"Resource does not exist" only on iOS app?

[ChrisGage]

I upload PDFs to my files (not course files) and then link to them in several assignments. Students who are using the iOS app have sent me screenshots of an error message, "The specified resource does not exist," when they try to click the file link to download. However, if I send them the URL of the link, they can download it without issue.

Anyone else have this problem?

[Chris_Hofer]

@ChrisGage ...

Is there a reason why you are not uploading a copy of those PDF files to your course "Files" as well?  I would recommend doing this and then linking to those files from Course Files instead of your own personal Files area of Canvas.  If you wanted, in the course "Files", you can hide those files yet still link to them in content pages of your course.

• How do I upload a file to a course? - Instructure Community
• How do I upload a document in the Rich Content Edi... - Instructure Community
• How do I embed documents from Canvas in the Rich C... - Instructure Community

Hope this helps.  Let Community members know if you have any other questions about this...thanks!

[ChrisGage]

Hi, yes, there is a reason: my institution does not allow us to have multiple sections in the same canvas course, so the 4 sections of one class I teach are all separate courses. Because Canvas Commons does not import linked files, the options are as follows: (1) add files to each course individually and manually update the links; (2) link to a shared resource in Canvas Commons; (3) add the files to my Canvas account's files instead of a particular course; (4) link to an external site such as Google Drive.

#1 is an unacceptable disruption to my workflow. #2 doesn't work because the Canvas Commons interface is way overbuilt for what I want to do, and it honestly looks awful. #3 was my previous solution, but apparently it doesn't work anymore--but only on iOS. Right now, I'm doing #4.

(As it happens, Canvas Commons doesn't import due dates, either, when you add resources to another course, so I have to manually adjust those, too!)

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

Hello @ChrisGage ...

Can you confirm how you are currently linking to files in your course?  For example, if you are linking to a PDF file in your personal Canvas user files, I assume that you are following the steps in this Guide:

How do I create hyperlinks to course, group, and u... - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com)

Note, unless I am missing something in your process, I still think that uploading your file to your course "Files" (instead of your user "Files") would be a good idea...which is also covered in the above link.  Then, at the end of the semester or near the beginning of the new semester, you could import your content to a new course shell, and your file and any link that you had created to it will update automatically.

• Course Content Import (Instructors)
• How do I copy content from another Canvas course using the Course Import tool?

If I am understanding your option #2 correctly ... I think you may have a misunderstanding of what Commons is and who it is meant for.  Commons is a global repository of many types of course content (entire courses, modules, quizzes, discussion topics, pages, assignments, etc.)  It is not meant for students.  In fact, students never see the "Commons" global navigation button in their view.  (You can test this by using the Test Student role in your course, and you'll see that the "Commons" button disappears from their view.)  Commons is meant for instructors and administrators to import content that has been shared from people all over the world into their own courses.  I recognize that each resource in Commons has a button to "Copy Resource Link" [see the section labeled "View Resource" in How do I use Commons? - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com)], and I'm not sure if this might be what you had tried using in your own courses.  However, to be honest, I've never seen instructors use the "Copy Resource Link" button as a way for their students to view the content that is in Commons.  Typically, instructors would import the content from Commons into their own course(s).  Like I said, the Commons interface generally isn't for student use.

Re: option #3, I tried linking to a PDF file and a Word document on a page I created in my own sandbox course.  Then, I logged in to Canvas on my iPhone using the Canvas Student app.  I was able to view both files just fine.  Not sure why it would be any different for you and your students.

And finally, re: option #4, I can see where linking to a file from your Google Drive would be handy...because if you needed to make a change to the file after you had linked/embedded the file in your courses, you would only have to change it one time rather than going into each course.  The only down-side I see to this is that the file is not stored directly in your Canvas courses.

I'm not sure if any of this will be helpful or not, but just thought I'd share my $0.02 ... for what it's worth.  Let me know if you have any questions...thanks!