What’s the Issue
- If the Box Integration is used to insert a BuckeyeBox file link into a Module or a Content Page in Carmen, the resulting link opens up to preview page with a download button that is non-functional on the iPad.
- This issue does not affect links that are generated manually on the BuckeyeBox website/in the Box app, and are then copied/pasted into Carmen.
What’s the Current Situation
- Teaching and Learning has reported this issue to main campus and will follow-up again next week. Unfortunately, Teaching and Learning is not able to implement a systematic fix.
- Students have identified a method to work around the issue. If a student is logged in to BuckeyeBox when a file link is opened, the file can be found under the Recent section on web/in app. The file can then by copied/moved to a different location and/or opened in a different app. In our own testing, this work around, while functional, is not exactly straightforward.
What’s the Suggested Workaround
- The suggested workaround can be implemented by individual instructors with minimal effort. As always, please let Teaching and Learning know how we can help.
- If a link is inserted into a Content Page using the Box integration in the Rich Content Editor, first highlight the link, then select the “Link to URL” (paperclip) icon to reveal the link editor. Toward the front of the link, delete “embed_widget/”, then save. For example:
- BEFORE: “https://app.box.com/embed_widget/s/…“
- AFTER: “https://app.box.com/s/…“.
- If a link is inserted into a Module using the Box External Tool, first select the options (3 dots) icon, then the “Edit” link to reveal the link editor. Toward the front of the link, delete “embed_widget%2F”, then save. For example:
- BEFORE: “https://www.edu-apps.org/box/box_redirect?redirect_url=https%3A%2F%2Fapp.box.com%2Fembed_widget%2Fs%2F…“
- AFTER: “https://www.edu-apps.org/box/box_redirect?redirect_url=https%3A%2F%2Fapp.box.com%2Fs%2F…“.
Expected Behavior with the Suggested Workaround
- If the Box App is installed (app will prompt student if they have not logged in)
- In Mobile Safari, clicking on a fixed link should trigger the Box app to take over and open the file.
- In the Canvas App, clicking on a fixed link should open a file preview page that is not OSU-branded, from which students can use the Share (rectangle with arrow pointing up) icon to open in Mobile Safari, then use the “Open in App” button to open the file.
- If the Box App is NOT installed
- In Mobile Safari, clicking on a fixed link should open a file preview page that is not OSU-branded, from which students can click the Download (line with arrow pointing down) icon to open the file itself.
- In the Canvas App, clicking on a fixed link should open a file preview page that is not OSU-branded, from which students can use the Share (rectangle with arrow pointing up) icon to open in Mobile Safari, then click the Download button to open the file.
We think that this workaround will improve the students’ experience working with BuckeyeBox file links in Carmen. We plan to write about additional BuckeyeBox workflows and tips in future updates. Thank you for your assistance and patience!