How do I add PowerPoint files to my Canvas course and avoid the 1GB total file size limitation? (Error: Request failed with status code 400.)

Benefits of Adding OneDrive Files to Canvas

Adding PowerPoint files to OneDrive and then linking or embedding them in Canvas benefits both faculty and students. Faculty have a 1GB file storage limit in each Canvas course; while each PowerPoint file may be fairly small, the cumulative size adds up quickly, especially when slides have multimedia like images and/or videos. Several Butler faculty have ran out of storage space in Canvas when uploading a semester's worth of PowerPoint files to their course. The workaround for this is to first add the files to OneDrive and then add a link to the file in Canvas. Because the files are stored in OneDrive, this method does not decrement the Canvas storage at all.

Additionally, students benefit when faculty add PowerPoint files from OneDrive into Canvas. Students can live preview the slides and do not have to download the file to view them. The live preview loads almost instantly; by contrast, downloading a file may take several minutes.
 

Upload File to OneDrive

First, upload your PowerPoint files to OneDrive; reference the Microsoft OneDrive Knowledge Article Index for tips on getting started and working in OneDrive. After uploading your PowerPoint slideshows to OneDrive, follow one of these steps.
 

Option 1: Add the PowerPoint to a Canvas Module

1. Select the "+" icon at the top right of the module header.
2. Select External Tool from the item dropdown.
3. Select Office 365.
4. In the new window, login if prompted. Then navigate to your PowerPoint file and select it.
5. Select Attach File.
6. Select Add Item.
7. The PowerPoint has now been added to the module. Click once on the title to view the slideshow.

 

Option 2: Add the PowerPoint to a Canvas Page

1. Select the "+" icon at the top right of the module header.
2. Select Page from the item dropdown.
3. Select [ Create Page ].
4. Enter a page name.
5. Select Add Item.
6. Click on the page name and then select Edit.
7. Select the Apps button (plug icon).
8. Select View All.
9. Select Microsoft Office 365 from the list of apps.
10. In the new window, login if prompted. Then navigate to your PowerPoint file and select it.
11. Select Attach File.
12. Make any other edits on the page, then select Save & Publish or Save.
13. The PowerPoint has now been added to the page. Click once on the link to view the slideshow.