File Upload Canvas Assignment: OneDrive Option
This guide explains submitting files saved in OneDrive as a file upload to a Canvas Assignment.
Before deciding how you submit work for Canvas Assignments, carefully read all instructions and information presented in your Canvas course. Canvas Assignments are set up by your instructor and options vary according to the settings the instructor chooses to use. Contact your instructor if you are unsure of their expectations.
For reference, there are three ways to add Microsoft OneDrive files to Canvas as a student:
- File Upload Canvas Assignments is the method explained in this article.
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OneDrive for Students App is an option available in Text Entry Canvas Assignments and any Rich Content Editor (RCE) feature such as Discussions.
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OneDrive in Collaborations is used when an instructor wants you to work together on the same document with other people in the course.
For comparison to the File Uploads method described here, consider these other types of Canvas Assignments:
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No Submission: You are unable to take action in Canvas for these assignments.
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Text Entry: Use the rich content editor options to compose a response in Canvas - OneDrive for Students app
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Website URL: Paste any website URL into the space provided.
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Media Recordings: Use the media options to create your response.
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Student Annotation: Use the annotation options to mark up a file selected by the instructor.
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External Tool: Instructors may use a third-party tool from a textbook publisher or engagement platform.
In-Depth Walkthrough
For a hassle-free experience, use either Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome as your web browser.
After you have confirmed your Canvas Assignment accepts file uploads, save your work to Microsoft OneDrive. It's important to save your work in your UIW OneDrive to successfully use this method for submitting an assignment in Canvas. Do not use a personal Microsoft account.
Step 1
Navigate to your Canvas assignment. Your course might have an Assignments link in the course menu or require you to get there through Modules.
Step 2
Click the title of the assignment that you'd like to submit.
Step 3
Under the Choose a Submission type, click the more option, and select Microsoft OneDrive from the drop-down menu.
Step 4
Within the assignment window, you'll see a prompt to sign in using a Microsoft account. Use your UIW email and password to sign in.
It may take a few moments for the Pick an Account window to appear for you to select the @student.uiwtx.edu address. If you do not see a pop-up or aren't redirected to pick an account, you might have pop-ups blocked within your browser. Try again using either Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
Step 5
Locate the file you'd like to upload. Check mark the name of the file, then click the Submit button. Note you cannot select Folders, only individual files.
Step 6
After a moment, you'll see the selected file populate under File Name. To submit more than one file, repeat steps 3-5 to select another file, and add it to the submission list.
Once you're finished selecting your file(s), click the Submit Assignment button.
File Upload: OneDrive Option FAQ
Why should I use the OneDrive option to upload files directly from my computer?Canvas does not support file uploads larger than 5 GB. While most assignments won't exceed that limit, OneDrive offers an alternative if you encounter a storage quota error or technical issue while uploading files directly from your computer.
Where are the instructions for submitting all types of Canvas assignments?The Canvas Student Guide covers every submission method, including:
How do I know my assignment was submitted successfully?Always verify that your assignment was submitted. After submission, view the assignment submission details to confirm that it was turned in.
How do I know when my assignment has been graded?When your course grades are updated, the Grades link in Course Navigation will show an indicator. The Grades page displays which assignments have been graded.
Can I download all my Canvas assignment submissions?Yes. Students can download all assignment submissions from both current and concluded courses. The download includes original submissions—even for group assignments submitted by other group members—but does not include instructor-annotated versions. The download will be in a ZIP file.
Can I use my personal Microsoft account in Canvas?No. To access all available tech features and avoid errors, use your UIW email and password to log in with your school account.
Who do I contact for help with my UIW Microsoft account or password?The UIW Help Desk provides technical support for student account and access issues.