How do I upload and embed a media file from my computer in the Rich Content Editor as an instructor?

Using the Rich Content Editor, you can upload and embed media files from your computer. Several features in Canvas support the Rich Content Editor, including Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, Quizzes, and Syllabus.

Canvas allows you to upload supported media types.

Canvas converts files up to 500 MB. If a file exceeds the 500 MB limit, you can host the file through an external source such as YouTube and embed it using the Rich Content Editor. To learn more about available options for using media files in Canvas, view the Canvas Media Comparison PDF.

Canvas videos also support caption files. Once you upload a video, learn how to add captions to a video.

Notes: 

  • If you are using Usage Rights, you must set the file usage rights before the file will be accessible to students.
  • Students cannot view media files uploaded to the Rich Content Editor which have an unpublished restriction setting or are outside of the file's visibility dates. View file restriction settings.
  • Media uploaded in the Rich Content Editor is saved in the Uploaded Media folder in your Course Files or Group Files.

00:07: How do I upload an embedded media file from my computer in the rich content editor? 00:12: Open the rich content editor when using one of the canvas features, which support the editor. 00:18: You can upload and embed media by dragging and dropping a media file save to 00:22: your computer. 00:24: You can upload and embed an image by copying and pasting it. 00:28: To copy an image to your clipboard right? Click the image and select copy. 00:33: You can paste it by right clicking into the Rich Text Editor and selecting paste or 00:37: using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + V on a PC or command + V 00:41: on a Mac. 00:43: To upload media from the toolbar click the media icon from the 00:47: drop-down menu select the upload record media option. 00:52: Alternatively, you can open the media recorder from the menu bar. 00:55: Click the insert icon navigate to view the media options and 00:59: select the record upload media option. 01:03: By default the media upload tool displays the computer tab click 01:07: or drag and drop a media file to Media uploader to upload a file from your computer. 01:13: The uploader displays a file preview to remove the file. 01:16: Click the delete icon. 01:19: The uploader also displays the media file name to change the file name 01:23: type a new file name in the media file name field. 01:26: The name of the file also acts as the alt text for the media file to 01:30: add a caption file. Click the add CC subtitles checkbox. 01:36: To upload your selected media file. Click the submit button. 01:40: View your uploaded media file in the rich content editor. 01:44: Click the reply or save button. 01:47: View the content created in the rich content editor. 01:51: This guide covered how to upload an embed a media file for my computer in the rich 01:55: content editor.

Open Rich Content Editor

Open the Rich Content Editor when creating or editing an announcement, assignment, discussion, page, quiz, or syllabus.

Note: The Rich Content Editor supports keyboard shortcuts. To view the Keyboard Shortcuts menu, click the Keyboard icon or press ALT+F8 (PC keyboard) or Option+F8 (Mac keyboard).

Open Media Upload Tool from Toolbar

Open Media Upload Tool

To upload media from the toolbar, click the Media icon [1]. Then select the Upload/Record Media option [2].

To view the Media icon, you may have to click the Options icon [3].

Note: If the Media icon does not display in the toolbar, media uploads have been disabled by your institution.

Open Media Upload Tool from Menubar

Open Media Upload Tool from Menubar

You can also upload media using the menubar in the Rich Content Editor. The menubar displays the title of Rich Content Editor tools and may be preferable for those using keyboard navigation.

To upload media using the menubar, click the Insert menu [1], select the Media option [2], and select the Upload/Record Media option [3].

Upload Media by Drag and Drop

Upload Media by Drag and Drop

You can upload and embed media by dragging and dropping a media file saved to your computer.

Note: You can upload and embed multiple media files by dragging and dropping the files saved to your computer.

Upload Media by Copy and Paste

Upload Media by Copy and Paste

You can upload and embed a media file by copying and pasting a file saved to your computer. To copy a file to your clipboard, right-click the file and select Copy or click the file and use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+C on a PC or Command+C on a Mac.  You can paste the file by right-clicking into the Rich Text Editor and selecting Paste or using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+V on a PC or Command+V on a Mac.

Upload Media from Computer

By default, the Media Upload Tool displays the Computer tab [1]. Click or drag and drop a media file to media uploader to upload a file from your computer [2].

Select File

Select File

Select the media file [1] and click the Open button [2].

View Selected File

The uploader displays a file preview [1].

The uploader also displays the media file name [2]. To change the file name, type a new file name in the media file name field. The name of the file also acts as the alt text for the media file.

To remove the file, click the Delete icon [3].

Add Captions or Subtitles

Desktop

To add captions or subtitles to your video, select the Add CC/Subtitles checkbox [1].

Select a language from the Select Language drop-down menu [2], then click the Choose caption file button [3] to find and upload your caption file. Supported caption file types include SRT and WebVTT.

Embed Media File Upload

Submit Upload

To embed your selected media file, click the Submit button.

Note: The file will flash before it embeds in the Rich Content Editor.

View Embedded Media

View Embedded Media

View your uploaded media file in the Rich Content Editor.

Save Changes

Save Changes

Click the Save button.

Notes:

  • The assignment, discussion, pages, and quizzes details pages display a Save & Publish button.
  • The Syllabus page displays an Update Syllabus button.
  • Discussion replies display a Post Reply button.

View Content

View Content

View the content created in the Rich Content Editor.