Using OneDrive in Canvas

Canvas supports an LTI integration with Microsoft OneDrive and allows instructors to use, create, share, and collaborate on Office 365 files within Canvas.

On this page: 

Access Your OneDrive Files within the Rich Content Editor

You can upload files from OneDrive into your Canvas course anywhere where you can use the Rich Content Editor within the Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, Quizzes, and Syllabus feature.

  1. In the Rich Content Editor within an Announcement, Assignment, Discussion, Page, Quiz, or Syllabus, click the orange Office 365 button.
  2. Put a check next to your desired file and select Attach File.

Add OneDrive Files to a Module

OneDrive Files can be added directly to a Module.

  1. In the Module where you wish to add your file click the + button.
  2. Choose External Tool from the drop-down menu.
  3. Select Office 365 from the list of tools.
  4. Put a check next to your desired file and click Attach File.
  5. Click Add Item.

Create Collaborations from Your OneDrive

You can create collaborations with a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file in your OneDrive, so learners can work together on shared documents in real-time. This is great for group project collaborations.

  1. Click Collaborations in your course navigation.
  2. Click the +Start a New Collaboration button.
  3. Choose a document type and enter in your collaboration details.
  4. The collaboration defaults to the People tab. Select the user or users you wish to have access to the collaboration.  Instructors automatically have access to any collaboration created in the course.
  5. You can also create collaborations with groups. To select an entire group, click the Groups tab. Select the group(s) you want to add to the collaboration. You may need to click Authorize App to get Groups to access your Canvas groups the first time.
  6. Click the Save button to save the collaboration.

Create Cloud Assignments from Your OneDrive

You can create an online assignment that embeds a Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or Excel file directly from their OneDrive. Cloud assignments are created using the External Tool submission type. When students open the assignment, a unique copy of the document is created and added to the student’s OneDrive folder. Instructors can view the final submission for each student’s edited copy of the assignment in SpeedGrader for grading.

  1. Click Assignments in your course navigation.
  2. Click the +Assignment button to add a new assignment.
  3. Enter in your assignment details.
  4. Under Submission Type, select External Tool.
  5. Click the Find button.
  6. Select Office 365 Cloud Assignment.
  7. Select the file from your OneDrive account that you wish to embed and click Attach.
  8. After the window closes, click Select under the Configure External Tool window to finish embedding the file.
  9. When you are finished adding in your assignment details, click Save & Publish to publish the assignment.
  10. Students will have a copy of the document added to their own OneDrive which they can edit.  When they are finished, the assignment page has a Submit button that will submit their copy.  Use SpeedGrader to view, grade and provide feedback on student submissions.
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