When asking how to "open Excel in Canvas," it's important to understand that Canvas is a web-based learning management system, and you typically don't run the full Excel application software inside your web browser within Canvas itself. Instead, you interact with Excel files through Canvas, most commonly by uploading them, downloading them, or sometimes viewing them using a built-in viewer or integration.
The most frequent reason to interact with an Excel file in Canvas is to submit it as an assignment.
Submitting Your Excel File in Canvas
Based on common practices and the provided reference, the process for submitting an Excel file to an assignment in Canvas involves uploading the file from your computer. Here's a breakdown of the typical steps:
- Navigate to the Assignment: Go to the specific assignment in your Canvas course where you need to submit the Excel file.
- Find the Submission Options: Look for the "Submit Assignment" button or area on the assignment page.
- Choose File Upload: Select the option to upload a file from your computer.
- Select Your Excel File: Browse your computer's files and select the Excel file (.xlsx, .xls) you wish to submit.
- Initiate Upload: Once selected, Canvas will begin uploading the file. As shown in the reference video, "And you can see that green bar appears" which indicates the upload progress.
- Confirm Upload: Wait for the upload to complete. The reference notes, "And once it's fully uploaded to Canvas I get the tick." A tick mark or similar confirmation signals that the file has successfully uploaded to Canvas.
- Submit the Assignment: After the file is uploaded and confirmed, you must complete the submission process by clicking the final submit button. The reference states, "And then I just need to submit the assignment." Make sure to click this button to finalize your submission.
Key Steps for Submitting an Excel File
| Step | Action | Indicator (from reference) |
|---|---|---|
| Select Assignment | Go to the assignment page. | N/A |
| Start Submission | Click 'Submit Assignment'. | N/A |
| Choose File | Select the Excel file from your computer. | N/A |
| Upload Progress | Canvas uploads the file. | "And you can see that green bar appears." (progress bar) |
| Upload Confirmation | Canvas confirms the file is on the server. | "And once it's fully uploaded to Canvas I get the tick." (tick mark) |
| Final Submission | Click the final submit button. | "And then I just need to submit the assignment." |
Opening or Viewing Excel Files From Canvas
If someone shares an Excel file with you through Canvas (e.g., as a course file or attachment), you typically have a couple of options:
- Download: You can download the Excel file to your computer. Once downloaded, you can open the file using the Excel program installed on your device.
- View (If Available): Canvas may have a built-in file viewer or integrate with services like Microsoft Office Online or Google Sheets. If so, you might be able to click on the file in Canvas to preview it directly in your browser without needing to download it. This viewing capability depends on how your institution and instructor have configured Canvas.
In summary, "opening Excel in Canvas" refers to interacting with Excel files via the platform, primarily through uploading for submissions or downloading/viewing files provided to you. You do not run the Excel application software within the Canvas interface itself.
