Canvas tips: How to add a custom link to your course navigation

The Redirect Tool allows you to add external links to the left-side navigation menu within your Canvas course. This gives you and your students quick access to important resources; if you use a class Milanote, shared google folder, or another primary resource, this is a great way to include it easily in your Canvas course.

  1. Click on “Settings” from the course navigation.
  2. Click on the “Apps” tab across the top.
  3. Search for “Redirect” in the search bar provided.
  4. Click on the “Redirect Tool” that appears once the filter is applied.

      5. Click the “+ Add App” button that appears.

      6. In the pop-up box that appears, enter the “Name” for the link; this is the word/phrase that will appear in the course navigation.

      7. Enter the “URL Redirect” for the site; this is the site address you will link to.

      8. Adjust the settings as needed:

    • (Optional) Force open in new tab (For External Links Only) – If you select this setting, when a user clicks on the link, the page will open in a new tab in their browser.  Leave unchecked if you would like the site to open within the Canvas interface.
    • Show in Course Navigation – This puts your link within the course navigation bar.

      9. Click the “Add App” button when done.

The link now appears in the course navigation at the bottom of the list; you can rearrange the order this appears along with the rest of your course navigation. 

To edit Redirect links after set up:

  1. Click on “Settings” from the course navigation.
  2. Click on the “Apps” tab across the top.
  3. Click on “View App Configurations” at the top right.
  4. Find the custom link you want to edit in the list, click on the gear icon to the right, and select “Edit“.
  5. In the “Custom Fields” text entry box, update the URL portion and/or the name of the tool.
  6. Click “Submit” for the custom link to be updated.

Upcoming events at the CTL:

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This year, along with Curatorial Guest Editor Tim Cunningham (SLAS), Pratt's Center for Teaching and Learning is pleased to announce a first ever themed issue of iteratio. We will be accepting proposals around the theme Pedagogy In Flux: Innovative and Inclusive Practices for a Changing Educational Landscape.

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