Embedding Google Docs in Open edX

The Google Docs XBlock can be a useful component to add to your course. With this XBlock, you can easily embed not only Docs, but Sheets, Slides, and more directly into your course. Here's how:

Make sure the XBlock is enabled in your Advanced Module List

From Studio, you can navigate to Advanced Settings from the Settings drop down menu. The first setting you see here is your Advanced Module List. These are the XBlocks currently installed on your server and enabled in that particular course. Make sure your list includes "google-document". 

If you don't see the XBlock enabled, as long as it's installed on your server, you should be able to simply type "google-document", to enable it. Make sure you save your changes. 

Navigate to a new unit and click the green Advanced button 

If you don't see the green Advanced component tile, it may mean XBlocks aren't currently installed on your server. Contact Appsembler.

Select Google Document

By default, the Google Doc XBlock is pre-populated with a Google Presentation giving a brief overview of how it works. In order to add your own document, click the Edit button at the top right hand corner of the component. 

At this point, you'll want to go grab the embed code for your Google doc. If you don't know how to find that, here's how it works. From your Google Doc, click on the File menu and select Publish to Web. 

Next, you'll be able to set up a few parameters, which will vary depending on the type of Google file you're working with. Make sure you've chosen the Embed option, and then click Publish. 

Google will then create some embed code for you to copy. Copy the embed code. 

Now, we'll jump back over top Studio. Paste the embed code into the Embed Code section of the Google Doc Xblock's edit window. Then click Save.

And just like that, instant Google Doc! 

After you Publish the doc, you can see it in your LMS as well.