Link to shared documents from content items and assignments

Updated 17 Aug 2021

Instructors can create links from assignments and other content items to uploaded files in Document Sharing. Students use the link to directly access the Document Sharing file, without needing to navigate through the course menu. A document link either downloads the file or opens it in a new window depending on the file type or the student’s browser and software settings.

Tips:

  • When you upload a document, be sure to select Entire Class for the Share setting to give students access to the document.
  • Do not upload the same file name more than once within a course.
  1. Select Document Sharing from the course menu or after selecting Course Tools or Communication Tools.
  2. Select Show Link next to the uploaded document you want to link to.

    The permanent URL for the document appears. If you select Hide Link you can later show and copy the same link again.

    You cannot link to files uploaded by students.

  3. Copy the complete URL.
  4. Select the content item or tool in the course menu you want to link from.
  5. Paste the link according to the steps for the particular item, editor, or linking tool. For example, you can:
    • Add your own media link within an assignment or custom question, if these tools are available in your course.
    • Add the document link within the content of any menu item or tool where you see the add a link icon  in the content editor’s toolbar. For example, you can add a link to the shared document in Content Pages, Discussion topics, Email, and the Syllabus tool.
    • Create a Linked Content menu item to link directly from the course menu to the shared document.
    • Embed a shared image or video document link in a Discussion topic with the insert media icon . Select the Add Image tab for an image link.

      Note: You cannot use the Add Video tab or the Embed Media tab in discussions for document links.

Caution: If you later edit a shared document and replace it with a different file name, the document's URL will change and links to that document from other content items or assignments in your course will break. Be sure to use the same file name when updating documents.