D2L Brightspace: Manage Files

FACULTY: The Manage Files tool is the file management solution in D2L Brightspace. Only instructors have access; students can only see what is shared through Content.

Overview

Manage Files allows you to create folders and organize your course materials. You can directly upload and then push files to Content. Manage Files can also handle Zip files.

Please note D2L has 2 gigabytes maximum for a file upload.

Technologist’s recommendation:

Any file you add to Content will be found in Manage Files. Normally, they will be found in the root directory in Manage Files. We recommend that you organize your files into folders, such as a folder for each module of content. You can build Manage Files to reflect your Content area to make finding and maintaining files less of a headache.

Creating Folders

Navigate to Manage Files, then select the New Folder link just above the manage files table.

A New Folder will be created at the top of your file list. Give the folder a descriptive, succinct name with no special characters. Select Save.

To open the folder, select the name of the folder from the list of files and folders or from the tree.

The tree can be hidden or shown through the Hide Tree link or Show Tree link.

Upload Files

In Manage Files:

1. Navigate to the folder you want to upload a file to
2. Select the Upload link.
3. A pop up will appear, either drag your file into the target area or select the upload button and use the File Explorer/Finder.
4. After adding the file, select Save.

Overwrite Warning/Actions

If you load a file into a folder or into the root directory that has the same name as a file that already exists in the location, D2L provides you with two options:

1. Replace the existing file with the new file: check the box next to the existing file and select Overwrite. In which case you have to place a check in the box next to the file you wish to replace and then select Overwrite.
2. Keep both copies: leave the box unchecked and then select Overwrite. This will add a (1) at the end of the file name of the newly uploaded file.

Unzip files and folders

D2L can handle Zip files/folders in a couple different ways. If you are just loading files, use Manage Files. If you are loading course packages, you will likely use the Import/Export/Copy Components tool; follow instructions from MinnState’s Importing Course Components from a File (requires login).

To unzip a file or folder:

1. Upload your zip file to Manage Files using the steps above.
2. Open the context menu next to the zip file name and select Unzip.
3. A pop up will appear explaining the file is being unzipped in the background, press Close.
4. You will receive a notification through the Update Alerts (bell icon in the upper right) when the unzipping is complete.

Files will be found within the folder you unzipped them.

Renaming Files or Folders

In Manage Files:

1. Select the context menu next to the file or folder name and select Rename
2. Enter the new name
3. Select Save

Delete a file or folder

In Manage Files:

1. Select the context menu next to the file/folder you wish to delete
2. Select Delete
3. A confirmation popup will appear, select Yes.
4. Your file will be removed from D2L.

NOTE: if the file has a link icon to the right of the context menu it means the file is linked to in Content. Deleting that file will break the link in Content.

Move a File or Folder using Cut & Paste

If you move a file or a folder that has linked items in it, you will want to check that file to ensure the link to that file is not broken.

In Manage Files:

1. To the left of the file name(s), check the box for each file that you wish to move
2. At the top of the table, find the Cut icon which looks like a pair of scissors.
3. Navigate to the folder where you wish to move the item(s)
4. Select the Paste () link above the table. The number in the parenthesis indicates the number of files/folders you are moving (pasting).