Student is having a problem uploading material

Question

The student is having a problem uploading material that she has already done, but when in Workspace and submitting the generated PDF is missing certain sections

Edfina Lizardo · Answer

Sometimes, that generated PDF omits sections of the original file. This is usually due to:

Formatting or fonts Canvas’s previewer doesn’t fully support

Embedded elements (charts, images, tables, text boxes) that don’t render properly. Some Workspace tools or PDF generators skip certain content (like embedded media, text boxes, or special formatting).

File uploaded through Google Drive LTI or Office 365 Cloud Assignments, which can produce partial PDFs. Large or complex files can sometimes cause incomplete output during export.

Browser or cache issues during upload. Cached data or an outdated browser may prevent the file from generating correctly.

Suggested Solutions:

Have the student re-upload the file directly. Ask the student to download their final version (e.g., from Google Docs or Workspace) and upload it directly to Canvas as a PDF — not as a cloud link.

Use a different browser or clear cache. Canvas works best on Chrome or Firefox. The student should clear the cache/cookies or try an incognito window, then re-upload the file.

Save and re-export before submission. If the content was originally made in another tool (Google Docs, Word, etc.), the student should manually export it to PDF first (File → Download → PDF), check it, and then upload that version.

Check for embedded or special formatting. Elements like text boxes, comments, or tables sometimes don’t render properly in Canvas-generated PDFs. Simplify formatting if possible before generating or exporting.

Escalate to Canvas Support. If re-uploading doesn’t fix it, submit a Canvas Support ticket.