Downloading PowerPoints from Modules or Files

[DaphneWerz]

If I (an instructor) upload a PowerPoint to my course, I (and my students) cannot download it. 

Usually, I upload a PowerPoint to a Module. It can then be accessed from the Module or from Files. However, if we try to download/export the PowerPoint, it downloads as an incompatible file type instead of PowerPoint or PDF. The PowerPoint can be previewed within Canvas, so the upload worked. However, we cannot download/export it to our computers.

Any help is appreciated!

[JenMurphyA · Accepted solution]

 @DaphneWerz - I'm still not sure why this is happening, but I am hopeful that the content is intact, and you can at least use the files. I would try changing the extension of one of the files from .file to whatever it is supposed to be. So rename a downloaded file such as "Lecture x.file" to "Lecture x.pptx" if you think it's a powerpoint (or .docx if you think it's a Word file, etc.) To do this, first display file extensions in the File Explorer if you're using Windows. (Open File Explorer, click the View tab, select Show > File name extensions.) Then, rename the file and change the extension. (In File Explorer, click to select the file, press F2 on your keyboard, and enter the new name.) After changing the extension, try opening the file.

[masantos]

Hello @DaphneWerz 

I'm not sure what's causing this. Have you tried contacting Canvas Support to see if it's a bug?

[DaphneWerz]

Thank you @masantos! I have the free version, so I was under the impression that I cannot leverage Canvas Support 

[JenMurphyA]

@DaphneWerz - If you haven't already, I would try another file type and another PowerPoint file.. just to see if the issue is the file for some reason. I would also try adding the file directly to Files, again - just to see what happens. This might help narrow down the issue. - Jen

[DaphneWerz]

@JenMurphyA - Thank you! Yes, we tried this and unfortunately we are unable to download any file types (.doc, .pdf, .ppt). We are able to pre-view them, but not download them 😞 

[JenMurphyA]

That's puzzling, @DaphneWerz - I would check with a system admin and also make sure you are able to download files from other sites. I am assuming your Files list looks something like this...

What does your % full at the bottom look like? And when you download a file, what name and extension does the file have? 

[DaphneWerz]

Thank you for the troubleshooting, @JenMurphyA  .I can download files from other sites (my students can too). When I upload a file, it looks just like the document you have there. However, when I download the file, it downloads as a "file" type (IDK what that even is). Very strange!!!

 

[chriscas · Accepted solution]

Hi @DaphneWerz,

From your screenshot of files, I note that your files there don't have any extension (something like .docx, .pptx or others).  I don't know why that is, perhaps you're on a mac where sometimes extensions aren't used, but I think that's the root of your issue.  Without the extension, most systems won't know what type of file is being downloaded or how to open it.  If those are PowerPoints, I'd try adding .pptx at the end of the file name in Canvas, then try to download it and see if things work as you'd expect.

-Chris

[JenMurphyA · Accepted solution]

 @DaphneWerz - I'm still not sure why this is happening, but I am hopeful that the content is intact, and you can at least use the files. I would try changing the extension of one of the files from .file to whatever it is supposed to be. So rename a downloaded file such as "Lecture x.file" to "Lecture x.pptx" if you think it's a powerpoint (or .docx if you think it's a Word file, etc.) To do this, first display file extensions in the File Explorer if you're using Windows. (Open File Explorer, click the View tab, select Show > File name extensions.) Then, rename the file and change the extension. (In File Explorer, click to select the file, press F2 on your keyboard, and enter the new name.) After changing the extension, try opening the file.

[FlemmingVesterg]

It seems like a button has been removed in Canvas, just for power-point. If you have enclosed files in the modules, you have this little icon for downloading. But it is gone for power-point, I just noticed it yesterday

[chriscas]

Hi @FlemmingVesterg,

I don't think the screenshot you provided there is from Canvas itself, but may be a button available in the Microsoft integration with Canvas.  You'd want to reach out to your school/institution or maybe even your teacher to see if any settings have changed on their end intentionally (or maybe if Microsoft made the change).

Hope this info helps you out a bit!

-Chris