Question

Problem Summary: I create course announcements in Word documents (up to 100 pages) that typically contain 3-4 embedded hyperlinks each. For years, I've been able to copy these announcements from Word and paste them into Canvas discussion boards or rich content editors, while preserving both formatting and active hyperlinks. (Word 2016)

Current Issue: The embedded links now paste as plain text instead of functional hyperlinks in canvas; the same embedded links coming from word also paste as plain text in email (outlook 365).

Windows 11

PC

I am not aware of any update or system change that would have caused this.

Troubleshooting Already Attempted:

* I think the issue is specific to Word (copying embedded links between Canvas windows works fine)
* Uninstalled and reinstalled Microsoft Office (no improvement)

dbrace · Accepted Answer

Hi @SusanSC,

I "second" most of what @Chris_Hofer.

Have you ever been in this situation before? You are browsing the web and reading something. After reading it, you decide to "archive" it be copying the text, opening Microsoft Word, and then pasting it into Microsoft Word. After pasting it into Microsoft Word, did you notice that the formatting was all messed up? Have you ever done the same thing but instead pasted it into your email platform/program and then had weird formatting? Both of those happen a lot and it is because of what Chris described.

While there might be less behind-the-scenes code for the formatting of a newly created Microsoft Word document for something like an announcement, the same is basically true. While you might not have experienced problems in the past, it is something that happens.

In my opinion, if the purpose of creating the announcements in Word is so that you have an "archive" of the announcements for later, while you might still have the same problem, I would recommend that you first create the announcement in Canvas and then copy and paste it into a Word document.

I understand that this is a change for you but I hope you found the explanation and recommendation to be helpful.

-Doug