Inline Document Viewing

Canvas Teaching Tips - Get the most out of Canvas

Canvas Teaching Tips are distributed by the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences Online and Academic Technology Services office and offer SHORT helpful tips about Canvas, online learning, and academic technology.

Click here for more Canvas Teaching Tips

Inline Document Viewing

What is inline document viewing in Canvas? Inline viewing opens a document right on a page without a student having to click a link or download the document.

By using the “Preview inline” display option, you can create a page, write an introduction, and then link to a document in Canvas* that will open automatically just below your text. This works great for articles, presentations, and any other information you want students to view.

Click here to view an example: Document Link Viewing Options (See "View Option 2")

* The document they will be viewing needs to be saved in the files area of Canvas.

Note regarding PowerPoint: It is usually best to convert a PowerPoint to PDF before you post it in Canvas. The file will open much quicker. There is also less of a chance that the text and layout will be distorted by the document viewer when it is posted as a PDF instead of a PowerPoint document.

Example of Inline Document Viewer in Canvas. A word bubble with text which reads Introductory Text is pointing to a Canvas page with text which reads Please review the presentation below paying close attention to the information on slides 8 through 12. This is information we will discuss and will be important for the midterm exam. The next word bubble has text which reads Link to download document and an arrow pointing to the download icon on the Canvas page next to text which reads Globalization Presentation. The next word bubble has text which reads PDF of slide presentation that opens automatically on the page and an arrow pointing to an example of an embedded PowerPoint that has an image of a global map with the word Presentation across the map

Document Link Viewing Options

When linking to files you have saved in Canvas from a Canvas Page you have several different options for how students will view them:

Preview in Overlay - This is the default setting. It allows users to view a file preview in an overlay window when the link is clicked from the page. Click here to see an example of "Preview in Overlay" (See "View Option 1")
Preview Inline – This allows users to view an in-line preview, but only when the link on the page is clicked.
Preview Inline, with "Expand Preview by Default" selected - When this setting is selected, the document will automatically open for students to view on the page. Click here to see an example of "Preview Inline," with "Expand Preview by Default" selected (See "View Option 2")

For more information and how to set up document viewing on a Canvas Page visit How do I embed documents from Canvas in the Rich Content Editor as an instructor?

NEED HELP?

Canvas help is easy to find and always available. Click the Help button in the Canvas global navigation for 24 hour support and great help guides.

Click here to view a guide on using Canvas Help

Learn more!

If you'd like to learn more about this Canvas tip, or Canvas in general, please contact our office at 405.325.5854 or casonline@ou.edu.