Adding a Banner Image Using the Upload/Embed Tool

The Upload/Embed Image (UEI) tool is an app that allows you to modify images inside of Canvas rather than pulling them into an external editor before uploading to Canvas.

With the tool, you can:

  • Add images directly from your Canvas course files.
  • Search for royalty-free images from Pexels.com  or  Unsplash.com .
  • Load, edit, and save an image using a public URL.
  • Set the Course Image.
  • Set the alternative text within the tool. 

The first time you launch the UEI tool, you will be asked to authorize it to add image files to Canvas on your behalf. 

Once you have an image embedded in the rich content editor, the DesignTools Sidebar provides additional ways to style your image.

1

Place your cursor where you want to insert the image on the page you are editing

Arrow pointing at empty box in the editor.

 
2

Click on the Upload/Embed Image tool in the content editor menu

Arrow pointing at a crop icon in the content editor toolbar.

 
3

Select the Image source

You can select from:

  • Computer: Drop a file or navigate to the folder on your computer where the image is located and select the image.
  • Canvas: Select an image in your Canvas course or personal files by navigating through the file structure, searching by file name, or sorting them by name, size date created, or date updated.
  • Unsplash.com: Type a keyword in the search field to browse Unsplash without having to leave the Upload/Embed image tool interface.
  • Pexels.com: Type a keyword in the search field to browse Pexels without having to leave the Upload/Embed Image tool interface.
  • Public URL: Type or copy and paste the URL from an image stored on an external server.

Preview of the Image Sources list in the Upload / Embed tool.

 
4

Navigate to the Crop Image tab

Arrow pointing at crop tab in the top right corner of the editor.

 
5

Expand the Image Ratio dropdown and select 10:3

When working with images to create a custom banner, the Canvas and DesignPLUS themes work best with, and sometimes require, a 10:3 ratio that measures at least 1100 x 330 pixels.

At times the tool won't appear with the crop preview (the box within your image that has blue borders). If that happens, simply click on the Crop Image tab again and repeat this step.

Image ratio dropdown highlighted with an arrow pointing at the 10:3 option.

 
6

Adjust the image as necessary

We recommend that you fit as much of the image into the highlighted portion of the editor. You can easily adjust it by clicking and dragging each of the corners to expand the box to the edges of the image. Everything outside of the highlighted section will be cut out as you proceed to the next step.

If you need to make further adjustments, you can use the icons on the left side of the interface to flip your image horizontally or vertically, rotate, move, or zoom in and out of your image.

Preview of image being highlighted with the 10:3 ratio setting in the Upload / Embed Image Tool.

 
7

Click Crop Image

Arrow pointing at blue Crop Image button in the bottom right corner of the editor.

 
8

Give the image a Name and descriptive Alt text

Alt text provides information for an image if a user for some reason cannot view it (because of slow connection, an error in the src attribute, or if the user uses a screen reader).

Arrow pointing at Name and Alt section on the bottom left of the editor.

 
9

Click Upload and Embed

Arrow pointing at blue Upload and Embed button in the bottom right of the editor.