (Mac keyboard).

Upload Document by Drag and Drop

Upload Document by Drag and Drop

You can upload and embed a document by dragging and dropping the file saved to your computer.

Note: You can upload and embed multiple documents by dragging and dropping the files saved to your computer.

Upload Document by Copy and Paste

Upload Document by Copy and Paste

You can upload and embed a document by copying and pasting a file saved to your computer. To copy a file to your clipboard, open the file location. Right-click the file and select Copy or click the file and use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+C on a PC or Command+C on a Mac. You can paste the file by right-clicking into the Rich Text Editor and selecting Paste or using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+V on a PC or Command+V on a Mac.

Upload Document from Toolbar

Upload Document from Toolbar

To upload a document from the toolbar, click the Document icon [1]. From the drop-down menu, select the Upload Document option [2].

To view the Document icon, you may have to click the Options icon [3].

Upload Document from Menubar

Upload Document from Menubar

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

Upload File

Click to browse your files [1] or drag and drop a media file to the media uploader [2] to upload a file from your computer.  

Select File

Select File

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

View Selected File

The uploader displays the document file name [1]. To remove the file, click the Delete icon [3].

Manage Usage Rights

Manage Usage Rights

If required by your institution, you will need to select usage right settings for your document.

In the Usage Right drop-down menu [1], select one of the five usage right options:

  • I hold the copyright: original content created by you
  • I have obtained permission to use the file: authorized permission by the author
  • The material is in the public domain: explicitly assigned to public domain, cannot be copyrighted, or is no longer protected by copyright
  • The material is subject to an exception - e.g. fair use, the right to quote, or others under applicable copyright laws: excerpt or summary used for commentary, news reporting, research, or analysis in education
  • The material is licensed under Creative Commons: this option also requires setting a specific Creative Commons license

If known, enter the copyright holder information in the Copyright Holder field [2].

Note: If you are an instructor and are not sure which usage right applies to your document, please consult your institutional admin for guidance.

Submit Upload

Submit Upload

To upload your selected document, click the Submit button.

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

Save Changes

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.

View Content

View Content

View the content created in the Rich Content Editor.

To preview the file, click the file link [1].

To download the linked document, click the Download icon [2].