Canvas: Microsoft OneDrive in Microsoft Education

Summary

The Microsoft Education One Drive integration gives students and instructors the ability to utilize their Office 365 accounts within the Canvas Learning Management System. This integration allows instructors to embed assignments, create OneDrive collaborations, and view live changes to documents right within Canvas. Students will also be able to utilize their OneDrive storage in Canvas, by submitting assignments and utilizing collaborations.

Body

Summary

The Microsoft Education One Drive integration gives students and instructors the ability to utilize their Office 365 accounts within the Canvas Learning Management System. This integration allows instructors to embed assignments, create OneDrive collaborations, and view live changes to documents right within Canvas. Students will also be able to utilize their OneDrive storage in Canvas, by submitting assignments and utilizing collaborations.

This article consists of four sections: 

 

Getting Started for All Users

All users can:

  • Access OneDrive from their class.
  • Create links to specific OneDrive files via the Rich Content Editor.
  • Enable Canvas Collaboration using a OneDrive file

 

Access your OneDrive files in Canvas

Users can view all their files within their OneDrive folder through the Course Navigation Menu in Canvas.

Step 1 - On the left-hand navigation menu of a course, click on the "Microsoft Education" link. If it is not listed, please enable "Microsoft Education" in the course navigation menu or ask your instructor. 

Step 2 - You will be prompted to enter credentials to login to your OneDrive account. Click Log in.

Step 3 - Once logged in, you will be able to view your OneDrive files. If students click on this link, they will be prompted to login to their own OneDrive account. This feature can be disabled by the course instructor by going to Settings and then Navigation.

 

Share OneDrive files using the Rich Content Editor

Instructors and students can link documents from their OneDrive folder anywhere using the Rich Content Editor in Canvas. Instructors may embed Office 365 documents in Canvas Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, Quizzes (directions and questions) and Syllabus. Students may embed Office 365 documents as discussion and announcement replies, answers to quiz questions, and as assignment submissions.

Step 1 - Go to any Rich Content Editor page (found in Pages, Assignments, Discussions, and Syllabus) and click on the Microsoft Education tool 

Step 2 - Choose the desired file and then select Embed or Link. A link will then be created for the document allowing it to open in a new tab when checked.

Embed or Link OneDrive File

 

Enable Canvas Collaboration using a OneDrive file

Users can use Microsoft Education to create a Collaboration with a Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file. Users can select individual users, groups, or both as part of a Collaboration.

Step 1 - On the left-hand navigation menu of the course, click on the Collaborations link

Step 2 - Click the Start a new collaboration button, then choose Microsoft Education in the drop down.

Step 3 - Next, choose the type of file you wish to collaborate on (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint) as well as add a document name and description. Then add people/groups as collaborators. When finished, click the save button at the bottom of the page.

Microsoft Education One Drive Collaboration and adding people to a Collaboration

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Getting Started for Instructors

Instructors can:

  • Share OneDrive Documents in Canvas Modules.
  • Create Cloud assignments based on a OneDrive file.
  • Access OneDrive from their class.
  • Create links to specific OneDrive files via the Rich Content Editor.
  • Include Microsoft files in your Modules
  • Allow students to submit assignments via OneDrive.
  • Create and participate in Collaborations.
  • Grade student assignment submissions in SpeedGrader via the Office 365 Viewer.

 

Share OneDrive Documents in Canvas Modules

Instructors can easily share OneDrive files within Modules section in Canvas.

Step 1 - In Course Navigation, click the Modules link.

Step 2 - Select the plus icon under the desired Module and choose External Tool in the drop-down.

Step 3 - In the Add [Item Type] To drop-down menu, select Microsoft Education.

Step 4 - A new dialog will appear. Choose Add File.

Step 5 - Navigate to your desired file, then click Select

Step 6 - In the Add [Item Type] To drop-down menu, click Add item. You can find more information about this at the Canvas guide
 

Create Cloud Assignments directly from a OneDrive file

Instructors can create an online assignment that integrates a document (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) directly from their OneDrive folder. When students open the assignment, Microsoft Education will automatically create a copy of the file as the student’s submission. Students will be able to open the document and make necessary changes to the document. The student can then return to the Canvas assignment page and submit the assignment, while having a copy stored in their OneDrive folder for the course. Also, Instructors can view each student’s document copy in SpeedGrader for grading.

Step 1 - In the left-hand course navigation menu, click on the Assignments link or from Modules Add [item type]: assignments).

Step 2 - Then click the Add Assignment button.

Step 3 - Enter the assignment name, add a short description, specify the number of points, select the assignment group, and select the grading type.

Step 4 - In the submission type drop-down, select the External Tool option. Then, click on the find button and select Microsoft Education.

Step 5 - Select the document you would like to use and click Attach

Step 6 - When ready to publish your assignment, click on the "Save & Publish" button.

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Getting Started for Students

Students can:

  • Upload OneDrive files for an Assignment Submission.
  • Access OneDrive from their course.
  • Create links to specific OneDrive files via the Rich Content Editor.
  • Access direct links to files provided by instructors.
  • Edit and submit Cloud Assignments.
  • Participate in Collaborations.

 

Upload OneDrive files for an Assignment Submission

Students can upload files directly from their Microsoft Office 365 (OneDrive) folder. When clicking on the Submit Assignment button, select the Micrsoft Education tab to link your OneDrive account in Canvas. This will allow you to choose a file from your OneDrive and submit it. Click Submit once you've located your desired file. 
Microsoft Education Selection

Submission of assingment from OneDrive.

 

Access your OneDrive files in Canvas

Students can view all their files within their Microsoft Education folder through the Course Navigation Menu in Canvas, if enabled by your course instructor.

Step 1 - On the left-hand side of the course menu, you may see an Microsoft Education link.

Step 2 - Then click Login.

Step 3 - Follow the prompts to login to your OneDrive account.

Step 4 - When logged in, you will be able to view your OneDrive files directly in Canvas.

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Need additional help?

Submit a Canvas (myCourses) support request or visit the Technology Help Desk Support page to locate your local campus contact information or to submit an online technology support request.  For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.  

 

 

Details

Details

Article ID: 5505
Created
Thu 7/16/26 1:32 PM
Modified
Thu 7/16/26 2:10 PM
Applicable Institution(s):
Plymouth State University (PSU)
University of New Hampshire (UNH)