Canvas: Accepted File Types

Tags Canvas

Naming

When naming any file to upload into Canvas, please follow these guidelines:

Use the following in your filenames:

  • Letters (ABCabc...)
  • Numbers (0123456789)
  • Underscores ( _ )
  • Document File Extension (Always include the document file extension, such as .docx or .pdf)

Avoid the following:

  • Special characters ( ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * etc. )
  • Spaces (While technically supported, it is best to avoid spaces)
  • Long File Names (Limit file name character length to 60 characters or less)

Accepted File Formats

You can upload specific images, videos, and audio files in Canvas course sites. Use an accepted file format suggested below:

When will I be able to access my courses?

The following file types are supported for Canvas DocViewer:

  • doc / .docx
  • .key
  • .numbers
  • .odf
  • .odg
  • .odp
  • .ods
  • .odt
  • .pages
  • .pdf
  • .ppt / .pptx
  • .rtf
  • .sxc
  • .sxi
  • .sxw
  • .txt
  • .xls / .xlsx
Supported Image Formats

Canvas will accept the following image files:

  • BMP - Windows Bitmap
  • GIF - Graphics Interchange Format
  • JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group
  • SVG - Scalable Vector Graphics
  • TIFF - Adobe Systems
  • PNG - Portable Network Graphics

Note: TIF and TIFF file previews are not native to most browsers and may not preview in Canvas.

Supported Video Formats

The Canvas media player supports H.264 video playback. Canvas will accept the following video files for playback:

  • FLV – Flash Video
  • ASF – Windows Media
  • QT – Apple QuickTime
  • MOV – Apple QuickTime
  • MPG – Digital Video Format

  • MPEG – Digital Video Format
  • AVI – Digital Video Format
  • M4V – Digital Video Format

  • WMV – Windows Media

  • MP4 – Digital Video Format

  • 3GP – Multimedia Mobile Format

For tips about media compressions and playback quality, view Vimeo's Video Compression Guidelines.

Supported Audio Formats

Canvas will accept the following audio files for playback:

  • MP3 – Digital Audio Format

  • WAV - Waveform Audio File
  • WMA – Windows media audio
  • WMV – Windows Media


Additional Resources

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