Did you know that there are two ways you can use to attach multiple files to an item in Blackboard?

Many staff are probably familiar with the typical way of uploading a file to Blackboard.  You create an Item, and click ‘Browse for local file’ to attach a specific file.  If you want to attach multiple files, you need to submit and re-enter the item each time.

Unfortunately a bug in Blackboard 9 also means that right now the names of multiple files attached to an item in that way are sometimes displaying strangely.  We are working to resolve that issue, but even when that is fixed, the files are ordered alphabetically. Some staff want more control over the order of their files and a way to add multiple files without having to leave and re-enter the item you are editing. 

Thankfully there is a way in Blackboard that you can achieve this by uploading the files in a different way.  When you are creating the item, you can attach the file by selecting the icon in the Text area which looks like a piece of paper with a paperclip on it (shown in a red box in the image on the right).

Selecting that icon will result in a pop-up window that asks you to browse for the file you wish to attach.  After you click Submit, the file will upload and you will get another confirmation screen.  Click Submit on that screen (you may need to scroll to the right) and the file will be attached as part of the Text area which is used for the description of the item as well.  You can control where in the Text area that the link to the attached file appears, as well as the order of any files you attach.  Repeat the process of uploading files with the icon until you have added all of your files, then click Submit to finish creating the item.

The ‘Did you know?’ series explores possibilities in e-learning that you may not be aware of.  See other articles from the series.