Text editor functions

Later on, you will learn about discussion forums, assignments, and quizzes. First, it is important that you learn how the Canvas text editor works so that you can complete the forums, assignments, and tests successfully.

Although it has the same features, the text editor appearance is different for discussion forums and assignments. Basically, the main difference is in the buttons for Post Reply and Submit Assignment. Another difference is that when attaching files to the forum, you must click on the left button that reads Attach, whereas in the text editor for assignments, you must go to the File Upload tab.

Appearance of text editor in Forums:

Display of the text editor in Assignment:

Important Notice: Regarding assignments, you may submit your work using only one method. For example, you will not be able to submit a written contribution via Text Entry and also submit it via File Upload. You must choose one or the other. Please refer to the following images.

Text editor options

The editor offers several options to modify the text and integrate elements that can enrich your written contribution.

Image caption:

Text size
With this funtion you may delete or apply any text formatting.
These functions will let you apply bold, italic, and underline, as well as change the font color, highlight, and apply subscript (x2) and superscript (x2) to the selected text.
This function allows you to create or delete a link.
With this function you will be able to insert an image.
Through this function, you may record a video or insert an audio or video file.
This function allows you to upload or select documents that you have saved in your Canvas files.
Applications integrated into Canvas
With this function, you can align text to the left, center or right, make a list of bullet points, numbers, or letters, and insert or remove indentations.

More text editor functions

By clicking on the vertical dots located at the right end, the following functions will appear:

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This function allows you to erase the formatting applied to the text.
Creating tables
Function to insert a mathematical equation
Embed code

It is possible to find the same options mentioned above in the text editor’s top menu:

Edit - allows you to cut, copy and paste text.
View - allows you to enlarge the screen or see the HTML editor.
Insert - allows you to insert links, images, multimedia, documents, equations, tables, etc.
Format - allows you to apply bold, italics, underline, strikethrough, and other functions to the typed text.
Tools - allows you to count words and access applications.
Table - allows you to insert and delete tables.

Creating tables
You may create tables by accessing any of the following text editor options:

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By clicking on the option for creating tables, you may choose the number of columns and rows along with the height and width of the table, among other options. Click on Table and a series of blank cells will appear. Shade the number of cells you wish to include in your table. They will be automatically inserted into the text editor.

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Creating and deleting links

Click on the link symbol to create a link. You may choose between creating External Links or Course Links.

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2. To create a link outside of the Canvas platform, choose External Links. A screen like the one shown below will open. Under Text, write the name or the text you wish to link. Under Link, type the website address you wish to link to, and then click Done.

3. The link will appear as shown below:

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You may also create links by shadowing the previously written text:

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If you wish to create a link within the Canvas Platform, choose Links. You will be able to choose between the course content links or your own files.

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If you created a link but wish to delete it, you must shadow it and click on the Remove Link button. This will cause the link to be broken.

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Adding images

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By clicking on the insert image function, the text editor will allow you to add images in 2 ways: through the Upload Image option or through your Canvas files by using the User Images option.

Under the Upload Image function, you will find 3 options:

1. Computer - allows you to upload an image from your computer.

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2. Unsplash - allows you to search for images from a photo gallery.

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URL - allows you to place a web address where the image is located.

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You can write attributes for the image by using Alt Text (alternative text used by screen readers to describe the content of an image).

When finished, click on the Submit button to upload the image or photo:

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Under the User Images option, you may choose images previously saved in Canvas:

When choosing this option, all the pictures under your Canvas account will appear:

To add an image, click on the image you want to upload, and it will automatically be inserted in your contribution or assignment:

Mathematical equations

Inside the text editor, click on the marked option to insert mathematical equations.

The screen shown below will appear. It has several features that will allow you to create a mathematical exercise with ease. Once you are done, click on the Insert Equation button to insert it in the text editor.

Recording and uploading videos and audio files using the text editor

Select the Text Entry (for assignments) and then choose the Upload/Record Media icon.

By clicking on this button, you will be able to:

Make a new audio or video recording.
Upload an existing audio or video file from your computer.

To create a new multimedia recording (Record Media)

Choose the Record button. Make sure you have a microphone available to record audio and a webcam to record video.

Click on Start Recording to record video.

If you only wish to record audio, click on the Webcam button, and select No Video.

When you have finished recording either a video or audio file only, click on the Finish button. You may also redo the recording by selecting the Start Over button.

Once you are done recording, you can playback the video or audio you have just made by clicking the Play icon (blue button). Also, you will be able to name the file using the blank box. Click the Save Media button to save your recording.

Then click Submit Assignment to submit the file.

Uploading audio or video files:

Make sure that you have selected the Upload Multimedia/Computer tab.

Choose the file you wish to upload from your computer.
- Accepted audio formats:
  - rm – Real Media
  - mp3 – Digital Audio Format
  - wma – Windows Media Audio
- Accepted video formats:
  - flv – Flash Video
  - swf – Macromedia flash
  - asf – Microsoft Media
  - aqt – Apple Quicktime
  - mov – Apple Quicktime
  - mpg – Digital Video Format
  - mpeg – Digital Video Format
  - avi – Digital Video Format
  - wav – Digital Video Format
  - m4v – Digital Video Format
  - wmv – Windows Media
  - mp4 – Digital Video Format
  - 3gp – Multimedia Mobile Format

Choose the file you wish to use and click Open or OK (this will depend on your computer.)

The file will start to upload. Once it is done, click on the Submit button.

When the file is uploaded, a screen as shown below will appear. Once your contribution is ready, click on the Post Reply button (if you are using the discussion forum text editor) or Submit Assignment (if you are in the assignment text editor).

- Discussion Forum image

Assignment Image