Canvas Files Quota

Overview - Course and Account Files

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.

Article Sections


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 (embed media outside of Canvas)

The best way to facilitate large video files is to embed them using an application outside of Canvas. Below are some we recommend.

  • EchoVideo
    • For re-use of videos. Use interactive media slides such as embedded quiz questions or use student and instructor collaborative classroom tools and gather rich analytics. Get Started with EchoVideo (Quick Guide).
  • Microsoft Stream (on SharePoint)
    • Store your videos in Microsoft Stream then provide a share link or embed in the Rich Content Editor for your students. Stream allows everyone with an SVSU email address to view your videos or they can be shared externally.  Get Started with Microsoft Stream (on SharePoint)
  • Microsoft Sway

Media Files under 500 MB (embed in Canvas or outside of Canvas)

Embed in Canvas (Not Recommended)

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).

  • Files are stored behind-the-scenes on the Canvas video server (Kaltura) and do not count toward your course quota.
This is not recommended because 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.

Embed outside of Canvas

Follow instructions for Media Files over 500 MB above

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) once files 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

 
 

  • See your File size at the bottom, below all folders.
  • Refresh your browser (F5) after deleting files to see the new File size.

Comparison of how file storage is affected in My Files in Canvas

Folders

How are files added and where?

Count in Quota

Can I delete these files?

conversation attachments

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.

Yes

Yes, it will be removed from the conversation message.

profile pictures

Pictures you uploaded to your profile

No

Yes

Submissions / Graded Discussions

Files uploaded to assignments or graded discussion go into their Submissions folder.
Graded discussion attachments go into the unfiled folder.

No

No, system protected.

unfiled / ungraded Discussions

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.

Yes

Yes, will be removed from an ungraded discussion.

Files submitted to previous courses (courses that have been concluded). They are not automatically deleted from the student’s personal file storage area.

Canvas Storage Full? - Use OneDrive (work or school)

Is your account or course files full? Use OneDrive. 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. OneDrive Help (SVSU) - OneDrive for Business (work or school).
OneDrive Training (Microsoft Support)

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.
Print Article

Related Articles (3)

Canvas Help - Main Page
Canvas is the learning management system used at SVSU. Canvas allows instructors to organize their courses and course content so students can find the materials they need quickly and easily. Canvas includes tools for announcements, assignments, quizzes, grades, discussion and more.
EchoVideo: Quick Guide for Instructors
EchoVideo provides engagement tools, allows faculty to record videos anywhere, and share content in Canvas. Works with Teams, OneDrive, and Zoom (pro-account only).
Retirement of Microsoft Stream (Classic) Links - What do I need to do?
Stream Classic is retired as of February 15, 2025, it was a separate video tool part of Microsoft 365. If you have video links, you were sharing in Canvas those will no longer work. We recommend uploading your videos to EchoVideo to share your videos with students.