5.3. Adding Files to a Course

To use images in your course content, or to use other documents such as a syllabus, you must upload the files to the Files and Uploads page, then link to the uploaded files from a component in your course.

5.3.1. Overview

You can manage your uploaded course files on the Files and Uploads page under the Content menu in Studio.

5.3.2. Upload a File

You can upload files that you want students to access in the course. After you upload a file, you can link to it from a component, from a course update, or in the course handouts, using the generated URLs on the Files and Uploads page. Students can see a file only if you create a link to it.

Note

When URLs are generated for uploaded files, the file name becomes part of the URL and is visible to students when they access the file. You should avoid using file names that contain information about the file contents that should not be shared, for example, Answerkey.pdf.

Warning

For PDF and image files, edX recommends that you use standard compression tools to reduce the file size before you add them to your course.

If you have files that are larger than 50 MB after compression and need them for your course, contact your edX program manager.

Furthermore, do not add video or audio files, or large data sets that are to be used by students. You should use YouTube or another hosting service to host multimedia files for your course. For information about storing large data sets for student use, contact your edX program manager.

To upload files:

  1. From the Content menu, select Files & Uploads.

  2. Click Upload New File.

  3. In the Upload New File dialog box, click Choose File.

  4. In the Open dialog box, select one or more files to upload, then click Open.

    Note

    If you upload a file that has the same name as an existing course file, the original file is overwritten without warning.

  1. To upload additional files, click Load Another File and repeat the previous step.
  2. To close the dialog box, click the X in the top right corner.

You see the new files on the Files & Uploads page.

5.3.3. Use File URLs to Reference Uploaded Files

After you upload a file, you can link to it from a component, from a course update, or in the course handouts, using the generated URLs on the Files and Uploads page. On the Files & Uploads page, the URL column lists the Studio URL and web URL for each file.

  • To link to the file or image from within a course (that is, from a component, a course update, or a course handout), use the Studio URL. You cannot use the web URL to link to a file or image from within your course.
  • To provide a link to the file or image from outside the course, use the web URL.

Note

If you lock a file, the web URL no longer works for external access to the file, unless the person accessing the URL is enrolled in and logged in to the course.

To copy a URL from the file list, double click the URL in the URL column so that the value is selected, then copy it.

5.3.4. Sort Files

On the Files & Uploads page, by default, files are sorted by the Date Added column, with the most recently added files at the top.

You can sort your files by any column that has a blue column header. For example, to sort the list by name, click the Name column header.

Change the sort order by clicking a sortable column header. The direction of the arrow in the column header indicates whether the order is ascending or descending. Each time you click the column header, the sort order reverses.

The current sort order is shown at the top of the file list, and the active sort column header is underlined.

5.3.5. Filter Files

You can filter the list of files by type so that only a selected type of file is visible. The list remains in the current sort order.

Type File Types Include
Images .gif, .ico, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, or .tiff
Documents .pdf, .txt, Microsoft Office and Open Office documents, presentations, or spreadsheets
Other Files not included in the other types, such as .html, .js, or .sjson

To filter the list of files by type:

  1. On the Files & Uploads page, click the Type column header.
  2. In the dropdown list, select the type of file that you want to view.

The list refreshes to show only the type of file you selected, and the column header changes to reflect the type of file that you have filtered by.

To reset the list and view files of all types, click Show All in the Type dropdown list.

5.3.6. Find Files

The Files & Uploads page lists up to 50 files. If your course has more than 50 files, additional files are listed on other pages.

The range of the files listed on the page, and the total number of files, are shown at the top of the page.

You can navigate through the pages in these ways:

  • Use the < and > buttons at the top and bottom of the list to navigate to the previous and next pages.

  • At the bottom of the page, you can edit the first number in the page range. Click the number to place your cursor in the field, then enter the page number you want to jump to.

    Image showing the pair of page numbers at the bottom of the Files and Uploads pages with the first number in editable mode and circled

5.3.7. Lock a File

By default, anyone can access a file you upload if they know the URL, even people not enrolled in your class.

To ensure that those not in your class cannot view the file, click the lock icon.

Note

If you lock a file, the web URL no longer works for external access to the file, unless the person accessing the URL is enrolled in and logged in to the course.

5.3.8. Delete a File

To delete a file, click the x icon next to the file. You are prompted to confirm the deletion.

Warning

If you delete a file that has been linked from a course component, those links will be broken. Before deleting files that are used in a course, make sure you update the links to those files in the course.