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

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

We are consistently updating Pratt Canvas Basics (a self-paced training course) with new information and resources! Click here to check out our other Canvas resources & tips.

Is there an external resource that you use often for your courses, such as Google Drive or Milanote, that you would like to include on the left side navigation on your Canvas course? Here’s how you can:

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.
   1. This is the word/phrase that will appear in the course navigation.
7. Enter the “URL Redirect” for the site.

8. Adjust the settings as needed:
   1. (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.
   2. Show in Course Navigation – This puts your link within the course navigation bar.
9. Click the “Add App” button when done.

10. The link now appears in the course navigation at the bottom. You can go into your navigation settings to rearrange it.

To Edit these links:

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.