Canvas Speedgrader Converts Documents to What Format

[chrismhs]

We were having a discussion about after you submit a google doc to Canvas, what does it convert the file to for teacher annotation?  Some of us said a Word doc and others said pdf.  Is it both?  Does Canvas convert all speedgrader files to pdf?  When students submit google docs and they batch download them, they are downloaded as Word docs.  I have seen different opinions out there on how Canvas speedgrader converts and allows you to annotate the files in.  Any insight?

[CallieAlreza]

This isn't always the case. To avoid file issues, Canvas will randomize how documents are downloaded and what they turn into. Either way, the document can still be opened.

[chriscas]

Hi Callie,

Just wanted ot make a quick comment since others may happen to see this thread in the future.  You're right that no matter whether a document is PDF or Word that DocViewer will be able to open it, Canvas does not randomize how documents are downloaded.  In the case of an online file upload assignment, Canvas would keep the original format the student uploaded in.  Google Docs are a bit unique because there is no specific dowloadable natice Google Docs file format, but Canvas would either have a doc or a pdf version of those submissions consistently.

-Chris

[chriscas]

Hi @chrismhs,

I haven't looked directly into this recently, but if you bulk download and see word documents that's a very strong indicator that the google docs are being converted to word docus that are then previewed/opened with DocViewer in Speedgrader.  I was at first thinking that PDF would havebeen the chosen format, but I know it will consistently be one or the other.

I hope this helps!

-Chris