How to use a OneDrive with Canvas

Using OneDrive and Microsoft 365 files with Canvas

When OneDrive files are shared via the Microsoft Education app, a separate copy of the file is created and stored in a SharePoint site for the course. Editing the original file in OneDrive will have no impact on the shared copy.

  • Attach Microsoft 365 files including Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel from the Rich Content Editor.
  • Distribute Microsoft 365 cloud assignments.
  • View and organize your personal and course Microsoft OneDrive files.
  • Create collaborations where course members can work together on shared documents in real time.
  • Access multiple Microsoft OneDrive accounts, including personal and school accounts.
  • Integrate Microsoft 365 files with your course modules.

Collaborate using OneDrive

Canvas Collaborations allows students to work collaboratively on OneDrive documents. Both students and instructors can start a collaboration. Student-initiated collaborations are accessible to instructors even if the instructor is not added as a collaborator.

  1. To start, select Collaborations in the course navigation menu on the left side of the page.
  2. Select the blue +Collaboration button on the top right of the page, and then select Microsoft Education from the drop-down menu.
  3. Choose the starting point for your collaboration by doing one of the following:
    • Create a new file: Open the Blank Document Type menu and select Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. Then enter your document name, and add a description if you wish.
    • Use an existing OneDrive file: Choose Select Existing Documentto access the OneDrive file picker. Then select the file to collaborate on and choose Select.
  4. Select the people and/or groups to collaborate with.
  5. When you're satisfied with your document and collaborator sections, choose Create.

Add a OneDrive file to a module

Using the Microsoft Education app, instructors can add OneDrive files as module items.

  1. Open the Modules tool.
  2. In the module to which you wish to add a OneDrive file, select the + (Add item) icon in the upper right.
  3. In the "Add Item" pop-up, open the Add menu and select External Tool. Then choose Microsoft Education from the list.
  4. The "Microsoft Education" window will open.  Under "Open from OneDrive", choose Select OneDrive file to open the OneDrive file picker.
  5. Locate and select the file you would like to add to the module. Then choose Select.
  6. After a brief "Uploading" message, you'll be returned to the "Add Item" pop-up. Select Add item to complete the process.

Embed or link to a OneDrive file in the Canvas editor

Instructors and students can use the Microsoft Education tool to embed or link to OneDrive files in content created with the Canvas Rich Content Editor, including pages, assignments, announcements, quizzes, etc.

  1. In the Canvas editor, place your cursor where you want to embed or link to a OneDrive file.
  2. In the editing toolbar, select the Apps icon (Apps icon).  Then search for and select Microsoft Education to open the OneDrive file picker.
  3. Select the file you wish to share and choose Embed (to embed the file within the page) or Link to insert a link to the file.
  4. After a brief "Uploading" message, the embedded file or link will be added to the content area in the editor.
  5. Continue editing or save your work.

Submit a OneDrive file to an assignment (Instructions for Students)

For assignments requiring a file submission, students can use Microsoft Education to access and select a OneDrive file for submission.

  1. Open the assignment in Canvas.
  2. Under "Choose a submission type", select More for more submission options.
  3. From the More menu, select Microsoft Education.
  4. The OneDrive file picker will appear in the lower portion of the page. You may be prompted to sign in before you can access your files. Use your IU email address and select the Work or school account option.
  5. In the OneDrive file picker, navigate to and select the file you wish to submit. Then select Submit. You will see a brief "Uploading" message, after which your file will be listed as an attachment to the assignment.
  6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 to attach additional OneDrive files to your submission, if needed.
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