Table of contents:
Introduction
The File Manager used to add content to Absorb LMS is based on an industry standard style file uploader. Admins can use Absorb's built-in File Manager to upload and manage any learning content that they might need to access and use in the LMS. It also allows Admins to upload and manage their organization's learning assets that have been created externally and to even allow these to be accessed outside the LMS. In addition, the File Manager can be used to help control which users are permitted access to a given individual learning asset, simply based on where and how that file is stored in the LMS.
Accessing File Manager
Sign in to the Admin portal and select Setup then Files. The File Manager will then launch.
* You can also view the File Manager directly when creating or editing and online course. Go to Edit or Create course and then to the Syllabus tab. Select Add Learning Object - Next - Choose File to display the File Manager.
Working in File Manager
When the File Manager is launched, you will see these elements:
| Element | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
| File Path |  |
Located at the top of the File Manager, this lists the location in Absorb's file directory that the tool is currently pointing to. It will first point to the Root folder of your LMS as a default when the interface is launched. Once you choose a file or folder, the path will change. |
| Folders |  |
Located on the left hand side of the File Manager, this displays the collapsed directory of all the files stored in your LMS. |
| Files |  |
Located on the right hand side of the File Manager, this shows the collapsed directory of all sub-folders and files stored in your LMS. Each item listed also displays the object's File Name (complete with extension suffix), the Size of the file, the Date the file was uploaded and the Type icon (i.e. a folder |
| Actions |  |
Located at the bottom of the File Manager, this provide all of the executable options available to you based on what is selected by them at the time. (More details are listed in the Actions section below.) |
, doc file 
, xls data 
, csv data 
, or an image 
). Each column can be sorted and files selected can be displayed in ascending or descending order.
Actions
When viewing the default view of the File Manager, these actions are available:
| Element | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Add New Folder |  |
This button (+) will allow you to create a New Folder. The default location of the folder will be always be the first directory level directly under the Root folder unless the action is triggered at a different location in the directory. You will be prompted to enter a name for the new folder. If no name is chosen, the default label of 'New Folder' will be assigned to the new item. |
| Upload Files |  |
This button will display the file upload window which will provide you the option to add new files to your LMS, either by dragging and dropping their file in the window provided or by navigating to it directly via their computer's file navigator. (More details are noted in the Add section below.) |
| Allow Drag & Drop |  |
This toggle determines whether or not individual files and folders can be selected and moved (dragged) to a new location within the File Manager. When the feature is On, 8 small dots appear next to any item that can be dragged. When Off, any selected item can only be previewed, renamed or deleted not dragged. To drag an item, select the item with the left mouse button, keeping it depressed while moving the object to the desired location. Then release the button to complete the move. |
| Close |  |
This button will close the File Manager Interface. |
Adding or Editing a Folder
|
Element |
Image |
Description |
|
Add New Folder |
|
This button (+) will allow you to create a New Folder. The default location of the Folder will be always be the first directory level directly under the Root folder unless the action is triggered at a different location in the directory. You will be prompted to enter a name for the new folder. If no name is chosen the default label of 'New Folder' will be assigned to the new item. |
|
Rename Folder |
|
This button will open a dialog box to allow you to give a folder a different name. |
|
Delete Folder |
|
This button will open a dialog box to allow you to delete a folder entirely. |
Adding Files
To add a new file, select the Upload Files button and you will then see the file upload window on the right side of your screen.
Actions
Once the file uploader is available you can then perform these actions:
|
Element |
Image |
Description |
|
Upload To |
|
Located at the top of the file uploader window, this note allows you to review the destination for the external file. This location is based on whatever item was selected in the folder portion of the File Manager, as reflected in the file path, and also displayed here. |
|
Overwrite Files |
|
When the feature is turned ON (the default setting), the incoming file will replace the one already added if it has the same name as the incoming item. If it is OFF, any identically named File cannot be added successfully and an Error message will be displayed. |
|
Drag & Drop Files Here |
|
This area is where files can be dragged and dropped (similarly to how the 'Allow Drag & Drop' feature works in the File Manager actions described above.) Here, objects are brought in from the outside of the LMS. The external file being uploaded will need to be 'grabbed' from your computer and then dropped inside the rectangle labeled Drag & drop files here. |
|
Upload File |
|
When you select the Upload File button, you will launch your computer's default file uploader where you will need to navigate to the file and add it manually. |
|
Status: Complete |
|
This message is displayed when the external file has been successfully uploaded to the LMS. The green indicator lists the name of the file that was transferred to verify the successful upload. It will be designated with a check mark. |
|
Status: Error |
|
This message is displayed if the external file has failed to upload to the LMS. This indicates that the transfer was not successfully completed. You will see a red indicator along with the listing the name of the file that was not transferred. |
|
File Browser |
|
button will switch the view and you will see the files and folders in the File Manager interface |
|
Close |
|
This button will close the File Manager. |
Note: The File Manager has a 2GB size limit. If you experience any errors uploading files into the File Manager, please ensure that your files meet these requirements and you are uploading the file into a parent directory.
Editing Files
After a file is uploaded, you can use the File Manager to make additional changes to the files.
Actions
When editing a file you can complete these Actions:
|
Element |
Image |
Description |
|
Preview File |
|
This button will open a new web browser window where the contents of the File will be displayed. |
|
Rename File |
|
This button will open a dialog box to allow the Admin to give a File a different name. |
|
Delete File |
|
This button will open a dialog box to allow the Admin to delete a File entirely. |
|
Upload Files |
|
Refer to the definition in the File Manager Features section above. |
|
Allow Drag & Drop |
|
Refer to the definition in the File Manager Features section above. |
|
Close |
|
This button will close the File Manager. |
Managing Access
An extremely important subject in the use of Files (and indirectly with Folders as well) are the different ways in which Absorb can be used to help manage access. For in-depth information, please read more about Global vs. Private Files in our online article.
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