File Downloads: Upload an Excel File for Download in Brightspace

Upload an Excel File for Download in Brightspace

Learn how to add a downloadable Excel file to a Brightspace content page so learners can open and work with the original spreadsheet.

  • Add a file using Insert Stuff in the Brightspace editor.
  • Create a clearly labelled download link.
  • Save the page and test the downloaded spreadsheet.

Watch the Video

Watch the video walkthrough, then follow the written steps below to add your own Excel file.

Why Use a Download Link?

In the video, an Excel file added directly to Brightspace is displayed as a preview split across portrait-sized pages, making the spreadsheet difficult to read. Adding a download link within a content page lets learners download the original workbook and open it in Excel.

Before you begin: Have your Excel file saved on your computer and a Brightspace content page ready to edit. The video starts with an existing page containing a short introduction and a section for the download.

Step 1: Edit Your Content Page

  1. Open the Brightspace content page where you want to add the Excel file.
  2. Open the page’s three-dot menu and select the option to edit the page.
  3. Add a short introduction explaining what learners will download and how they should use it.
  4. Place your cursor where you want the download link to appear. Create a new line if needed.

Step 2: Upload the Excel File

  1. In the editor toolbar, select Insert Stuff.
  2. Select My Computer.
  3. Select Upload to browse for a file on your computer.
  4. Locate and select your Excel file, then select Open.
  5. Review the upload location and change it if needed.
  6. Select Upload to upload the selected file.

Step 3: Add Descriptive Link Text

  1. Enter clear Link Text that identifies the file and tells learners that it is a download.
  2. Set the link to open in a new window, as shown in the video.
  3. Select Insert to add the link to your page.

Example link text: Download the Women’s Rugby Key Dates and Facts Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx).

Step 4: Save the Page

  1. Check that the download link appears in the correct place on the page.
  2. Review the introduction and any instructions for learners.
  3. Select Save and Close.

Step 5: Test the Download

  1. On the saved content page, select the download link.
  2. Locate the downloaded Excel file in your Downloads folder, or the location selected by your browser.
  3. Open the file in Microsoft Excel.
  4. Check that the original workbook opens and that its worksheets and formatting appear as expected.

Result: Learners can download the original Excel file to view and work with, as demonstrated in the video.

Need Help?

For support with uploading files or creating content pages in Brightspace, contact the Educational Technology team.

edtech@okanagancollege.ca

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