File submissions

[AydenHumphries]

My zip files keep being cleared when I submit them. They aren’t empty when I create the zip but as soon as it gets submitted it’s empty 

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi @AydenHumphries ...

That seems pretty strange.  Can you say more about what you are doing to submit files to your assignment?  Do you know if your instructor is limiting the types of files that can be submitted (such as *.zip files, *.docx, *.pdf, etc.)?  (You would see this somewhere on the assignment screen where the directions are for the assignment.)  If you don't see any limitations on the types of files that can be submitted, have you checked to see that the zip file is attached to the submission?  For example, take a look at this Guide:

How do I know when my assignment has been submitted?

Please keep us posted here in the Community.  Looking forward to hearing more about how you are submitting things.

[AydenHumphries]

He limits it to specifically .zip files. I make sure that they are indeed zip files, and when I check my documents the zip file contains everything inside, I turn it in and now it's empty, but the one still in my documents has everything correct. I can even redownload what I submitted and its just an empty .zip file. 

Thank you for the quick response. 

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi there, @AydenHumphries ...

Hmmm...thanks for replying.  By chance, have you checked with your instructor to see if he has been able to download and unzip your zip file on his end?  Are you submitting this via a normal Canvas assignment submission?  Or, do you know if you are using some other third-party interface to submit the assignment?  For a normal Canvas submission, the interface would look like one of these two options:

• How do I submit an online assignment?
• How do I submit an online assignment in a course using Assignment Enhancements?

If you and your instructor are both having issues with the file submission, you might want to reach out directly to Canvas Support.  You can find out how to contact them using the "Help" menu in Canvas.  How do I get help with Canvas?

Keep us posted here in the Community...thanks!

[AydenHumphries]

He's been able to download it but there's just been nothing in the file for him to see, just a .zip that once extracted has nothing in it. I am submitting it through the normal submission portal yes. 

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

Hi again, @AydenHumphries ...

This is pretty strange.  I just tried creating a new assignment in my own sandbox course where I only allowed my dummy student to attach a *.zip file to the assignment.  Then, when I masqueraded as the dummy student, I attached a *.zip file that had four *.stl files (3D printing files) in it.  When I looked at the submission as a student, I was able to download it and unzip the files as expected.  When I returned to my own instructor view, I was also able to download and unzip the file normally without it being empty as you've described.

I'd recommend contacting the Canvas Support folks using the information I provided earlier.  You might even try reaching out to your school's Canvas administrators or someone from their Online Learning / eLearning / Distance Education team.  They may be able to provide some additional insights for you.

Good luck, and keep us posted!!!

[AydenHumphries]

Yeah its strange it only happens like once in every like 4 or 5 submissions.

Thank you for your help, I submitted a ticket to get it checked out.