Microsoft OneDrive is integrated with Quercus (Canvas), allowing instructors to access and use Microsoft 365 files within their courses. You can use the integration to share OneDrive files as course content, create collaborative activities, and use Microsoft 365 files with assignments.
Looking for ways to use OneDrive outside Quercus? Explore the Microsoft OneDrive resource.
Add OneDrive Files to Quercus
There are several ways to access and add files stored in your U of T OneDrive within Quercus. You can also create a sharing link in OneDrive and add the link to Quercus.
Choose an option based on where you want students to access the file:
- Course Navigation: Access and manage your OneDrive files from within your Quercus course.
- Modules: Add a OneDrive file as an item in a module alongside other course content and activities.
- Rich Content Editor: Add a OneDrive file within Pages, Assignments, Discussions, Announcements, and other areas that use the Rich Content Editor.
- Sharing links: Create a sharing link in OneDrive and add it wherever you want students to access the file or folder.
Open the sections below for instructions.
Add OneDrive to Course Navigation
The O365 OneDrive link may be hidden from Course Navigation by default. To make it available:
- In your Quercus course, select Settings.
- Select the Navigation tab.
- Find O365 OneDrive in the list of hidden navigation items.
- Drag O365 OneDrive to the list of enabled navigation items.
- Select Save.
- Select O365 OneDrive from Course Navigation to access your files.
- Select Log in and enter your UTORid credentials.
Once connected, you can browse and search the files and folders stored in your OneDrive.
For more information about customizing Course Navigation, visit Canvas LMS’s How do I manage Course Navigation links?
Add a OneDrive File to a Module
You can add a file stored in OneDrive directly to a Quercus Module using the External Tool option.
- In your Quercus course, select Modules.
- Find the module where you want to add the file and select the + button.
- From the Add menu, select External Tool.
- Select O365 OneDrive from the list of external tools.
- Find and select the OneDrive file you want to add.
- Select Attach File.
- Select Add Item.
- Publish the module item when you are ready for students to access it.
Add a OneDrive File Using the Rich Content Editor
You can add a OneDrive file within Quercus Pages, Assignments, Discussions, Announcements, and other areas that use the Rich Content Editor.
- Open the Quercus content where you want to add the file and select Edit.
- Place your cursor where you want the file link to appear.
- In the Rich Content Editor toolbar, select the O365 OneDrive icon
(an orange outlined rectangular shape). If the icon is not visible, select the three dots (ellipsis) to display additional tools. - Find and select the OneDrive file you want to add.
- Select Attach File.
- The OneDrive file will appear as a link within your Quercus content. Save or publish your changes when you are finished.
(an orange outlined rectangular shape). If the icon is not visible, select the three dots (ellipsis) to display additional tools.Create OneDrive Collaborations in Quercus
Quercus Collaborations allow you to create a shared Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file for students to work on together. You can give access to selected students, existing Quercus Groups, or both.
You can also create and share collaborative files directly through OneDrive. Use Quercus Collaborations when you want to create the shared file and select participants from within your Quercus course.
Open the section below for instructions.
Create a OneDrive Collaboration
- In your Quercus course, select Collaborations from Course Navigation.
- Select + Collaboration.
- Select the Office 365 collaboration tool.
- Select Log in and sign in with your UTORid if prompted, then authorize access.
- Select the type of file you want to create: Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
- Enter a document name and, if needed, a description.
- Add the students or groups that should participate in the collaboration.
- Select Save.
The collaboration will appear in Quercus and the selected participants will be able to access the shared Microsoft 365 file. For more information, visit Canvas LMS’s How do I create a Microsoft collaboration as an instructor?
Troubleshoot OneDrive Collaborations
- Check your browser: Try a different browser or open a private/incognito window.
- Sign in with your U of T Microsoft account: Log in to your Microsoft accountLog in using your U of T email address. Once signed in, keep that tab open, open a new tab in the same browser, and try accessing Collaborations again from your course.
- Remove outdated Office 365 integrations: In Quercus, go to Account > Settings and scroll down to Approved Integrations. Locate and delete any items labelled “Office 365 – YUL env” using the trash can icon. Try accessing Collaborations again.
If the issue continues, contact q.help@utoronto.ca.
Important: Adding students to a Quercus Collaboration gives them access to the shared file in OneDrive. Removing a student from the Collaboration or deleting the Collaboration does not remove their access to the OneDrive file. To remove access, update the file’s sharing permissions in OneDrive.
Collaboration files also remain available in OneDrive after a course ends. When a collaboration is no longer needed, review the file’s sharing permissions and remove access or change permissions to view-only as appropriate.
Use OneDrive for Assignments in Quercus
OneDrive can be used with Quercus Assignments to provide students with Microsoft 365 files to complete or allow students to submit files stored in OneDrive. Choose an option based on whether you want to provide the starting file or have students submit work they have already created.
- Cloud assignments: Provide a Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file as a template. Each student receives their own copy to edit and submit through the Quercus assignment.
- File upload assignments: Allow students to select and submit an existing Microsoft 365 file from OneDrive through a regular Quercus file upload assignment.
Important: Cloud assignments cannot be used for group assignments. For file upload assignments, students can submit only one Microsoft 365 file from OneDrive, and the submitted file reflects the version at the time of submission. Changes made later to the file in OneDrive are not reflected in the submission.
Open the sections below for instructions.
Create a Cloud Assignment
Use a cloud assignment when you want to provide each student with their own copy of a Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file to complete.
- In your Quercus course, select Assignments.
- Create a new assignment or edit an existing assignment.
- Add the assignment details and instructions.
- Under Submission Type, select External Tool.
- Select Find, then select O365 OneDrive Cloud Assignment.
- Find and select the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file you want students to complete.
- Select Attach File.
- Select Select to confirm the external tool.
- Save or publish the assignment when you are finished.
Each student receives their own copy of the file when they open the assignment. Submitted work can be viewed and graded through SpeedGrader.
For more information, visit Canvas LMS’s How do I create a cloud assignment with a Microsoft Office 365 file? For student instructions, visit Canvas LMS’s How do I submit a cloud assignment with Microsoft Office 365?
Allow OneDrive Files for a File Upload Assignment
Use a file upload assignment when students have already created their work and need to submit a Microsoft 365 file stored in OneDrive.
- In your Quercus course, select Assignments.
- Create a new assignment or edit an existing assignment.
- Add the assignment details and instructions.
- Under Submission Type, select Online.
- Under Online Entry Options, select File Uploads.
- Save or publish the assignment when you are finished.
When students submit the assignment, they can select the O365 OneDrive tab to choose a file stored in their OneDrive.
For student instructions, visit Canvas LMS’s How do I upload a file from Microsoft Office 365 as an assignment submission?