4.7. Adding Files to a Course

To use images and other files in your course, you upload the files to your course by using Studio, and then you add links to the files in the course content. You can also use uploaded files in bulk email messages sent from the Instructor Dashboard.

4.7.1. File Size

The maximum size for an uploaded file is 50 MB.

We recommend that you use standard compression tools to reduce PDF and image file sizes before you add the files to your course. If you have to use files that are larger than 50 MB after compression, contact your edX program manager.

If you have video or audio files or large data sets to share with your students, use YouTube or another hosting service to host these files. Do not use the Files & Uploads page to add these files to your course. If you are an edX partner and you need to store large data sets, contact your edX program manager.

4.7.2. Upload a File

You upload the files in Studio on the Files & Uploads page.

Note

Ensure that you obtain copyright permissions for files and images you upload to your course, and that you cite sources appropriately.

To upload files:

  1. Create or locate the file on your computer.

    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. Avoid using file names that contain information about the file contents that should not be shared, such as Answerkey.pdf.

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

  3. Select Upload New File.

  4. In the Upload New File dialog box, select Choose File.

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

    Note

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

  6. To upload additional files, select Load Another File and repeat the previous step.

  7. To close the dialog box, select the X in the top right corner.

The Files & Uploads page refreshes to show the uploaded file.

4.7.3. Use File URLs to Reference Uploaded Files

After you upload a file, you can use the URLs listed for it. On the Files & Uploads page, the URL column lists a Studio URL and web URL for each file.

Use the web URL if you want to perform either of the following actions. Add a file or image to a bulk email message... Provide a link to the file or image from outside the course.

  • You use the Studio URL to add a file or image to a component, a course update, or course handouts. For more information, see Add an Image to an HTML Component. You cannot use the web URL to link to a file or image from within your course.
  • Use the Web URL to:

Note

You can lock a file if you do not want anyone outside your course to view the file. When you lock a file, the web URL only allows file access to learners who are signed in to edX and enrolled in the course. For more information, see Lock a File.

To copy a URL from the file list, select the URL in the URL column and copy it.

4.7.4. Sort Files

On the Files & Uploads page, you can sort your files by any column that has a blue column header. For example, to sort the list by name, select the Name column header.

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

4.7.5. 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, select the Type column header.
  2. In the drop-down 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, select Show All in the Type drop-down list.

4.7.6. 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.

  • Select 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. Select the number to place your cursor in the field, then enter the page number you want to jump to.

    Image showing page navigation on the Files & Uploads page.

4.7.7. Lock a File

By default, anyone can access a file you upload if they know the web URL, even if they are not enrolled in your course. You can prevent outside access to a file by locking the file. When you lock a file, the web URL only allows learners who are enrolled in your course and signed in to edX to access the file.

To lock a file, select the lock icon in the right column.

4.7.8. Delete a File

To delete a file, select the x icon in the row for file. You are prompted to confirm the deletion.

Warning

After you delete a file, links to the file from course content will be broken. You must update links to files that you need to delete.