Canvas: Set Up Canvas to Use Google Drive Web Service

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

Before being able to submit a file from your Google Drive or create or participate in a Google Documents collaboration, you must first authorize Canvas to access your UofM Google Drive. 

Note: If you need to be able to link or embed a file stored on your UofM Google Drive or create or participate in a Slides or Spreadsheet collaboration, then you need to Set Up Canvas to Use Google Drive LTI.

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 Web Service 

Once you have signed out of any personal Google Accounts, you will be ready to authorize your UofM Google Drive to use the Canvas Google Drive Web Service. 

  1. Go to Canvas and click Account in the Global Navigation bar.
  2. Click Settings. Your Setting's page appears.
    KB0025743-canvas-account-settings-20200123.JPGx
  3. Click the Google Drive button under Other Services to register it.
    KB0025743-other-web-services-20200123.JPGx
  4. Click the Authorize Google Drive Access button. You will be redirected to Google to verify the authorization.
    Authorize Google Drive pop-up. Text: "Google Drive Access Once you authorize us to see your Google Drive you'll be able to submit your assignments directly from Google Drive, and create and share documents with members of your classes. " Authorize Google Drive Access button highlighted.
  5. Choose your UofM Google Account, NOT your personal Gmail.
    Sign in with Google dialog box. Text: "Choose an account to continue to Canvas"
    The Canvas wants to access your Google Account page appears.
    • You may be asked to log in to your UofM Google account first.
      1. Enter your full UofM email address.
      2. Click Next.
        Sign in to continue to Canvas dialog box
  6. Click Allow to authorize Canvas to see, edit, create, and delete all of your Google Drive files in your UofM Google Account.
    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.
    Google Drive now appears under Registered Services in your Profile Settings.
  7. Verify that you've registered your UofM Google Account by checking the email address that appears under Registered Services.
    KB0025743-settings-with-registered-webservices-20200123.JPGx

Now that you have registered your UofM Google Drive, as long as you are only logged into your UofM Google Account,you will be able to 

  • Submit a file from your Google Drive
  • Create or participate in a GoogleDocuments collaboration

Avoiding account conflicts when using Google Drive Web Service 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 resources

 

 

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3048