Viewing and Downloading Microsoft Word Files, Powerpoint Presentations and PDF Files In

Viewing and Downloading Microsoft Word Files, PowerPoint Presentations and PDF Files in D2L V10.1

SAIT recently upgraded D2L to Version 10.1 (V10.1) to improve the user experience. The new version offers better navigation and a D2L document-viewing feature. However, there is a problem downloading files from V10.1 if your browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.

If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer 8, you won’t be able to download Microsoft Word files, Microsoft PowerPoint presentations and PDF files.

You can still view these files using the D2L viewer, but if you want to download them you must install Mozilla Firefox as an alternate browser.

Use Firefox as an Alternate Browser

Follow these instructions to download and install Firefox:

1.  Open Internet Explorer.

2.  Navigate to http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/

3.  Click on Firefox Free Download. A message will appear with two options to either save or run the file.

4.  Click Run.

5.  Answer Yes to the User Access Control question and choose the Standard installation.

You can choose whether to make Firefox your default web browser or use it as an alternative.

After the installation finishes, a Firefox icon appears on your Desktop. This icon looks like a fox curling around a blue world.

6.  To open the Firefox browser, double-click on the Firefox icon.

7.  To access D2L, navigate to https://learn.sait.ca in the Firefox browser. On the Welcome page, enter your mySAIT username and password.

Note: Your username and password do not change when you use a different browser.

Viewing and Downloading Documents in D2L 10.1

If you are logged into your course on the D2L server, you can view any Microsoft Word document, Microsoft PowerPoint or PDF file that is listed in the course’s Content section. If you are using Firefox, you can also download the file.

To view a file, follow these instructions:

·  Click on the link for the file. The document will appear in the D2L viewer.

Note: This is a view-only option and you can’t edit the document.

To download a file, follow these instructions:

·  If you are viewing the Contents list, select the drop-down arrow alongside the document and click Download.

·  If you are viewing the document in the D2L viewer, click Download.

Note: Neither of these methods will work if you are using Internet Explorer 8.

These methods will not work with Microsoft Excel files either.

Contact Information

If you have further questions regarding D2L or any of the instructions included here, contact Educational Technology Services at:

E-mail:

Phone: 403.210.4250

Toll Free: 1.888.910.4250

January 9, 2013 Page 1