Overview
Canvas provides online storage and file sharing in three places: Course Files, Personal Files, and Group Files. This article includes aspects of each place and offers alternative ways to share media and not affect your course or account files quota. - Course and Account Files
Table of Contents
Canvas Course File Quota (Instructors) - 500 MB
Course File Storage includes any files uploaded into the course (Files, Syllabus, Assignments, etc.).
Course Media Files
Media can require a lot of file space. Media files under 500 MB can be embedded in Canvas using the Rich Content Editor, but this is not recommended because it often fails. See alternative options below on how to manage your video content.
Media Files over 500 MB (integrated apps)
The best way to facilitate large video files is to embed them using an application outside of Canvas. Below are some we recommend.
- EchoVideo: Use the easy embed tool within all Pages, Assignments, Quizzes, Discussions. or Announcement content types.
- OneDrive: Share a link from your SVSU OneDrive.
- Teams: Share a Teams meeting recording.
Tip: MS Teams, OneDrive, and Zoom integrate with EchoVideo. You can upload media manually or set up automatic syncing of recordings to your Library.
Media Files under 500 MB (upload/media tool)
Using the Upload/Media tool in Canvas (common issues and limitations)
Look for the Media icon in the Rich Content Editor to Record Media or Upload Media to Canvas (Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, Quizzes, Syllabus, Speedgrader).
- Pros: Files are stored behind-the-scenes on the Canvas video server (Kaltura) and do not count toward your course quota.
- Cons: Your network connection and file size can affect your submission. Upload speeds can be slow, and there are no warnings or no indication that the media you are uploading will fail until it does.
User Storage Quota Exceeded
- Exceeding your storage quota prevents you from uploading files to Discussions and My Files.
- To make room for more file uploads, delete files in My files and conversation attachments until the total file size is under 200 MB.
- My Files (personal files you have uploaded to Canvas).
- Conversation attachments (files uploaded to Inbox in Canvas) are removed, they will no longer be part of that conversation message. Note: Removing “profile pictures” won’t help.
Personal Files quota - 200 MB
Students can upload or attach files to their own personal file space in Canvas. Some submission types also count towards their personal files quota.
- The following file submissions do not count against your Personal Files quota:
- Files uploaded to assignments.
- Files uploaded to graded discussions.
- The following File submissions do count against personal storage quota:
- Files uploaded directly into your personal file storage area
- Files uploaded to ungraded discussions
- Files attached to “Conversations” (Inbox/Email)
- Submissions that count towards a students' personal files quota are automatically added to the "unfiled" folder.
View User Files as a Student in Canvas, go to Account > Files > My Files
- Your File size is seen at the bottom, below all folders (refer to the image above).
- After deleting files, refresh your browser by pressing F5 (on your keyboard) to see the new file size.
Comparison of how file storage is affected in My Files in Canvas
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Folders
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How are files added and where?
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Count in Quota
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Can I delete these files?
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conversation attachments
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Files you attach to a conversation. User's conversation attachments folder.
If you delete a file, it will no longer be associated with a conversation message.
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Yes
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Yes, it will be removed from the conversation message.
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profile pictures
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Pictures you uploaded to your profile
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No
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Yes
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Submissions / Graded Discussions
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Files uploaded to assignments or graded discussion go into their Submissions folder.
Graded discussion attachments go into the unfiled folder.
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No
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No, system protected.
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unfiled / ungraded Discussions
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Files you upload to your personal Files area and attachments to Ungraded discussions go to user's unfiled folder. If you delete the file, it will no longer be associated with the ungraded discussion post.
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Yes
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Yes, will be removed from an ungraded discussion.
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Tip: Files submitted to courses that have been concluded are not automatically deleted from the student’s personal file storage area.
Canvas Storage Full? - Use OneDrive (work or school)
You can upload your file to OneDrive and share your file. Visit https://svsu0-my.sharepoint.com/ Note: If you are not logged in you will be prompted to verify your account with Multi-factor Authentication (MFA). The links below will take you directly to step by step instructions.
Tip: Use EchoVideo to store media files and post them to Canvas. If you have playable media and your Canvas storage is full, you can upload audio or video files to your EchoVideo Library. Available for instructors, teaching assistants, and students.
Group Files quota - 50 MB
Students can upload files into Group Files for group collaboration; they DO NOT affect their personal files quota. Files that count against the course storage limits are as follows: Any files uploaded into the group by the group members and/or instructor.
- Group files are available to all students enrolled in the group, and the course teachers.
- All members have the same permissions to manage all the files.