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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 - 500 MB
Course File Storage includes any files uploaded into the course Files that are unique to SVSU and the course's assignment submissions.
- Click Files, to see a course's file size, bottom-left, below the left pane.
- Files uploaded directly into Course Files by Instructors count toward the Course Quota, (not their personal File Quota).
- Instructors have the option to restrict course file access from students by hiding the course Files link or locking course folders and files, so they won't be visible to students.
Course Media Files (not recommended for storing media)
Media can require a lot of file space. See alternative options below on how to manage your video content.
Media Files under 500 MB
Use the Record/Upload Media tool in the Rich Content Editor to record or upload videos in Canvas look for the Media icon (e.g., Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, Quizzes, Syllabus), and even in Speed Grader to comment on students' assignments.
- Files are stored behind-the-scenes on the Canvas video server (Kaltura) and do not count toward your course quota.
Your network connection and file size can affect your submission. Upload speeds can be slow, there are no warnings or no indication that the media you are uploading will fail until it does.
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
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.
User Account Files quota - 200 MB
Students can upload or attach files for Course assignments or discussions.
- These files are automatically stored in students' own personal files (in the "unfiled" folder).
- Student-submitted files count toward the Course File quota, not toward the Personal File quota. Files that do count against personal storage limits are:
- Files uploaded directly into your personal file storage area
- Files uploaded to ungraded assignments
- Files uploaded to ungraded discussions
- Files attached to “Conversations” (Inbox/Email)
View User Files as a Student in Canvas, go to Account > 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
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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 as a graded assignment or 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 Ungraded discussion attachments. User's unfiled folder. If you delete the file, it will no longer be associated with an ungraded discussion post.
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Yes
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Yes, will be removed from an ungraded discussion.
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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)
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.