What are Files and Folders?

You may upload personal files, syllabi, readings, or other documents to your course. Once uploaded, you can organize your files into folders. You have the option to lock files and folders so students cannot access certain files. Files can be placed in Modules, Assignments, or Pages. By default, files and folders are listed in the File Manager in alphabetical order.

Files can be viewed from three different locations:

1. Personal files, located in each user's profile
2. Course files, located in each course
3. Group files, located in each group

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 the File Manager tool, you can upload files and create folders. You can also rename, delete, organize files and folders.

Add a File from the Course Navigation

To add a file to your course, ensure you are in the course to which you would like to add the file(s).

From the Course Navigation menu select the Files link.

Next, click the Add Files link located on the Sidebar to upload files.

Select the title of the file you wish to upload and click the Open button to upload the file. A progress bar will appear at the top of the screen tracking the progress of your file upload.

Once uploaded, the file will appear in the File Manager. All files will be organized in alphabetical order.

Please Note: You are allowed 500MB of space for file uploads to the course.

Some web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, and Safari) contain a unique feature which allows the user to add to files by simply dragging and dropping the files from a file window directly into the file repository. Click the title of the file you wish to add and drag the file to your open browser. Your file will automatically upload.

Add a File from the Module

From the Modules page (accessed from the Course Navigation), click on the Edit icon associated to the Module in which you would like to add the file to and select + Add Content.

From the Add Item to Module pop-up window use the following options to create your File.

1. From the Item Type drop-down menu, select File.
2. Select ‘[New File]’ from the File List.

Please Note: If you are using a previously created file, you can select it from the list.


3. Select the Folder to which the file will be added.
4. Select Add Item.

The link will be displayed and accessible from within the module you selected.

Add a Folder

Folders can be used to organize files in your course, group, or personal files.

To create a folder, ensure you are in the course you would like to add the folder(s) and click the Files link on the Course Navigation menu.

Click the Add Folder link to create a new folder.

Type the name of the folder in the Folder Name field and press Return (Mac) or Enter (PC). The folder will then be displayed in the File Manager.

Folder Names may be changed by hovering over the folder and then clicking on the Pencil icon.

Folders will appear in both panes of the Files view.

Edit a File/Folder

Once you upload a file or create a folder, you have the ability to lock [1], edit [2], or delete [3] it using the File Manager.

1. Lock File/Folder:
   
   By default when course files and/or folders are created, they are visible to all users. As an instructor, you may lock files and folders so that they are only visible by you. To lock the folder or file, click the Lock icon.
   
   Lock File
   
   
   
   
   
   Lock Folder
   
   
   
   There are 2 options for locking files and folders:
   • Option 1 allows students to view the files if you create a link to the files from another area of the course. With this option, students cannot access the file via the File Manager tool.
   • Option 2 manually locks the file/folder until you unlock it.
   Select the appropriate option and click the Lock this Folder button.
   
   Lock dates may also be implemented, by un-checking the 2nd check box. Type the date you would like to the lock the file until in the Lock Until field. Type the date you would like to lock the file after in the Lock After field. When finished, click the Lock this File button.
   
   
   
   To manually unlock a file, view the file you want to unlock and click the Open Lock icon


2. Edit File/Folder:
   
   If ever you need to change the folder or file name, click the Pencil icon to unlock the title and rename. Press Return (MAC) or Enter (PC).


3. Delete File/Folder:
   
   You may delete a file or folder by clicking on the Trash icon. You may only delete one file or folder at a time.

Please Note: Files may also be renamed or deleted from Modules page of the course, but this will not rename or delete the file that has been uploaded to the File Manager. For additional information on these topics, please refer to the Edit Items in my Course or Remove Items from my Course help pages.

Move and Organize Files/Folders

Files within the File Manager are organized in alphabetical order. While you can move files into folders, you cannot rearrange the alphabetized structure of the files and folders.

To move a file, hover over the file you wish to move. Once you see the four-direction arrow, simply click and drag the file to the desired location. Once you see the folder highlighted, release your mouse and the file will be moved to the new location.

Your files can be easily managed using a basic click-and-drag method; however, you can only drag from right pane to left pane or within the right pane. You cannot drag from left-to-right.

You can replace or rename files once they have been uploaded to the course by clicking Add Files in the File Manager. If the file already exists in the folder, you will be asked if you want to replace or rename it.

• To rename the file, click Rename New Files [1] and there will be a copy made.
• To replace the file, click Overwrite [2] and the file will be replaced.

If you want to see the Files for all your courses and/or groups, click the see files for all your courses/groups link.

View Files for All Courses

All course files which are unlocked can be viewed by all course users. If you want to see the Files for ALL your courses and/or groups, click the see files for all your courses/groups link within the File Manager.

From here, you can see all the files from your courses and/or groups [1], as well as your personal files [2].

Add Personal Files

Personal files include profile pictures, uploaded assignment submissions, and other files uploaded to your personal course site file storage area. By default, each user has 50 MB of personal file storage space. (Files uploaded to your course will not count towards your personal file quota).

To access your personal files, click the personal Settings link from the Help Corner.

Click the Files link to open your personal files.

All your personal files will be located in the folders. You also can see the amount of Storage Used [1].

Please Note: If you want to see the Files for all your courses and/or groups, click the see files for all your courses/groups link [2].




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