What is the folder location of a found file?

[dan_stone_ky]

The Canvas search function for files will report hits, i.e., the files that match your search criteria, but not report the directory or folder in which the file is located. Is there a known fix for this or is this a development item that Canvas should add to its functionality tomorrow (ha-ha)?

[HeatherAhern · Accepted solution]

Hello @dan_stone_ky ,

As you have noticed, Canvas does not currently have a feature that tells you what folder the file is located in when you search it in the search bar. I can understand the need for this type of feature so we would love to have your feedback added to our Ideas page. This way we can continue to make our product better and more convenient for our users.

[dan_stone_ky]

Thanks for your reply. One maddening aspect of life as a Canvas user is that known issues are tagged as "solved" when the reply is actually, "yeah, that is a problem. We ought to maybe think about doing something about that. Will you please write another post for us in another place so that it gets routed to the right people at Canvas?"

gggggrrrrrrrrrr

[lenz]

Dan, 

Two years after you wrote this (and my 4th or 5th year with CANVAS), and this trait of theirs still DRIVES ME CRAZY!!!

           gggggrrrrrrrrrr

- CR

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi there, @dan_stone_ky ...

One possible solution for you is a product called TidyUP from Cidi Labs.  I'm not sure what your school's budget looks like, but you'd have to have a conversation with folks at your school to see if this was a possibility.  TidyUP integrates with Canvas, and it's a tool that scans your course.  It helps you clean up unused files and course content.  One of the nice things about TidyUP is that it shows the location of files within the "Files" area of your course.  For example, here's a screenshot from my own sandbox course:

, 

As you can see, I was searching for the word "bookworm", and it found two image files.  When I hover my mouse over one of the files, a box pops up, and the path to that file within my Canvas course "Files" is displayed.  So, this means that the bookworm image is in a "Clipart" folder within my course "Files"....which I can confirm it is.

Here's a link to TidyUP from Cidi Labs: TidyUP for Canvas File and Page Cleanup - Cidi Labs

Hope this will help a bit!

[dan_stone_ky]

Thanks for your thoughtful and helpful reply,

However, the idea that I should buy another product because Canvas doesn't provide basic, core functionality is, well, slightly .... weird maybe?

A better solution is for Canvas to rewrite the code and indicate the file location.

All the best,

Dan

[Chris_Hofer]

@dan_stone_ky ...

I agree that having functionality you describe would be nice to have in the core Canvas product.  That's why @HeatherAhern suggested submitting a Feature Idea here in the Community.  Feature Ideas are just one of the many ways that Instructure gathers feedback about what folks would like to see in Canvas.  You never know...if you were to submit this as a Feature Idea, maybe there would be others who would also like to see similar functionality.  Here are a few documents for you to look through:

• 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?

Hope this helps a bit.

[lrutkows]

Thanks for the suggestion. But, come on...I'm *sure* (beyond sure) that my university pays a princely sum for Canvas. It's crazy to me that another application would be necessary for basic functionality. 

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi @lrutkows ...

I understand the frustration.  I wish there were some things I'd consider "basic features" in Canvas as well.  I would point you to the following:

• What is the feature development process for Instru... - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com) -- Read the section on "If my idea doesn't align with a priority..."
• How do I create a new idea conversation in the Ins... - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com) -- Read the section on "Be Patient"

Hopefully these documents will help a bit.

[KrassiePetrova]

A year after , this basic functionality is still missing....sad!