How to Upload and Embed Media to Your Canvas Course
Using the Rich Content Editor, you can upload and embed media files from your computer, or record video directly from your webcam using the Canvas Media Tool. Students can also use this tool to complete Media Recording assignments, which are one of the options available when making Online Assignments in Canvas.
Users can record media for any length of time, but shorter media recordings are recommended. If your media is longer than 15 minutes, you may want to consider recording and uploading using Panopto. Longer media recordings require more time to render and may be interrupted without a stable internet connection.
When uploading media, please refer to this list of Canvas 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 or Panopto and embed it using the Rich Content Editor. To learn more about compatible media files in Canvas, view the Canvas Media Comparison grid at Canvas.
Media uploaded with this tool are saved in the Uploaded Media folder in your Course Files or Group Files. Media recorded with this tool are saved in the Uploaded Media folder in your User Files or Group Files, depending on where it is recorded. If media is recorded for an assignment submission, the media file is stored in the student’s User Files.
Canvas videos also support caption files. Once you upload a video, learn how to add captions to a video.
Note: The Safari browser does not support recording media. Please use Chrome or Firefox to record media from the Rich Content Editor.
Open Rich Content Editor
Open the Rich Content Editor. Several features in Canvas support the Rich Content Editor, including Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, and Quizzes.
Upload/Record Media from Toolbar
To record or upload media from the toolbar, click the Media icon [1].
You can also upload media from the media options menu. To view additional media options, click the Media Options arrow [2]. Then select the Upload/Record Media option [3].
To view the Media icon, you may have to click the Options icon [4].
Upload/Record Media from Menu bar
Click the Insert link [1]. Navigate to view the Media options [2], and select the Record/Upload Media option [3].
Upload Media from Computer
By default, the Upload/Record Media Tool displays the Computer tab [1]. 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].
Record Media from a Webcam
You can also record a new video instead of uploading an existing video. To do this, click the Record tab.
Select Mic and Webcam Options
The media recorder connects to your computer’s default microphone and web cam.
To change your microphone settings, click the Mic button [1]. Then select from the displayed options [2].
To change your webcam settings, click the Webcam button [3]. To disable video recording, select the No Video option [4].
Record Media
Click the Start Recording button.
Finish Media Recording
The media recorder displays the length of your current recording [1].
To restart your recording, click the Start Over button [2].
To finish your recording, click the Finish button [3].
Preview Recorded Media
After you have uploaded or recorded your media, you can preview your media in the media recorder [1].
To title your media, type in the Title field [2].
To embed your media in the Rich Content Editor, click the Save button [3].
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 Post Reply button.
View Content
View the content created in the Rich Content Editor.