Canvas LMS Basics Guide

What are Files?

The Files area of Canvas can house course files, assignments, syllabi, readings, or other documents, as well as profile pictures and user-specific files. Instructors can lock folders and files so they can only be viewed by direct links or only unlock on a specific date.

Files can be placed in Modules, Assignments, or Pages. Files and folders are put in alphabetical order and cannot be rearranged.

You can view files (documents, images, media, etc.) in three different places:

Account Files: view and manage personal user files (all users)
Course Files: view and manage files located in a course (students, instructors, and TAs unless files are locked by the instructor)
Group Files: view and manage files located in a group (students and instructors who are enrolled in groups)

You can learn more about using Files.

To learn about specific file quota details for each user role, view the Course Files Quota resource document.

00:07: What are files?

00:09: The basic functionality within files is the same within each files location,

00:13: but some features May differ according to feature area.

00:18: The left panel shows all folders for Quick Navigation.

00:20: Some folders may be housed within other folders to expand

00:25: all folders. Click the arrows next to the folder name.

00:29: When you click the name of a folder all contents within the folder you are viewing

00:33: display in the right panel. You can also click folder names in the right

00:37: panel to view folder content.

00:40: For each file you can view the name of the file the date the file was created

00:44: the date the file was modified the name of the person who modified the file

00:48: if Modified by another user and the size of the file.

00:53: Files are sorted alphabetically to sort files.

00:56: Click the name of any column heading.

00:59: You can also view the published status for your user files.

01:03: Depending on the file area files may contain several options to manage files.

01:09: Search for files files is fully searchable by file name.

01:13: Add a folder add a new folder to files to store files.

01:17: Folders can also house other folders.

01:20: Upload a file upload a file to files.

01:24: Change the state of the files can be published unpublished

01:28: or include a restricted status?

01:32: To select a file click the name of the file.

01:34: You can also select multiple files at the same time by holding the Command

01:38: MAC or control PC key.

01:43: When a file is selected files displays the file toolbar at the top of the

01:47: window. Depending on the files area.

01:49: The toolbar may contain several options to manage the selected files

01:54: preview the file restrict access to the file download

01:58: the file move the file or delete the file.

02:03: You can also manage some or all options for a selected file within the files options

02:07: menu.

02:09: Course files and group files May display a column for usage rights If

02:13: enabled the column displays the usage rate copyright for the file.

02:18: Files that do not contain a usage right display as a warning icon.

02:23: To change the usage rate for a file in group files.

02:25: Click on the usage right icon for that file.

02:30: This guide covered files.

When would I use Files as an Instructor?

As an instructor, you can use Files to:

Share course documents and syllabi with your students
Copy documents from one Canvas course to another
Organize course documents by day, week, or unit
Store personal documents that you don't want to share with others

Within Files, you can:

When would I use Files as a Student?

As a student, you can use Files to:

Share documents with your group or other students in a course
Store personal documents or assignment submissions
Store profile pictures (if allowed by your institution)

Canvas LMS Basics Guide

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