How to add a folder (and add files to a folder)

This refers to Moodle 3.11 from August 2022 onwards

Here are some pointers to help you decide whether to upload a file individually or use a folder.

• Folders in Moodle are simply alphabetical lists of file names
• With files in a folder you get no choice how you would like them displayed, with individual resources you can choose to embed, open or download
• Alphabetical file order in a folder means you cannot deliver the files in an appropriate order within a folder as you can if they are resources in a section
• You can’t mix files in folders with labels for scaffolding of learning
• You can’t track completion of individual files in folders or make them conditional on something else or used to make something else appear conditionally. This is possible with resources.
• If you have a lot of files which need no further explanation, a folder can be a handy way to group them and uploading is possible in one go using the drag and drop tool.

Step by Step: creating a folder

1. Navigate to your module and click on the 'Turn editing on'   button (top right)
2. In the section where you want to create your folder click on the Add an activity or resource hyperlink

3. From the list of resources and activities click on the word 'Folder' and go directly to the 'Adding a new Folder' screen

4. You will then be taken to the Folder set up page. Add details within the "Name" and "Description" sections. 

5. Within the Content section you can add items to go within the folder. You can either drag and drop items you wish to upload (you will need IE10 or above or Chrome/Firefox browsers). Just take the files you wish to upload select them and drag them onto the area that states ‘Drop files here to upload’. Selecting multiple files and dragging and dropping them will also work.

ALTERNATIVELY: The other method is to upload by clicking the top left 'Add...' icon. A pop up titled 'File Picker' will appear with Upload a file highlighted. Click on the 'Choose File' button. Select your file and then click Open. Click on the Upload this file button. Your file will now appear within the "Content" section.

ALTERNATIVELY: You can also create a folder within a folder should you wish. You can do this by clicking on the 'Create folder' icon. 

You will be prompted to enter a name for the folder. Once that is done click the Create folder button.

If you want to add items into the new created folder then double click within the folder icon and then move in the items you want. 

6. Within the "Display folder contents" section, there are two options:

a) If On a separate page is selected then the folder items will load up on a separate page when the folder is clicked.

b) If Inline on a module page is selected then the files within the folder can be accessed at the top level. This is done by pressing the triangle icon next to the folder. When this triangle icon is pressed the contents of the folder will open out and can be accessed by clicking on a particularly item. This is particularly useful if wanting to reduce the number of clicks required to access a specific resource.   

7. If you have used subfolders and you want them expanded then tick the box for the "Show subfolders expanded" checkbox. 

8. If you want to enable users to be able to download all the files in the folder into a zip file then tick the checkbox for "Show download folder button"  

9. Press 'Save and return to module' or 'Save and display'

10. When you have finished, click on the 'Turn editing off' button  which is on the top-right corner of your Moodle page

How to upload multiple files as a zip file

1. Create a zip file containing the items you want uploading.
2. With editing turned on click on the 'Add an activity or resource' hyperlink
3. Select 'Folder' from the list of activities.
4. Within the folder set up page add a "Name" and a "Description" for your folder.
5. Under "Content" section either drag and drop your Zip file or upload by clicking the top left icon within the Files section (follow guidance above if unclear).

    6. The Zip file will be appear as an icon within the "Content" section. Click on the icon which will bring up a pop up window. Within this pop up window press the 'Unzip' button.

    7. The contents will now unzip and the icons of the items will appear within the 'Content' section. Click the 'Save and return to module' button.

    8. When you have finished, click on the 'Turn editing off' button  which is on the top-right corner of your Moodle page