Text Editor Features

It is important that you first know how the text editor in Canvas works so that you can successfully complete forums, assignments and tests. Later, you will learn more about discussion forums, assignments and tests.

Even though the text editor has the same features, it has a different display for the forum and the assignment. The difference basically consists on the Post Reply and Submit Assignment buttons. Another difference is the way to attach files. To attach a file in the forum, you must click on the Attach button (which appears on the lower-left side). In the text editor for assignments, you must select the File Upload tab in order to attach a file.

Important Note: For the assignment, you may submit your work using only one method. For example, you may not submit a written answer in the Text Editor and also submit your answer with a File Upload. You can only use one of the two. Refer to the images below.

Display of the text editor in Forums:

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Display of the text editor in Assignment:

Text Editor Options

The text editor provides various options to modify a text and add elements that enrich your written contribution.

Image Key

These functions allow you to make your text bold, italic or underlined.
You can change the font color or highlight.
With this icon you may erase any format you have applied to your text.
You can align your text to the left, center or right with the corresponding button.
With these functions you can add or eliminate indentations.
By selecting these functions you can add superscripts (x2) and subscripts (x2).
With these functions you can add bullets and number lists to your text.
By selecting this function, you can insert and edit a table.
This function allow you insert/edit media.
These functions allow you to create and remove a link.
With this function you can add an image.
By selecting this function you can add a mathematical equation.
This function allows you to record a video or attach an audio or video file.
These functions allow you to insert text directionally; that is, you can add text from left to right or from right to left.
This function allows you to manipulate the size of the font.
This function allows you to apply a specific format to your text.
This tool checks common accessibility errors within the editor.

Draw a Table

When you click on the table function [1], it allows you to choose the amount of columns and rows, as well as the height and width of the table, among other options. Click on Insert table [2] and a set of white boxes will display to the right. Select the amount of rows and columns you want to include [3]. The table will be automatically inserted to your text editor.

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Create and Remove Links

1. To create a link, click on the chain icon. This is the text editor function identified in number 9.

2. This will open a screen like the one shown below. Type or paste the URL you want to link to (step 1), and then click on Insert Link (step 2).

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3. The link will appear as shown below:

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To add a link to a text, select the desired portion of the text (step 1), and then click on the chain icon (step 2). This will open the same screen we showed above. Type or copy and paste the URL you want to link and click Insert Link (step 3). Once the hyperlink has been inserted, the text will turn blue indicating it is a link. Below we show the three steps:

Step 1 and 2:

Step 3:

This is how your link will look like:

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Keep in mind that you can add a link to an image. Creating links or hyperlinks allow the reader to click over a text or image and automatically access the link you programmed.

If you already created a link, but want to delete it, you must select it (step 1) and click on the broken chain icon (step 2). This will delete the link.

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Insert an Image

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By selecting the function to insert an image, the text editor allows you to add an image by using one of three different options: a URL [1], through your files in Canvas [2] or the Flickr portal [3]. In all three options, you have the opportunity to type an additional text (the text will appear when you move the cursor over the image), as well as choose its size.

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A. To insert an image through a web link, find the image in the Internet and copy the link.

Make sure you have selected the URL tab and then y place the link in the corresponding box.
Then, click the Update button.

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B. To insert an image from your personal files:

Select the Canvas tab.
Search for the image in your folders.
Finally, click on the Update button.

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C. The third option for inserting an image is through Flickr. These are public domain pictures.

Select the Flickr tab.
Write the subject or keyword related to the desired image and click on the search icon (magnifying glass).
Click on the image you would like to use.
Click Update.

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Math Equations

Click on the math equation function on your text editor.

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When you select this function, it will open a screen like the one shown below. This screen has various functions that will help you solve a math exercise easily. Once you finish, click on the Insert Equation button to insert it in the text editor.

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Record and Upload Video and Audio Files

To record a video or audio with your webcam and/or microphones, or to upload an audio or video file, click the Media tab. Then click on Record/Upload Media.

Record:

Select Record Media.
Select the camera icon to record a video or the microphone icon to record audio.
Type a title for your recording.
Allow access to your web cam and microphone by clicking on the Allow button.

Click anywhere on the screen to start recording.

To end your recording, click on the screen again.

Your recording will begin to playback automatically. You have the option of saving it by clicking Save or recording it again by clicking on the red circle.

Once you click Save, your audio/video recording will be automatically inserted to the Rich Content Editor. A notification, like the one shown below, will appear letting you know that the recording is ready to be sent [1]. If you would like to add a comment, click on Comments [2]. Then, you can submit the assignment by clicking on Submit Assignment or cancel the submission by clicking Cancel [3].

If you have trouble recording, follow these troubleshooting steps provided on Canvas Guides.

Upload an Audio or Video File:

Make sure you have selected the Upload media tab.
Click the Select Audio File button, if you want to upload an audio file.
Compatible formats:

rm – Real Media
mp3 – Digital Audio Format 
wma – Windows Media Audio

Click the Select Video File, if you want to upload a video file.

Compatible 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

Select the file you would like to attach and click Open or OK (this will depend on your computer).

The file will begin to upload.

Once uploaded, the file will be displayed as shown on the image below. Once your contribution is ready, click the blue button that says Post Reply (if you are using the text editor in the discussion forum) or Submit Assignment (if you are using the text editor in the assignment section).

Discussion Forum Image

Assignment Image