Search the Community
AlliFoote
in
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, and Quizzes.
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:
- Media uploaded in the Rich Content Editor is saved in the Uploaded Media folder in your User Files or Group Files, depending on where it is recorded. If media is uploaded for an assignment submission, the media file is stored in your User Files.
- If you are using Usage Rights, you must set the file usage rights before the file will be accessible to students.
- Students cannot view media files uploaded to the Rich Content Editor which have an unpublished restriction setting or are outside of the file's visibility dates. View file restriction settings.
Open Rich Content Editor
Open the Rich Content Editor when using one of the Canvas features which support the Editor.
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).
Upload Image by Drag and Drop
You can upload and embed media by dragging and dropping a media file saved to your computer.
Note: You can upload and embed multiple media files by dragging and dropping the files saved to your computer
Upload Image by Copy and Paste
You can upload and embed an image by copying and pasting it. To copy an image to your clipboard, right-click the image and select Copy. You can paste it by right-clicking into the Rich Text Editor and selecting Paste or using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+V on a PC or Command+V on a Mac.
Record Media from Toolbar
To upload media from the toolbar, click the Media icon [1]. From the dropdown menu, select the Upload/Record Media option [2].
To view the Media icon, you may have to click the Options icon [3].
Note: If the Media icon does not display in the toolbar, media uploads have been disabled by your institution.
Record Media from Menubar
Alternatively, you can open the media recorder from the menubar. Click the Insert icon [1]. Navigate to view the Media options [2], and select the Record/Upload Media option [3].
Upload Media from Computer
By default, the Media Uploader displays the Computer tab [1]. To upload a file, 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 a file preview [1].
The uploader also displays the media file name [2]. To change the file name, type a new file name in the media file name field. The name of the file also acts as the alt text for the media file.
To remove the file, click the Delete icon [3].
To add a caption file, click the Add CC/Subtitles checkbox [4].
Submit Media File Upload
To upload 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.
Note: When using the Rich Content Editor in Discussions, the Save button may appear as the Reply button.
View Content
View the content created in the Rich Content Editor.
AlliFoote
in
You can embed media files from your user files in Canvas in the Rich Content Editor. Several features in Canvas support the Rich Content Editor, including Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, and Quizzes.
Note: Students cannot view media files uploaded to the Rich Content Editor which have an unpublished restriction setting or are outside of the file's visibility dates. View file restriction settings.
Open Rich Content Editor
Open the Rich Content Editor when using one of the Canvas features which support the Editor.
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).
Upload Media from Toolbar
You can embed your media files from the toolbar. Click the Media icon [1]. To view images saved in your Canvas user files, click the User Media option [2].
To view the Media icon, you may have to click the Options icon [3].
Note: If the Media options do not display in the toolbar, media uploads have been disabled by your institution.
Upload Media from Menubar
Click the Insert link [1]. Navigate to view the Media options [2], and select the User Media option [3].
Select Media File
By default, when embedding a media file in the Rich Content Editor, the Add menu displays media files from your selected source [1]. To change the media file source, click the Source drop-down menu [2].
To sort media files by date added or alphabetically, click the Sort by drop-down menu [3]. To search for a media file, enter the file name in the Search field [4]. You must enter at least three characters for search results to display.
Click the media file to embed [5].
Note: The file will flash before it embeds in the Rich Content Editor.
View Embedded Media
View your embedded media file in the Rich Content Editor.
Save Changes
Click the Save button.
Note: When using the Rich Content Editor in Discussions, the Save button may appear as the Reply button.
View Content
View the content created in the Rich Content Editor.
AlliFoote
in
You can embed uploaded image files from your user files in Canvas in the Rich Content Editor. After embedding an image, you can also edit the image display options and add alt tags to your images for better accessibility.
Note: Before you can embed an image from Canvas, the image must first be uploaded to your user files.
Open Rich Content Editor
Open the Rich Content Editor when using one of the Canvas features which support the Editor.
Note: The Rich Content Editor supports keyboard shortcuts. To view a window with a list of keyboard navigation shortcuts, click the Keyboard icon or press Alt+F8 (on a PC keyboard) or Option+F8 (on a Mac keyboard) simultaneously on your keyboard.
Embed Images from Toolbar
Click the Image icon [1]. To view images saved in your Canvas user files, select the User Images option [2].
Note: To view the Images icon, you may have to click the Options icon [3].
Embed Images from Menubar
Alternatively, you can embed images from the menubar. Click the Insert link [1]. Navigate to view the Image options [2], then select the User Images option [3].
Select Image File
By default, when embedding an image in the Rich Content Editor, the Add menu displays image files from your selected source [1]. To change the image file source, click the Source drop-down menu [2].
To sort image files by date added or alphabetically, click the Sort by drop-down menu [3]. To search for an image, enter the file name in the Search field [4]. You must enter at least three characters for search results to display.
Click the image file to embed [5].
Note: The image will flash before it embeds in the Rich Content Editor.
View Embedded Image
View the image embedded in the Rich Content Editor. You can also edit the size of the image and add alt tags for improved accessibility.
Save Changes
Click the Save button.
Note: When using the Rich Content Editor in Discussions, the Save button may appear as the Reply button.
View Content
View the content created in the Rich Content Editor.
AlliFoote
in
If your course has enabled Google Apps, you can create a document, slide presentation, or spreadsheet using Google Drive and then embed that document anywhere you can use the Rich Content Editor in Canvas. Several features in Canvas support the Rich Content Editor, including Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, and Quizzes. When embedded, Google slide presentations default to presentation mode.
In Google, you can embed files. Any time you edit the Google file, the edits also display in Canvas.
Note: If you cannot view the Google Drive option in the Rich Content Editor LTI Tools menu, you can still include your file by creating a hyperlink or publishing your Google content to the web and pasting the embed code in the HTML editor.
Open Rich Content Editor
Open the Rich Content Editor when using one of the Canvas features which support the Editor.
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).
Open Apps
You can view a list of external tools from the menubar. Click the Tools link [1]. Navigate to the Apps option [2], then select the View All option [3].
Alternatively, you can view your apps from the toolbar. In the toolbar, click the App icon [4].
Note: To view the App icon, you may have to click the Options icon [5].
View Recently Used Apps
If you have previously used an external app from the Rich Content Editor, you can quickly open recently used apps.
To view recently used apps, click the App icon [1]. Then select the app you want to open [2].
To view all apps, click the View All link [3].
Open Google
Click the Google Drive (LTI 1.3) link [1].
You can also filter menu options using the Search field [2].
Note: If the Google link does not display, the LTI may not be enabled in your course. You can still include your file by creating a hyperlink or publishing your Google content to the web and pasting the embed code in the HTML editor.
Select File
Click the Select file button.
Locate and select the file you want to embed [1]. Click the Add button [2].
Attach File
Click the Attach link.
View Embedded File
View the embedded Google file in the Rich Content Editor.
Save Changes
Click the Save button.
Notes:
- The assignment, discussion, pages, and quizzes details pages may display a Save & Publish button.
- The Syllabus page displays an Update Syllabus button.
- Discussion replies display a Reply button.
AlliFoote
in
You can embed images in the Rich Content Editor. Image files can be uploaded from your computer or added using a URL. You can also embed images from your course and user files.
Several features in Canvas support the Rich Content Editor, including Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, and Quizzes.
Notes:
- You can embed a variety of image file types (e.g. image formats, video formats, audio formats).
- Images uploaded from your computer are added to your course files.
- If you are using Usage Rights, you must set the file usage rights before the file will be accessible to students.
Open Rich Content Editor
Open the Rich Content Editor when using one of the Canvas features which support the Editor.
Note: The Rich Content Editor supports keyboard shortcuts. To view a window with a list of keyboard navigation shortcuts, click the Keyboard icon or press Alt+F8 (on a PC keyboard) or Option+F8 (on a Mac keyboard) simultaneously on your keyboard.
Upload Image by Drag and Drop
You can upload and embed an image by dragging and dropping from a web browser or a file saved to your computer. If you drag and drop an image from a web browser, the source URL for the image populates in the File URL field in the Image Options.
Note: You can upload and embed multiple images by dragging and dropping the files from a web browser or saved to your computer.
Upload Image by Copy and Paste
You can upload and embed an image by copying and pasting it. To copy an image to your clipboard, right-click the image and select Copy. You can paste it by right-clicking into the Rich Text Editor and selecting Paste or using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+V on a PC or Command+V on a Mac.
Upload Images from Toolbar
To upload an image from the toolbar, click the Image icon [1]. From the drop-down menu, select the Upload Image option [2].
Note: To view the Image icon, you may have to click the Options icon [3].
Upload Images from Menubar
Alternatively, you can embed images from the menubar. Click the Insert link [1]. Navigate to view the Image options [2], then select the Upload Image option [3].
Upload Image from Computer
By default, the Image Uploader displays the Computer tab [1]. Click or drag and drop an image file to the image uploader to upload a file from your computer [2].
Notes:
- Images uploaded from your computer using the image uploader within a group are added to your group files.
- Images uploaded from your computer are added to your course files.
Select File
Select the image file [1] and click the Open button [2].
Learn about supported image file types.
View Selected File
The uploader displays the image file name [1] and an image preview [2]. To remove the image, click the Delete icon [3].
Upload Image from URL
To upload an image using a URL, click the URL tab [1].
Enter the URL in the File URL field [2].
Manage Usage Rights
If required in your course, you may need to select usage right settings for your image.
In the Usage Right drop-down menu [1], select one of the five usage right options:
- I hold the copyright: original content created by you
- I have obtained permission to use this file: authorized permission by the author
- The material is in the public domain: explicitly assigned to public domain, cannot be copyrighted, or is no longer protected by copyright
- The material is subject to an exception - e.g. fair use, the right to quote, or others under applicable copyright laws: excerpt or summary used for commentary, news reporting, research, or analysis in education
- The material is licensed under Creative Commons: this option also requires setting a specific Creative Commons license
If known, enter the copyright holder information in the Copyright Holder field [2].
Manage Image Attributes
To add Alt Text to your image, type an alternative text description or text tags in the Alt Text field [1]. By default, the Alt Text field displays the image file name. Alt text is read by screen readers, and it displays when an embedded image cannot display.
If the image is decorative and does not require alt text, click the Decorative Image checkbox [2].
By default, the Embed Image display option is selected for embedded images [3].
To display the image file link, select the Display Text Link display option [4]. The file link will replace the image in the Rich Content Editor.
Embed Image Upload
To embed your selected image, click the Submit button.
Note: The image will flash before it embeds in the Rich Content Editor.
View Embedded Image
View your uploaded image in the Rich Content Editor. You can also add alt text tags and manage the image display options.
Update Image Options
To manage image options from an embedded image file, click the image [1], then click the Image Options link [2].
You can manage display options for embedded images in the Image Options menu [3]. You can manage the image Alt Text, the image size, and other display options.
To replace or update an image added via URL, enter an updated image URL in the File URL field [4].
Click the Done button [5].
Save Changes
Click the Save button.
Note: When using the Rich Content Editor in Discussions, the Save button may appear as the Reply button.
View Content
View the content created in the Rich Content Editor.
InstContentTeam
in
Canvas lets you embed video content within a page.
Notes:
- Canvas only supports secure video URLs (HTTPS) for embedding.
- Video playback defaults to the lowest resolution quality. Users can manage video playback options in the video settings menu.
Open Pages
In Course Navigation, click the Pages link.
View Pages
Pages is designed to open to the front page for the course, if there is a front page selected. To select a page from the Pages Index, click the View All Pages button.
Open Page
Click the title of the page you want to view.
Edit Page
Click the Edit button.
Open Insert Media Tool
Click the Media icon. You can upload and embed media files from your computer or from Canvas.
Notes:
- Media will be inserted at the location of your cursor in the Rich Content Editor.
- You can also upload and embed media files from external sources or YouTube.
Save Page
Click the Save button.
View Page
View the video embedded into your page.
ctitmus
in
You can embed an image file directly into discussion replies using toolbar and menubar options in the Rich Content Editor. You can upload images from your computer, from a website URL, or from your Canvas user files.
If a change is made to the source of your image after you have embedded it in a discussion reply, the image added to your discussion reply will not change.
Notes:
- Before you can embed an image from Canvas, the image must first be uploaded to your user files.
- You can embed a variety of image file types. Learn what types of image files you can embed.
- You can also attach a file to a discussion reply.
- If you post your discussion response before an attached image finishes uploading, Canvas displays a warning message.
Open Discussions
In Course Navigation, click the Discussions link.
Open Discussion
Click the discussion title.
Write Reply
Create a new discussion entry by clicking the Reply button.
Add Image from Toolbar
To add an image from the toolbar, click the Image icon [1].
To upload new images from your computer or a URL, select the Upload Image option [2].
To embed images from your user files, select the User Images option [3].
Note: To view the Image icon, you may have to click the Options icon [4].
Add Image from Menubar
You can also add an image 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 an image using the menubar, click the Insert menu [1], and select the Image option [2]. To upload new images from your computer or a URL, select the Upload Image option [3], or to embed images from your user files, select the User Images option [4].
Upload Image from Computer
By default, the Upload Image window displays the Computer tab [1]. To upload a file from your computer, click or drag and drop an image file to the image uploader [2]. Or, click the image uploader and select a file from your computer.
Note: Images uploaded from your computer are added to your user files.
Select File
If you click to upload a file, select the image file [1] and click the Open button [2].
You can learn about supported image file types.
View Selected File
Preview the image file name [1] and the image [2].
Note: To remove the image and select a different image, click the Delete icon [3].
Embed Image from URL
To embed an image using a URL, click the URL tab [1].
Enter the URL in the File URL field [2].
Manage Usage Rights
If required by your institution, you need to select usage right settings for your image.
In the Usage Right drop-down menu [1], select one of the five usage right options:
- I hold the copyright: original content created by you
- I have obtained permission to use this file: authorized permission by the author
- The material is in the public domain: explicitly assigned to public domain, cannot be copyrighted, or is no longer protected by copyright
- The material is subject to an exception - e.g. fair use, the right to quote, or others under applicable copyright laws: excerpt or summary used for commentary, news reporting, research, or analysis in education
- The material is licensed under Creative Commons: this option also requires setting a specific Creative Commons license
If known, enter the copyright holder information in the Copyright Holder field [2].
Manage Image Attributes
To add Alt Text to your image, type an alternative text description or text tags in the Alt Text field [1]. By default, the Alt Text field displays the image file name. Alt text is read by screen readers, and it displays when an embedded image cannot display.
If the image is decorative and does not require alt text, click the Decorative Image checkbox [2].
By default, the Embed Image display option is selected for embedded images [3].
To display the image file link, select the Display Text Link display option [4]. The file link will replace the image in the Rich Content Editor.
Embed Image
To embed your selected image, click the Submit button.
Note: The image flashes before it embeds in the Rich Content Editor.
View Embedded Image
View your uploaded image in the Rich Content Editor. You can also add or modify alt text tags and manage the image display options.
Post Reply
Click the Reply button.
View Discussion Reply
View your discussion reply.
InstContentTeam
in
You can insert an image file directly into discussion replies using the image icon. You can embed an image from a website URL or upload and embed an image from your Canvas files. If a change is made to the source of your image after you have embedded it in a discussion reply, the image added to your discussion reply does not be changed.
Notes:
- If you post your discussion response before an attached image finishes uploading, Canvas will display a warning message.
- You can embed a variety of image file types. Learn what types of image files you can embed.
Open Discussions
In Course Navigation, click the Discussions link.
Open Discussion
Click the discussion name.
Create Reply
Click the Reply button.
Add Image from Toolbar
To add an image from the toolbar, click the Image icon [1].
You can also upload an image from the image options menu. To view additional image options, click the Image Options arrow [2]. Then select the Upload Image option [3].
Note: To view the Image icon, you may have to click the Options icon [4].
Add Image from Menubar
You can also add an image 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 an image using the menubar, click the Insert menu [1], select the Image option [2]. You can upload new images and embed images from your course and user files [3].
Upload Image from Computer
By default, the Image Upload Tool displays the Computer tab [1]. Click or drag and drop an image file to the image uploader to upload a file from your computer [2].
Note: Images uploaded from your computer using the image upload tool are added to your course files.
Select File
Select the image file [1] and click the Open button [2].
Learn about supported image file types.
View Selected File
The uploader displays the image file name [1] and an image preview [2]. To remove the image, click the Delete icon [3].
Embed Image from URL
To embed an image using a URL, click the URL tab [1].
Enter the URL in the File URL field [2].
Manage Usage Rights
If required by your institution, you will need to select usage right settings for your image.
In the Usage Right drop-down menu [1], select one of the five usage right options:
- I hold the copyright: original content created by you
- I have obtained permission to use this file: authorized permission by the author
- The material is in the public domain: explicitly assigned to public domain, cannot be copyrighted, or is no longer protected by copyright
- The material is subject to an exception - e.g. fair use, the right to quote, or others under applicable copyright laws: excerpt or summary used for commentary, news reporting, research, or analysis in education
- The material is licensed under Creative Commons: this option also requires setting a specific Creative Commons license
If known, enter the copyright holder information in the Copyright Holder field [2].
Note: If you are not sure which usage right applies to your image, please consult your institutional admin for guidance.
Manage Image Attributes
To add Alt Text to your image, type an alternative text description or text tags in the Alt Text field [1]. By default, the Alt Text field displays the image file name. Alt text is read by screen readers, and it displays when an embedded image cannot display.
If the image is decorative and does not require alt text, click the Decorative Image checkbox [2].
By default, the Embed Image display option is selected for embedded images [3].
To display the image file link, select the Display Text Link display option [4]. The file link will replace the image in the Rich Content Editor.
Embed Image
To embed your selected image, click the Submit button.
Note: The image will flash before it embeds in the Rich Content Editor.
View Embedded Image
View your uploaded image in the Rich Content Editor. You can also add or modify alt text tags and manage the image display options.
Post Reply
Click the Reply button.
View Reply
View the discussion reply.
CaelenLencioni
in
This behavior has been resolved and deployed to the production environment as of 3/11/25
Description
-
When you have a # or ' in the file name of an image and embed that image into a new quiz it will display as broken after a few seconds.
Expected Behavior
-
Images which successfully upload should display to users
Workaround
-
For teachers who are running into this issue, they can re-name the files on their computer to remove the # or ' then re-upload and re-embed the files and they should display successfully (re-uploading with the # still in the name will allow the file to display for a few seconds / until they refresh the page)
Steps to Reproduce
Prerequisites: A course
-
Upload an image to the course files from your computer with a # in the file name.
-
Create a new quiz.
-
Add a question to the quiz with the image embedded in the question text (Insert > Image > Course Images > select image).
-
Refresh the page and notice the image is showing as broken.
-
Note: you may need to wait a little bit before refreshing as you have to wait for the link in the be updated to the new inst-fs style of links which occurs in a background job.
-
Additional Info
QUIZ-15425
Known issues indicate notable behaviors that have been escalated to the Canvas engineering team. Known issues are not a guarantee for an immediate resolution. This document is for informational purposes only and does not replace the Support process. If you are encountering the behavior outlined in this document, please ensure you have submitted a Support case (per your institution's escalation process) so Canvas Support can adequately gauge the overall customer impact and prioritize appropriately.
