How can I view files that I attached to my "assignment comments" in SpeedGrader?

[ArneHenningsen]

When I attach a file (e.g., a PDF file) to my "assignment comments" in SpeedGrader, it seems that my students can see these files but I cannot see them (e.g., if I want to check if I have attached the correct file or if I want to see the comments that I gave my students some time ago). If I click at "Download submission comments", I can see the text of my "assignment comment" but not the attached file 😞

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

Good morning, @ArneHenningsen ...

I did some testing in my own sandbox course, and I also used the instructions outlined in: How do I download submission comments as a PDF in ... - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com).  I got the same results as you did.  I had added a *.docx (Word document) as an assignment comment, but that file did not download when I clicked on the "Download Submission Comments" link.  My guess is that this is "by design"...meaning that only the actual comments will download to a PDF file...not any attached files that were part of the comments.  Technically, I guess you could say that files are not comments...even though you may have included feedback within your attached file.

Since the Guide I linked to above doesn't indicate that attachments are not included with the "Download Submission Comments" link, this would be an opportunity for you to do the following:

• Submit a new Feature Idea here in the Community asking for files to be included when clicking on "Download Submission Comments".
  • How do idea conversations work in the Instructure Community?
  • What is the feature development process for Instructure products?
  • How do I create a new idea conversation in the Instructure Community?
• Use the "share your feedback" link at the bottom (below the two big red buttons: "Ask a Question" & "View Related Guides") of the Guide I linked in my first paragraph to send a message to the Canvas Documentation Team with your suggestion on how that particular Guide can be more clear.  They will review your suggestion and make any necessary changes so that the Canvas documentation here in the Community is as accurate as possible.

I hope this will be of some help to you...even though it might not be the answer you were looking for.  Let Community members know if you have any other questions about this...thanks!

[ArneHenningsen]

@Chris_Hofer Thank you for your detailed response. I followed your suggestion in the second bullet point of your response:

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Question-Forum/Files-attached-to-quot-assignment-comments-...

Why is this issue marked as solved although it is not solved (I still cannot access the files that I attached to my submission comments) 😞

[chadscott]

@ArneHenningsen It's marked solved because that's the best answer the community has for you. This isn't a bug and isn't something that can be "fixed" for you. @Chris_Hofer gave you options for next steps.

My own suggestion would be - you uploaded the files, so one would assume you would still have those files to reference should you need. If you don't, now you know that in the future, you should keep those files in a way in which you can reference them again should you need.

Cheers,
Chad Scott

[ArneHenningsen]

@chadscott Thanks for your response. I think that this is an annoying bug ... but perhaps a car dealer wouldn't consider a missing rearview mirrors to be a deficiency (bug) of a car -- the buyers could just use their own mirrors in the car 😉

[chadscott]

@ArneHenningsen I understand your frustration when things don't work like you think they should. My point is that a "bug" is when something doesn't work as intended and in this case, that's not what is happening. Speedgrader is working as intended - Canvas did not build in the functionality for you to view your attachments to comments.

This is where @Chris_Hofer's direction to search the Ideas conversation comes in. If this is functionality you think would bring positive change to the platform, vote up the idea if it's there or create a post yourself if it's not. That is the most direct method for communicating with the development teams, not here.

Cheers,
Chad Scott

[ArneHenningsen]

Yes, if a car manufacturer intentionally does not install rearview mirrors in a car, this is not a deficiency 😉

I have added rearview mirrors aka teachers' access to attachments to assignment comments as an "idea":

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Idea-Conversations/Files-attached-to-quot-assignment-comments-quo...