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Searching for files - I need the location

dbradbury

I sometimes need to search for a file on Canvas so I can rename it or move it to a specific folder. The 'search' facility' is useless because it doesn't tell me the location of the file -i.e. which folder it is in. Is there any way of getting this basic information - the Panda Bot AI assistant suggested clicking on the folders one by one! As things stand, I have to download the file, make changes, then reupload it to the correct folder, which is a waste of time.

I posted this before, but it was marked as "solved" - easy to guess why.

Any thoughts?

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Accepted answers

JeffCampbell

I know that this does not help you locate the file location, but could be helpful for future thought. One thing I started doing is using a consistent marker in the file name. For example, I have Lesson 1, Lesson 2, and so forth. Those can be further divided into Activities. So Lesson 2, Activity 2 for example. With that structure, I started labeling any files related to that activity with 2.2 or 2_2 (depending on preference) before uploading, or renaming after uploading. This way, when I search for a file, I can see that marker and know which folder the file is in. I also use folders like Images, Teacher Resources, Student Resources, etc. So if I am looking for an image in my AR class, and see in the search that it has 2.2 in the name, that tells me I need to go to AR—>Images—>Lesson 2.

IDEA SUBMISSION
When clicking on a file in the search, using the context menu @Jeff_F mentioned, you can select information. I think it might be useful, based on your question, if it gave the folder location in that information. Maybe even add a menu option to "Go to Folder" too. I'd suggest going to the Product Connection page and submitting this under the Canvas Collaborative Roadmap. You have an idea I'm sure many would find useful.

https://community.instructure.com/en/categories/product-connection

Chris_Hofer

@dbradbury …

Another option for you might be to check out TidyUP from Cidi Labs (the same folks who make DesignPLUS). If you do not have TidyUP, you might want to check with your school's Canvas admin team to see if it purchasing might be possible. TidyUP is for file clean-up in a course, but I believe it would also tell you where a file is located. Here's an info page for your reference: TidyUP | Canvas Course Cleanup Tool from Cidi Labs.

Also, if your school has Simple Syllabus, they have a Clean Up tool (similar to TidyUP) to help with file cleanup, and I think you can also determine where files are stored, too. Clean Up to Keep Your LMS Tidy - Simple Prep

All comments

Jeff_F

Hello @dbradbury - I just tested the interface and observed what you are mentioning. The search results do not indicate the current folder. Perhaps good news: I did not need to know the folder name in order to search for a file, rename the file or move the file to another folder. Select the Actions 'pickles' on the right side to access the options.

And if I needed to know the folder name, I could select the parent folder, download the contents as a zip file, extract the file, and then use Windows Explorer to search. Not optimal, but that is a workaround.

maychu

While there are ways to work around this issue, sometimes it would be really helpful to know the location of a file. For example, I can rename a file in the result list, but I cannot drag and drop another file into it to replace the one I searched for. To swap a file or image with an updated file, it is essential to know the location of the file.

dbradbury

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for responding. Yes, there are workarounds, but like much of Canvas, this is more fiddly that it needs to be.

David

JeffCampbell

https://community.instructure.com/en/categories/product-connection

Chris_Hofer

@dbradbury …

dbradbury

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for responding. Unfortunately, I don't really see the point in making this a suggestion through the "Canvas Collaborative Roadmap" or any other route because nothing happens. For example, there have been repeated requests for folders for the Canvas Dashboard, but they have all been ignored…

David

JeffCampbell

Like you, I have seen plenty of ideas that I have considered good ideas that appear ignored. While you may have little faith that it is worth the effort, I've also seen plenty of ideas that get adopted. I wish I had an answer for the logic, but do not. All I can do is suggest it. I appreciate you sharing your views.

dbradbury

Thank you. I will follow your advice. Have a good weekend.

David

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