Brightspace Content is Getting Upgraded
Beginning with the Fall 2027 semester, Brightspace courses will begin using the New Content Experience by default. Additionally, Instructors now have the ability to enable or disable the New Content Experience in their own courses ahead of the change in Fall 2027. For more information about this transition, see our New Content Experience Transition page.
The method for downloading a document in Brightspace will vary depending on what Content view a course uses. Additionally, in the Classic Content view, the type of the original file and the web browser you are using also impacts how students can download files.聽
Updated Summer 2026
Downloading a file in the New Content Experience
If your course is using the New Content Experience, you can download any file by opening it and clicking on the Download icon in the top right. This icon will appear on any content page whether it is an uploaded file, or a HTML web page.聽
Downloading a file in Classic Content
If you're course is using the Classic Content view, how you can download files varies based on the type of file, and your web browser. For these examples, we are using Google Chrome as it's both the most popular web browser and the most compatible with Brightspace.聽
Downloading a PDF file (.pdf)
For a PDF, the download button is at the top of the document frame.
Downloading a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file (.docx, xlsx, or .pptx)
For a Microsoft Office file, you can click the download button at the top of the document viewer.
Downloading a Page or HTML file
For a Page or HTML file, students can download the file by opening it, clicking the down arrow beside the Page name, then clicking Download.聽
Note: Some aspects of HTML pages may not work after downloading if there are embedded files or tools like Kaltura videos or interactive elements from integrated tools.聽
