Canvas: Set Up Canvas to Use Google Drive LTI

Canvas integrates with Google Drive making it easy for you to share content and collaborate with others, students and instructors alike.

Before you can use the Rich Content Editor to link, embed, or submit a file from your Google Drive, or start/participate in a Google collaboration, you must first authorize Canvas to access your UofM Google Drive. 

Note: If you are working with users on other campuses and only need to collaborate using Google Documents, we recommend Setting Up Canvas to Use Google Drive Web Service which is known to work well across all the system campuses. 

Instructors: We recommend you enable Google Drive in your Course Navigation so everyone can follow the steps below to authorize it.

Students: Follow the steps below after your instructor has added Google Drive to the Course Navigation.

This article covers how to:

Signing out of any personal non-UofM Google Accounts

When you authorize your account, you must use your UofM Google account, NOT a personal account. You will have to sign out of any non-UofM Google accounts before you begin the authorization process.

  1. Select your Google Account button (upper-right corner). 
  2. Sign out of any personal / non-UofM Google Accounts. 
    Google account drop-down menu; sign out of all accounts button highlighted
    • If you are using Chrome confirm that you have turned off sync and are signed out of the browser.

Authorizing Canvas to use Google Drive LTI 

Once you have signed out of any non-UofM Google accounts, you will be ready to authorize your UofM Google Drive to use the Canvas Google Drive LTI.

  1. Click Google Drive in the course menu. The Log In page appears saying you need to authorize the integration.
  2. Click Authorize.
    Canvas interface: "Log In You need to authorize this integration in order to use it. Please sign in to your Google account and authorize this integration." Authorize button
    The Choose an account window pops up.The Log In information window remains in the background but refreshes to include an additional sentence "Once you have finished authorizing, click the "Next" button to continue."
    • Click Next.
      login-to-authorize-with-next-button-google-apps-2-20200123.jpgx
      The Choose an account to continue to Google Drive LTI by Canvas window appears.
  3. Choose your University Google account.
    Choose an account window contains text about what info Google will share; links to Canvas's privacy policy and terms of service.
    The Google Drive LTI by Canvas wants to access your Google Account window appears.
  4. Click Allow.
    Canvas wants to access your Google Account window contains text about making sure you trust Canvas; links to Google Account info and to learning about the risks.
    A view of your Google Drive appears. There is a search bar, a folders section, a files section, and an open button.
  5. Search or select a Folder or File.
    global navigation; google drive highlighted; view of drive
  6. Click Open.

Avoiding account conflicts when using Google Drive LTI in Canvas

If you are logged into both your UofM account AND any personal google accounts, your browser could become confused about which Google account to use, even after you have authorized Canvas to work with Google Drive. Be sure to sign out of your personal Google account before you use Google Drive in Canvas.

Tips for success

Avoid browser confusion. 

  • Use one browser for your UofM Google account; use a different browser for any personal accounts.
  • Use an incognito / private window for one of the accounts.
    • This doesn't always work. If you have trouble, use another browser.

Additional Resource

 

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