Placing GIFs and JPGs in Blackboard

There are several different ways you can place GIFs and JPGs into Blackboard. First, you should decide which type of format to use - GIF or JPG. Line art, logos, screen shots, animations and illustrations should be converted into GIF images while photographs should be converted into JPG. Use a software program such as Adobe Photoshop or Graphic Converter to properly convert your image.

METHOD ONE: Placing an Image Tag as Smart Text in the Blackboard Text Box

1.  Login into Blackboard and open your course.

2.  Go to CONTROL PANEL > CONTENT AREAS and click on the link for the Content Area where you wish to place the information (e.g., Course Documents).

3.  Click the Add Item button.


4.  Name the document, pick the link color, and then begin typing the text of the document in the Text: window.


5.  To insert an image within your text or just an image alone, use the following HTML code: <IMG SRC=”name_of_image.gif”> substituting the name of your gif or jpg for the name of the image. For example, a jpg image of a dog photograph might read <IMG SRC=”dog.jpg”>

6.  Make sure the radio button under the Text: box is selected for Smart Text.

  1. Go to Section 3 - Options of the Blackboard page and select the dates of availability for display.

8.  Go to Section 4 - Submit and click on the Submit button.

9.  Blackboard will give you a receipt if your text and image(s) uploaded correctly. Click the OK button.

METHOD TWO: Placing a GIF or JPG in Blackboard as a Stand-Alone Document

1.  Login into Blackboard and open your course.

2.  Go to CONTROL PANEL > CONTENT AREAS and click on the link for the Content Area where you wish to place the information (e.g., Course Documents).

3.  Click the Add Item button.


4.  Name the document and pick the link color of the Name:


5.  In Section 2 – Content Attachments, click on the Browse… button and find the GIF or JPG on your computer that you wish to display in Blackboard.

6.  Where it says Name of Link to File: type the name that you wish the student to see for the link associated with the GIF or JPG.

7.  From the Special Action: drop-down menu, select Display media file within the page.

8.  Go to Section 3 - Options of the Blackboard page and select the dates of availability for displaying the file.


9.  Go to Section 4 - Submit and click on the Submit button.

10.  Blackboard will display the Multimedia Options page.

11.  Click the options you desire. (Be sure to place a name for the image in the Alternate Text: text box for better web accessibility)

12.  Click the Submit button.

13.  Blackboard will provide you with a receipt if the document was uploaded correctly. Click the OK button.