Posting Web Links (URLs)

You cannot store web links (URLs) in the Canvas Files area.  However, there are two main workarounds we recommend.

Create a "web links" document in your course files

While individual web links cannot be stored in the Files area directly, you can very easily create a document (.doc, .pdf, etc.) that contains a list of all the web links you want your students to have access to, and then upload the document to your course Files area.  Students can then access the document in the course Files area or download a copy for themselves.  The drawback to this approach is that whenever you edit the document (adding or removing links), you must upload a new copy to the Files area.  However, if you have a standard list of web links you use in your course and don't need to edit it throughout the term, this approach is a very simple and easy option.

 

Create a "web links" page in your course site

The Pages feature in Canvas allows you to create "webpages" that are part of your course site.  Pages are created using the same content editor you see throughout Canvas, such as when creating an assignment, quiz, announcement, etc.  Once you've created a page and given it an appropriate title (such as Course Links), you can copy/paste web links directly onto the page.  Students can then navigate to the page whenever they need to access one of the course links.  The best thing about this approach is that it is very easy to continually edit a page throughout the term.  Pages can be edited within a matter of seconds and do not require any uploading or downloading.

See how to create a Page in your course site Links to an external site.

 

Bonus Option: Add a link to the course navigation using the Redirect tool

A third option may be to use the Redirect tool to add permanent links to the course navigation menu.  This is especially useful if you have external sites that your students regularly interact with throughout the term (e.g., a professional organization's website, a style guide, an expert's blog, etc.).  

See how to add a link to the course navigation menu using the Redirect tool

 

Click here to return to the last page of the Course Files: Uploading and Usage module