How Do I Embed an Image in Canvas?

The Rich Content Editor lets you add images to Pages, Assignments, Discussions, Announcements, and Quizzes — uploaded from your computer, pulled from your course files, or linked from a URL. This guide walks through the upload process, the other ways to add an image, and what to check when an image won’t display for students.

Before You Start: Preparation Checklist

Before you open the Rich Content Editor, decide on the following:

• Have the image file ready on your computer, or know the URL or course file you want to use instead.
• Decide whether the image is decorative or informational — this determines whether it needs alt text.
• Ensure the image abides by NECO’s copyright policy if the image isn’t something you created yourself.

Embed an Image Using the Rich Content Editor

1. Place your cursor where you want the image, then click the Image icon in the toolbar — click the More options (three-dot) icon first if it’s hidden — or use Insert > Image from the menu bar.
2. Choose Upload Image.
3. On the Computer tab, drag your image file in or click to browse, select the file, and click Open. Only one file uploads at a time.
4. In the Alt Text field, write a description for screen reader users — or check Decorative Image if the picture doesn’t carry meaning on its own.
5. If prompted, set Usage Rights for the image: you hold the copyright, permission obtained, public domain, fair use, or Creative Commons.
6. Choose a display option: Embed Image (shows the picture itself) or Display Text Link (shows a clickable link instead).
7. Click Submit, confirm the preview looks right, then click Save (or Save & Publish / Reply, depending on where you’re working).

Other Ways to Add an Image

• Drag and drop: Drag an image file straight from your computer or a browser window into the editor.
• Course Images: Use Insert > Image > Course Images to pick from image files already stored in your course, filterable by type, date added, or name.
• URL: Select the URL tab and paste the image’s address into the File URL field.
• Copy and paste: Right-click an image, choose Copy, then paste it into the editor. Images copied between courses can fail to appear for students due to permissions or usage rights, so upload directly when you can.

Best Practices

• Add meaningful alt text to every informational image — screen readers rely on it, and it displays if the image fails to load.
• Keep alt text concise and specific — describe what the image communicates rather than starting with “image of.”
• Reuse images already in your Course Images library instead of uploading duplicates — it keeps your Files area tidy.
• Upload directly to each course rather than copy-pasting images between courses, to avoid permission issues down the line.

Troubleshooting

Issue: Students can’t see an image you copy-pasted from another course.

Solution: Images copied between courses can fail due to permissions or usage rights. Upload the image directly in this course instead of copying it from elsewhere.

Issue: You don’t see the Image icon in the toolbar.

Solution: Click the More options (three dots) icon to expand the toolbar, or use Insert > Image from the menu bar instead.

Issue: The image appears broken or restricted for students.

Solution: Check the file’s Permissions setting in Course Files (i.e. Is the image published?). An unresolved permissions setting can keep a file hidden from students until it’s set properly.

Self-Check Questions

• Did I add meaningful alt text, or mark the image “decorative” if it carries no information?
• Am I uploading a new file, or reusing one already in Course Images?
• Have I published the image?
• Did I choose Embed Image or Display Text Link on purpose?
• Did I click Submit and then Save (or Save & Publish) to finish?

Additional Resources

• Instructure Community: How Do I Upload and Embed an Image in the Rich Content Editor?
• Yale Canvas Help: Embedding/Inserting an Image in Canvas Content
• Stanford Canvas Help: Embed Documents, Images, and Media Using the Rich Content Editor

Need Extra Support?

If an image won’t upload, display, or show correctly for students, reach out to the TLC.