Canvas

Using the Rich Content Editor, you can upload and embed media files from your computer. Several features in Canvas support the Rich Content Editor, including Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, Quizzes, and Syllabus.

Canvas allows you to upload supported media types.

Canvas converts files up to 500 MB. If a file exceeds the 500 MB limit, you can host the file through an external source such as YouTube and embed it using the Rich Content Editor. To learn more about available options for using media files in Canvas, view the Canvas Media Comparison PDF.

Canvas videos also support caption files. Once you upload a video, learn how to add captions to a video.

Notes:

If you are using Usage Rights, you must set the file usage rights before the file will be accessible to students.
Media uploaded in the Rich Content Editor is saved in the Uploaded Media folder in your Course Files or Group Files.

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 ALT+FN+F8 (Mac keyboard).

Open Media Upload Tool from Toolbar

To upload media from the toolbar, click the Media icon [1].

You can also upload media from the media options menu. To view additional media options, click the Media Options arrow [2]. Then select the Upload/Record Media option [3].

To view the Media icon, you may have to click the Options icon [4].

Note: If the Media icon does not display in the toolbar, media uploads have been disabled by your institution.

Open Media Upload Tool from Menubar

You can also upload media using the menubar in the Rich Content Editor. The menubar displays the title of Rich Content Editor tools and may be preferable for those using keyboard navigation.

To upload media using the menubar, click the Insert menu [1], select the Media option [2], and select the Upload/Record Media option [3].

Upload Media from Computer

By default, the Media Upload Tool displays the Computer tab [1]. Click or drag and drop a media file to media uploader to upload a file from your computer [2].

Select File

Select the media file [1] and click the Open button [2].

View Selected File

The uploader displays the media file name [1] and a file preview [2]. To remove the file, click the Delete icon [3].

Add Captions or Subtitles

To add captions or subtitles to your video, select the Add CC/Subtitles checkbox [1].

Select a language from the Select Language drop-down menu [2], then click the Choose caption file button [3] to find and upload your caption file. Supported caption file types include SRT and WebVTT.

Embed Media File Upload

To embed your selected media file, click the Submit button.

Note: The file will flash before it embeds in the Rich Content Editor.

View Embedded Media

View your uploaded media file in the Rich Content Editor.

Save Changes

Click the Save button.