[Rich Content Editor] Provide a way to view long file names to make file selection easier when adding links

[jennlove]

This idea has been developed and deployed to Canvas LMS

---

When a course has files with long and similar names, it can be difficult to tell one file from another when trying to add course documents in the new RCE. The "All" view that includes the course file folder structure does not provide any way to expand the view or a mouse-over that would show the full file name.

In the example below, there isn't an easy way to distinguish between the two file names that begin with "Ch11 - Working Groups."  There's no way to tell which is the revised version of the file without making note of the file name, changing the view from "All" to "Documents" and searching by file name.

Long file names in when adding link in RCE

It would be much easier if there was a way to see the whole file name. For courses that rely on the folder organization and have files with similar names, this becomes a challenge when adding links to pages.

[Stef_retired]

@jennlove 

Thanks for sharing this idea. As it moves forward for broader discussion, you might be interested in adding your support to a related idea about file names in the Files area itself:  Files tab: Display Tooltip for long filenames

[DerekStevens]

Our design team echo's this. It is frustrating. It's prevalent in several areas of canvas. Notably almost any interface that involves linking course files. If you have a folder structure, it compounds the issue because you lose screen real-estate with the folder branching graphics.

A similar issue occurs when using the "Student Annotation" feature in the assignment submission type. The struggle compounds for the student annotation option though because the UI doesn't give you the icon to distinguish filetype either. 

We have programs with many courses that use worksheets that are titled something like below. Its difficult..

• Week 1 Worksheet Parallel Circuits 1.docx
• Week 1 Worksheet Parallel Circuits 1.pdf
• Week 1 Worksheet Parallel Circuits 2.docx
• Week 1 Worksheet Parallel Circuits 2.pdf
• Week 1 Worksheet Parallel Circuits 3.docx
• Week 1 Worksheet Parallel Circuits 3.pdf
• Week 2 Worksheet Parallel and Series Circuits 1.docx
• Week 2 Worksheet Parallel and Series Circuits 1.pdf
• Week 2 Worksheet Parallel and Series Circuits 2.docx
• Week 2 Worksheet Parallel and Series Circuits 2.pdf

[KristinL]

  Comments from Instructure

This feature is available in Beta. For more information, please read through the Canvas Release Notes (2021-07-17) 

How do I access the Canvas beta environment as an instructor?

[KristinL]

Comments from Instructure

For more information, please read through the Canvas Deploy Notes (2024-01-17)