How to Create Clickable Images in Canvas

This guide will walk you through the steps for adding course links to the images you upload to Canvas.

Step 1: Image Creation

Use Canva or any graphic design tool to create images.

Step 2: Add an Image to a Canvas Page

When editing a page in Canvas, click on the embed image button (1) to select and upload an image saved on your computer.

Screenshot of the RCE with the image button and dropdown menu highlighted and labeled 1-2

A popup will appear to choose your image. Drag and drop the image you want to use from your files or click anywhere in the upload image box to browse files on your computer.

Screenshot of upload image popup with the drag and drop box highlighted in red

After you choose the image, the image will appear as a preview in the popup window. If the image has important information on it, you will want to include Alternative Text (1) for blind or low-vision users with screen readers. Choose Embed Image (2) so the image will be displayed. Click Submit (3) when finished.

Step 3: Link Your Image to a Course Link

Click on the image on your page that you want to link (1). You will know that you have clicked on the image and selected it because it will have blue re-size squares on the corners of the image. Once selected, clicking on the Link button (2) directly will open a popup window to insert an External Link (any URL outside your course). Choose Course Links (3) to link your image to course content such as a module, quiz, or page.

Screenshot of "readings" image embedded in page. "readings" image and course link button are highlighted in sections 1-3

When clicking on Course Links, a sidebar menu (1) will appear to the right. You can use the Search bar (2) to look for the specific content that you wish to link to or simply use the dropdown arrows (2) to find the content that you’re looking for (4). You can see if the content you’re linking to is published or not by the green check marks to the right of it.

Screenshot of image link sidebar options. sections 1-4 are highlighted in red rectangles.

Once you’ve linked your image, it will flash yellow quickly to indicate that the link has been created successfully. You can check that it is linked by hovering over the image. A Link Options button will now appear next to your Image Options button.

(Source: https://teaching.pitt.edu/resources/how-to-create-clickable-images-in-canvas/)

Still Need Assistance?

Contact gse-cnvs@gse.upenn.edu to schedule an appointment with our instructional design team.