How to upload a file to Canvas
Uploading to an assignment, to your Files, and from your phone — plus why uploads fail and how to fix it.
Last updated June 1, 2026
Uploading a file to Canvas is quick once you know which upload you mean — an assignment submission and your personal Files area work a little differently. Here's both, plus the limits that trip people up.
- 1To an assignment: open it and click Start/New Attempt
Inside the assignment, click 'Start Assignment' (or 'New Attempt'), then the 'File Upload' tab.
- 2Choose your file
Click 'Choose File,' select your PDF or .docx, and wait for the file name to appear. Canvas lists the allowed file types — match them or it rejects the upload.
- 3Click Submit Assignment
Picking the file does NOT submit it. Click 'Submit Assignment' and wait for the confirmation screen.
- 4To your personal Files: use Account → Files
For storing files not tied to an assignment, go to Account → Files, then drag files in or click 'Upload.' These are your private storage, not a submission.
Why Canvas uploads fail
If your file won't upload or gets rejected, it's almost always one of these:
- The file type isn't allowed (convert .pages/.odt to PDF or .docx)
- The file is larger than the course or assignment size limit
- A weird character or emoji in the file name — rename it plainly
- Slow connection timing out — try a smaller PDF
From your phone
In the Canvas Student app, open the assignment, tap 'Submit Assignment,' then choose a file from your device, Google Drive, or Files. The same type and size limits apply.
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Frequently asked questions
What file types can I upload to Canvas?+
It depends on the assignment — the allowed types are listed in the upload panel. PDF and .docx are the safest. If yours isn't listed, convert it first.
What's the Canvas file size limit?+
It's set by your school and the assignment, commonly around 500 MB for course files but often smaller per assignment. If a file is rejected, compress the PDF and retry.
Why does my Canvas file upload keep failing?+
Usually an unsupported file type, a file over the size limit, or an odd character in the file name. Convert to PDF, shrink it, and rename it plainly.