Making csv files for download for students

How do I make .csv files available in Canvas so they are able to be downloaded with Safari? I, and my students, seem to get a txt file with "unauthorized" when downloading .csv files with safari. Is there a way I can better make the file available for the students to avoid this?

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Accepted answers

cameron_redsell

Small update, looks like there was a Canvas change that caused this behaviour a while ago and I didn't see it. Also includes the same solution
https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Question-Forum/Forcing-download-of-file/m-p/431593

All comments

Ron_Bowman

@cameron_redsell -

First, I assume there is a specific reason that you and your students are using safari, but it would be interesting to know if you can successfully download the csv file when using a different browser - like chrome.

Second, how are you making the csv file available to the students? Is it from the files area? Is it from a link in an assignment or page?

I just tried this in my playground, and as a true student I can download the csv file from a page or from the files area. I did not try an assignment, but I imagine it would work there as well.

The best way we could help you would be to know if the download does not work in Safari but it does in chrome, then safari is the problem. If it is a problem in both browsers, then there may be something strange with the way you made the file available for download

cameron_redsell

I know it's very easy to point at browsers and say they are the problem and you should conform, but I like to support my students where they are (not to mention some accessibility and privacy concerns). But let's just move past that point for now.

I have been able to work around the way Canvas is encoding files for downloading by adding "download" to the href request. That does help, but still not perfect. The preview page still opens and that new link fails. I'll keep investigating.

cameron_redsell

TravisBussler

The issue is Safari's privacy setting "prevent cross-site scripting". If checked, it converts .csv files to true.txt files and the students don't have access to the data. Uncheck this setting in Safari and .csv files download correctly. I've also seen this issue with Safari, Canvas, and TestOut. There are dangers with disabling "prevent cross-site scripting".

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