How to Set Up a File Upload for Assignments



Create new assignment

  • Go to the assignments page
  • Click on the “+ assignment” button 
  • Write a title and description for the assignment 

Set assignment details 

  • Enter points value as zero when not using Canvas to grade. For more about using Canvas to grade, visit our additional guides on grading
  • Set submission type to “online” and entry option to “file uploads”  (recommended and widely used).
  • You can restrict uploads to programs such as “PDF” or “word” i.e “doc” “docx”. This is recommended to reduce any potential compatibility issues for you to open and review the students' work. 

Determine availability 

  • Choose who to assign the submission to. 
  • List the availability window and deadline.

Access submissions

  • Click “save and publish”. 
  • To grade in Canvas, click Speedgrader on the upper right of the assignment page.
  • If you are grading outside of Canvas, click “download submissions”


This article is part of Teaching & Learning's Canvas How-to Video Series.