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Problems with Canvas External URLs

Background

word2canvas supports the creation of an external URL as a module item. As the name suggests, the Canvas External URL item allows for an external web page to be displayed within the module item. The only information it accepts is the URL (aka link) for that external web page.

How word2canvas does it?

There is a Canvas External Url Word style (based on the Heading 1 Word style). The Canvas External URL style defines the title of the item. The content of the section following the "heading" should be just the URL.

For example, the following image shows:

  • Cric Info as the content for the Canvas External URL heading
  • https://www.espncricinfo.com/ as the content of the section

This will work.

Excerpt from Word document of correct Canvas External URL usage

Common Problems

There are two common problems when using this style

  1. No valid URL is provided; and,
  2. More than a valid URL is provided.

Problem #2 is common when using a Word document produced by the CAR process.

No valid URL is provided

A Canvas External URL section must include a valid URL. The following image is an example of a Canvas External URL section without a valid URL (it's missing the https:// required at the start of a URL).

Example of Canvas External URL section not containing a valid URL

Note: A valid URL means it meets the standard for a web link (starting with https or http). It does not mean that there is something at the URL.

Solution

Make sure the URL is a valid URL. Can you use it in a web browser to access a resource on the web?

word2canvas will generate an error

word2canvas error message when no valid url

More than a valid URL is provided

If the section after the Canvas External URL style contains a valid URL AND additional content. For example

Excerpt from Word document of Canvas External URL section with more than a URL

word2canvas will generate a "Canvas External URL heading...contained more than just a URL" error (e.g. the following image)

word2canvas warning about external URL with extra content

Two possible solutions

There are two possible solutions to this problem

  1. Remove the additional content.

    e.g. return the section to the just the URL as shown in the image at the top of this page. 2. Use a new Canvas Page and include the link with the additional content.

    The Canvas External URL item does not support additional content. A better fit is a Canvas Page with the link embeded into the content (not as the title). Change the style for the heading from Canvas External URL to Heading 1 and then insert the link into the content appropriate (e.g. the following)

Modified section to use Canvas Page and link in content