Release notes outline upcoming customer-impacting changes that are expected to be displayed in production environments. Please note that features considered for future development are not included in the notes.
Canvas Studio is a communication tool that allows instructors and students to actively collaborate through video and audio media. Learn more about Canvas Studio.
Unless otherwise stated, all features in this release are available in the Production environment on 2026-04-18.
New Features
Studio Media Embed Improvements - Instructor
Availability | 2026-04-18 |
|---|
Feature Option to Enable | RCE Studio Embed Improvements |
Enable Feature Option Location & Default Status | Root Account (Enabled/Unlocked) |
Subaccount Configuration | Yes |
Account/Course Setting to Enable | None |
Permissions | Inherent to user role |
Affects User Interface | Yes |
Affected Areas | Studio Media Player, Rich Content Editor |
Related Resources | Automated Captions and Interactive Transcripts for Canvas Media- Instructor, Student |
Summary
Studio media embedding includes enhancements that provide flexibility and control when adding videos within the Rich Content Editor (RCE). Instructors configure how media displays and can update settings directly in the editor without re-embedding or returning to Studio.
- Multiple Embed Views: Select from Thumbnail, Learn, Collab, or Quiz views to match teaching needs.
- Viewer Restrictions: Configure playback behavior, including speed control, download permissions, and transcript visibility.
- Transcript and Captioning: Utilize rolling transcripts with synchronized playback, inline editing, and caption management.
- Media Options Panel: Adjust player size and viewer restrictions from a centralized location.
- Inline Quick Menu: Change the embed view directly within the RCE edit mode.
Change Benefit
- Enhanced Instructional Control: Provides increased flexibility by allowing instructors to tailor media presentation and student interaction to specific learning scenarios.
- Streamlined Course Management: Enables faster content iteration through inline updates, eliminating the need to re-embed media or navigate away from the current workflow.
- Improved Accessibility: Correct transcripts and manage captions quickly without leaving the content workflow.
- Improved Student Experience: Ensures consistent playback behavior and accessibility through integrated transcript and caption tools for a professional viewing experience.
- Operational Efficiency: Reduces repetitive tasks by utilizing persistent preferences for media settings across the course.
Feature Workflow
To use these features, the RCE Studio Embed Improvements feature option must be enabled in the Canvas account.
Open the Rich Content Editor and click the Studio icon.
In the library, select the media item to embed.
After selecting the media item, click one of the following views:
- Thumbnail View [1]: A compact preview that expands into a full-screen Immersive View when clicked. Use this to save space or when students don't need to watch the video immediately.
- Learn View [2]: Built for focused study. Supports playback directly on the page with a synchronized, rolling transcript.
- Collab View [3]: Everything in Learn View, plus a comment section. Best for encouraging peer discussion and feedback alongside the video.
- Quiz View (if available) [4]: Turns the video into an assessment. Instructors can embed specific quizzes and limit playback controls to ensure academic integrity.
The selected embed view determines how media is presented within the page.
View a Thumbnail View example.
View a Learn View example.
View a Collab View example.
Adjust restrictions, such as playback speed, as needed [1]. Click the Embed Media button [2].
Note: The new embed process is not supported in New Quizzes and assignment submissions, only in the Rich Content Editor. Admins can enable the New Quizzes Canvas Native Integration Feature Option to work around the New Quizzes limitations.
Viewer Restrictions
Control how students interact with the media. Manage playback behavior and security settings, such as:
- Enabling or disabling playback speed controls.
- Granting or restricting download permissions.
- Toggling transcript visibility.
Transcript & Captioning
Enhance accessibility and searchability. Manage how text-based content accompanies your video:
- Rolling Transcript: Text automatically highlights and scrolls in sync with the video.
- Inline Editing: Fix typos or update text directly within the transcript interface.
- Caption Management: Upload and organize closed captions within the Immersive View.
Save the content to apply the embedded media settings.
Media Options Panel
The Media Options panel allows instructors to manage embedded media settings.
Available options include:
- Display type (embedded player or text link) [1]
- Adjust player layout and size (Small, Medium, Large, Custom) [2]
- Update viewer restriction settings [3]
Note: The media title is displayed as information only and can be edited in the Details tab.
Clicking the media reveals a contextual quick menu, where instructors can:
- Switch between embed views [1]
- Open the Media Options panel [2]
- Remove the media [3]
After embedding, media can be updated directly in the editor without restarting the embed steps.
Caption Management
In the Captions tab [1], users can manage caption files: upload [2], edit [3], download [4], replace [5], or delete [6].
From the Manage Captions interface, instructors can:
- View available captions (including automatically generated captions)
- Upload caption files (SRT or WebVTT) or create captions manually
- Edit, download, replace, or delete existing captions
Notes:
- New captions can be added using the New Caption button [2].
- When captions are either uploaded or automatically generated, they are added to the caption list and become accessible for both playback and transcript viewing.
Interactive Rolling Transcript
When captions are available, Studio media can display an interactive rolling transcript alongside the media player.
The transcript includes:
- Synchronized transcript text
- Active line highlighting during playback
- Click-to-jump navigation
- Transcript search
- Automatic scrolling
- Resume auto-follow after manual scroll
- Support for multiple caption languages
The transcript is available:
- Inline (when space allows)
- In immersive view
- In fullscreen playback
Note: Transcript availability depends on the Show Rolling Transcript viewer restriction.
Transcript Editing
Transcript editing is available in the following contexts:
- In RCE edit mode
- In read-only view (for instructors)
- In immersive view
- In fullscreen playback
To edit a transcript:
Open the transcript panel and click the Transcript tab [1]. Click the Options icon [2] and click the Edit Transcript link [3].
Transcript text can be modified line-by-line [4] and changes are saved automatically [5].
Note: Entries cannot be deleted, but text can be corrected.
Transcript Visibility Behavior
The Show Rolling Transcript viewer restriction controls transcript availability.
When enabled:
- The transcript panel is available in supported views
- Transcript editing is accessible
When disabled:
- The transcript panel is not available in any playback view
- Transcript editing is not accessible
Transcript updates can still be made through the caption editor in the immersive view.
Immersive View
Media can be expanded into a dedicated immersive view for additional functionality.
Change Log
Date | Description |
|---|
2026-04-20 | Updated Enable Feature Option Location & Default Status Root Account (Enabled/Unlocked) |
2026-04-16 | Updated Note: The new embed process is not supported in New Quizzes and assignment submissions, only in the Rich Content Editor. Admins can enable the New Quizzes Canvas Native Integration Feature Option to work around the New Quizzes limitations. |
