TidyUP - Managing Files with TidyUP

When you first go into TidyUP you will be prompted to Scan the Course

By default, the All option will look at all files and folders inside the Files area of Canvas. 

You can use the Custom option to specify the type(s) of files you are looking to manage/clean up.

Once you have made your selection(s), click on Scan Course.

TidyUP does not scan Canvas question banks. If you have images or files that are only used in question banks, the TidyUP scan will identify them as not being used. It is best practice to store all such files in a common folder (in Canvas Files). That folder can be marked as "Ignored" during the TidyUP scap. (See below.) 

1. Create a folder in the Files area of Canvas. (Canvas - Creating and Deleting Folders on the Files Tab [UW-Madison])
   1. How you organize the files in there is up to you. You can also exempt as many folders as needed. If you need help with this process, contact the DoIT Help Desk.
2. With that folder created, go back into TidyUP and Scan the course. 
3. Go to the Folders tab at the top.
4. Click the Edit icon (far right) of the folder you want to mar as ignored. 
5. Check the box for ”Ignore folder contents in TidyUP scans”.
6. Click Save.

By doing these steps, TidyUP will ignore anything inside that folder, including any folders inside that folder. 

There is no limit to the number of folders you can mark as ignored. 

Once the scan is complete, select the Files tab (upper right). From the Show dropdown, select Unused Files. 

The list of files will then show only unused files in the course.

It is best practice to download files before removing them from the course. The deletion process is permanent. If you do not have a backup, you will not be able to recover the files. Please follow these steps to backup your files before deleting them. 

1. With the Files section open, use the dropdown on the left side where it says Show … Entries and make sure 100 is selected. 
   
   
   1. This is because the download process can only download 100 files at a time. This setting may be more convenient.
2. On the right side, change Show to be Unused Files.
   
   
   
3. With the Show filters set, you can now use the checkbox at the top of the file list to select all files on the page showing. 
   
   
   
4. Click Download Selected
   
   
   
5. A new pop up will appear which will give you a list of the files you are going to be downloading. Scroll down and click Download at the bottom of this display. 
   
   
   
6. The system will then prepare a zip file of all the selected files. This process may take a few minutes. It will then automatically download the zip file to your computer. 
   1. Make sure you back up that zip file in an appropriate location.
      
      
7. If necessary, advance to the next page of unused files, and repeat this process.

After you downloaded the unused files, you can now delete them. 

Remember: this removal process cannot be undone. Downloading and backing up those files is a very important step. 

1. With the Files section open, use the drop-down on the left side where it says Show … Entries and make sure 100 is selected. 
   
   
   
2. On the right side, change Show to be Unused Files. 
   
   
   
3. With the Show filters set, you can now use the checkbox at the top of the file list to select all files on the page showing. 
   
   
   
4. Click Delete Selected.
   
   
   
5. A new pop-up will appear which gives you a list of the files TidyUP is prepared to delete. Scroll down and click Delete at the bottom of this display. 
   
   
   
6. If necessary, advance to the next page of unused files, and repeat this process.