How do I link to a document from Canvas in the Rich Content Editor as an instructor?

You can use the Rich Content Editor to insert hyperlinks to document files stored in your course, user, and group files.

By default, documents linked display an icon that allows users to preview the document in the Rich Content Editor. You can disable the in-line preview or open the in-line preview automatically.

Notes: If you set a file as not visible to students in Course Files and link to that file in the Rich Content Editor, students will be able to view that file using the link in the Rich Content Editor.

Open Rich Content Editor

Open Rich Content Editor

Open the Rich Content Editor when creating or editing an announcement, assignment, discussion, page, quiz, or syllabus.

Note: The Rich Content Editor supports keyboard shortcuts. To view the Keyboard Shortcuts menu, click the Keyboard icon or press ALT+F8 (PC keyboard) or Option+F8 (Mac keyboard).

View and Sort Files

View and Sort Files

By default, the Add menu displays all files in your selected file source [1].

To sort the displayed files by image, document, or media file type, click the Type drop-down menu [2].

To sort the displayed files by date added or alphabetically, click the Sort by drop-down menu [3].

To search for a document, enter the file name in the Search field [4]. You must enter at least three characters for search results to display.

Select File

Select File

Click the name of the file you want to link in the Rich Content Editor.

Note: The text will flash before turning into the hyperlink.

Save Changes

Save Changes

Click the Save button.

Notes:

  • The assignment, discussion, pages, and quizzes details pages display a Save & Publish button.
  • The Syllabus page displays an Update Syllabus button.
  • Discussion replies display a Post Reply button.

View Content

View Content

View the content.  

To preview the file, click the file link [1]. Links to external URLs display an Open icon [2].

To download the linked file, click the Download icon [3].