Download Alternative Formats

Ally can create alternative formats of files that instructors add to their courses. Below are multiple ways to download an alternative format for a file.

Download alternative formats from the:

From the Canvas Course Home Page (course organized in Modules)

This example shows a Canvas course that has been organized into Modules. The course files and other materials appear on the Course Home Page.

In the Canvas course, go to the course menu found on the left and click Home.

Canvas course menu. Home is selected.

On the Course Home Page, locate and click the file that you want to download using an alternative format.

File called "OnlineSyllabus.docx" contained within the Canvas module called Syllabus. File is selected.

The next page will go to the course’s Files page. To the right of the file’s name, click the alternative formats icon or the alternative formats link.

File page containing file name and a download file link, file size, alternative formats button, and alternative formats link.

When the Download alternative formats window appears, choose the format that is best for your needs and then, at the bottom of the menu, click Download.

Note: For more information on the alternative formats, click the help button found in the window.

Download alternative formats window with various selectable options. Tagged PDF format is selected. Help, Cancel, and Download buttons available at bottom of window.

After clicking Download, the window may display a status message while it prepares the file for download. The file will download momentarily.

Download alternative formats window displaying the message:
"Preparing your download. This can take a few minutes."

From the Canvas Course Files section

Follow these steps if your instructor has uploaded course files to the Files section of the Canvas course.

In the Canvas course, go to the course menu found on the left and click Files.

Canvas course menu. Files is selected.

On the Files page, locate the file for which you want to create an alternative format.

File called Onlinesyllabus.docx containing the time it was created and modified, owner, file size, accessibility score icon, and three dot icon.

To the right of the file name, click the three dots (options button).

Three-dot icon (options button).

When the menu displays, select Alternative formats.

Menu displays "Download," "Aternative formats," and "Send To..." items. Alternative formats is selected.

When the Download alternative formats window appears, choose the format that is best for your needs and then, at the bottom of the menu, click Download.

Note: For more information on the alternative formats, click the help button found in the window.

Download alternative formats window with various selectable options. Tagged PDF format is selected. Help, Cancel, and Download buttons available at bottom of window.

After you click Download, you may see a status message while the alternative format is being generated. The file will download momentarily.

Download alternative formats window displaying the message:
"Preparing your download. This can take a few minutes."

From the Canvas Course Pages section

Follow these steps if your instructor has uploaded course files to the Pages section of the Canvas course.

In the Canvas course, go to the course menu found on the left and click Pages.

Canvas course menu. Pages is selected.

Courses that have a front page set will see a page and a View All pages button. Go to the top of the page and click View all pages to see a list of pages.

Note: Courses that do not have a front page will see a list of pages (next step).

View All Pages button.

When the page displays a list of pages, click the page you want to view.

Pages page listing two pages. One page is called "Week 1" and the other is called "Week 2."

In the page, locate the filename. The filename appears as a clickable link.

Canvas page displaying View Pages button, "Week 1" page title, filename, and a short description of the page.

Click the download icon found to the right of the filename.

Download button containing an arrow pointing downward.

When the menu appears, select Alternative Formats.

Download menu displays links for "preview," download." and "alternative formats." Alternative formats is selected.

When the Download alternative formats window appears, choose the format that is best for your needs and then, at the bottom of the menu, click Download.

Note: For more information on the alternative formats, click the help button found in the window.

Download alternative formats window with various selectable options. Tagged PDF format is selected. Help, Cancel, and Download buttons available at bottom of window.

After you click Download, you may see a status message while the alternative format is being generated. The file will download momentarily.

Download alternative formats window displaying the message:
"Preparing your download. This can take a few minutes."