Embedding Google Doc with Links

[lhenson]

I am able to embed Google Docs into a Canvas page using the embed code, the Google Doc has links in it.  When you click on the links (on the Google Doc embedded into Canvas), all that shows up is 'Redirecting you to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chatterpix-kids-by-duck-duck/id734046126?mt=8'.  It never actually opens the link.  Is there a setting in Google or Canvas that I might be missing?

[kona]

 @lhenson ​, I tried this myself and was not able to get this link to open by clicking on it. Yet, I was able to get some other links to open - like the URL to our College's website. Yet, to get this to work I did have to click the shield (in Chrome to the far right of the URL) to allow unsafe scripts.

The only way I could get the URL you included to open from the embedded Google Doc was to right click on it and select "Open in a new tab." - I'm not sure if there's another way to get this to work, but as a last resort you could add these directions (to right click and open in a new tab) to your document.

Hope this helps!

[lhenson]

That is what I figured out as well. I was just hoping it would be easier for the end user than this.

[Amanda_L_Albrig]

I used some embed code and placed it on a Canvas page. The Google doc then appears directly in the page. Users still need to log in to a Google account in order to edit it. You can see it at Geisel Page Designs . See if you can participate in the document posted there.

The embed code is

<p>Embed HTML Page Canvas</p>

<div><iframe style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://docs.google.com/document/d/13iT5hDbZrqH2Scx-TWoZKE5v2HTNrZ0e5pgbOBuDXIU/edit?usp=sharing" width="90%" height="600"></iframe></div>

Does that help?

Note 7Apr16: The Geisel Page Design home page now reflects a change where only the text of the Google Doc appears in the page. The code above will allow you to embed a Google doc in edit mode in the page. Just replace my doc sharing url with yours.

[lhenson]

Thanks for the info, Amanda.  I was really wanting to embed the document without all of the menu options and have just the document show up. When I do it that way though, the links don't redirect easily.  It does work if you right click on the link and have it open in a new window, but I wanted it easy for the end user.  Your method may not look as I wish, but it is easier for the end user, which is the most important thing.  Thanks.

[pgleason]

Amanda,

I found your code to be extremely helpful, thank you.

[Amanda_L_Albrig · Accepted solution]

I also found that you can publish to web in Google and it produces a different embed code. When adding that to a Canvas page you can just get the text without the rich text editor and other prompts. Is this what you wanted? I created a screencast explaining the process.

[lhenson]

I did that at first, which gave me the cleaner format, but that embed option is what caused the links to be difficult for the end user.  Thanks though.  FYI: Your screencast link gave me an Object Not Found error.  Thought I would share in case someone tried to view it.

[Amanda_L_Albrig]

URL fixed. Thanks for letting me know about that.

[Amanda_L_Albrig]

Hi Leslie,

I now better understand your issue. You essentially are trying to open a webpage inside of a webpage embedded in a webpage. I'm honestly not certain if it is a shortcoming of Canvas or simply a result of embedding the page in another webpage and then trying to open url. The ideal solution would be if you could tell the link in the google doc to open in a new tab/window. Unfortunately from what I can find, that is not possible. Thus, the only solution would be to right click on the link and tell it via the browser prompts to open in a new window/tab.

If I find any other solutions I'll let you know.

Amanda

[lhenson]

That is the issue in a nutshell.  I think it might be a combination of a Google issue and a Canvas issue.  I also looked for an html code I could add that would force the link to open in a new window, but came up short.  I already have instructions on my page that explains how to open the links, but was hoping to find a more seamless options.  Thanks for taking the time to help out.

[jokilroy]

I know you said above that you might want to have this embed without the menu, but I was having this same issue, and found that the new Google Apps LTI fixed it (but with menu visible). Might still be better than the issue you were encountering before.  

[SHEBENE]

In researching this it appears that Google changed something around 10 years ago when it used to allow you to open links in a new tab of an embedded Google doc but that doesn't work any longer. I have resorted to referring to links in the Google doc (link below) and then putting the link below the i-Frame on the Canvas page itself. Links within the Google doc that refer to anchors within the Google doc itself still work of course but you're right, it is a hassle to work with external URLs in an embedded Google doc.

[Stef_retired]

For anyone interested in this topic, the next installment in the CanvasLIVE‌ series on the Google Apps LTI is coming up on Friday, February 3, 2017: Google LTI Series: Accessing Your Assets. Click on the event link to RSVP “yes” if you will be there--and if you’re interested, but your schedule doesn’t allow you to attend in real time, RSVP "no" or "maybe" to receive all event updates. Your RSVP ensures that you will receive a notification should the event be cancelled or changed.

[andrew_starnes]

Hi folks, we also use google docs embedded into our courses for just about every assignment. We like the functionality of these google docs because it allows you to update one master doc and it can update in every course. This is helpful when you have multiple courses being taught under one umbrella. The update in one google doc shows up in all courses since it is an embed. We have the same issue with a link inside of the embedded document. Some sites will display in the canvas window by enabling mixed media content. However, if it happens to be a link to another google doc it will not work unless you right click to open in a new tab. I also have not found a way to tell a google doc to open a target in a new window. 

The only fix I have made is to go below the embedded document and type "If the activity link in the assignment above does not load properly, click HERE". Then I go to file upload and link the document to "HERE" so the student has a back up. Not idea, but he best band aid we could think of. 

[BradMoser]

Thanks Andrew...this seem to explain a good work around for the embedded "Published" Google Doc. It sounds like it is a Google Doc issue, that doesn't allow for links to auto-open in a new tab. I wish that were the case. It would be a great opportunity to have a single published Google Doc displayed in several course to be maintained in a single Google Doc for updating purposes.