By Matt Walker, Sr. Learning Administration Manager, Optimization Services
and Natalia Dias, Transition Consultant, Optimization Services
Overview
As a Brightspace Administrator, you may have noticed a change in behavior when transitioning from the Classic OneDrive LTI Integration to the newer Microsoft 365 LTI Integration. In the old version, the “cloud button” (Attach from OneDrive) available in Assignments, Activity feed, etc., would lead to our older, non-LTI experience.
In the new version, if you’ve followed the Microsoft LTI documentation, the Attach from OneDrive button will now lead you to a more robust integration with the new Microsoft 365 LTI app, allowing you to pick files directly from your OneDrive folders or folders that were shared with you.
What’s going on with all the MS LTIs?
- The MS OneDrive LTI is scheduled to sunset on Sept 17, 2026. Microsoft has announced that after that date, the classic apps and any links to content in courses will stop working.
- The new Microsoft 365 LTI will replace the integration with all Microsoft Classic apps: OneDrive, One Note, Teams Assignments, MS Reflect.
- D2L recommends deploying and configuring the Microsoft 365 LTI integration using the Microsoft instructions and guidance to ensure a smooth transition.
Where does the change show up?
Brightspace provides various workflows for attaching files from OneDrive, depending on the user's role. Example: an instructor creating an assignment can upload from OneDrive using any of the four controls highlighted below.
The outcome varies based on how the customer follows this section of Microsoft instructions; each workflow will present different behaviour:
- Attach from OneDrive
| Description: Adds files from OneDrive as links to the content. Configurable variables involved: d2l.3rdParty.OneDrive.EnableOneDrivePicker = ON d2l.3rdParty.Microsoft.OneDriveLTI.LinkId = <numeric value> |
|---|
- if OneDriveLTI.LinkId = an invalid numeric value or an incorrect link type: the cloud icon will not be displayed.
- if OneDriveLTI.LinkId = numeric value from the Deep Linking Quicklink type link (i.e., instructions were followed correctly). When the user is already logged in to their Microsoft 365 account, the Add Materials window opens the user's OneDrive folder in the Microsoft 365 LTI app, providing features like access to shared files, MS Teams files, favourites, etc.
- if OneDriveLTI.LinkId = 0 (default value). If the user is already logged on to their Microsoft 365 account, the Add Materials window will display a Brightspace integration with Microsoft. It will display the files in the user’s OneDrive folder, but with fewer features.
2. File Upload
| Description: Adds files from OneDrive as an attachment to the content. Configurable variables involved: N/A |
|---|
This user experience is only available if Microsoft 365 is configured; however, it is not affected by the config variable OneDriveLTI.LinkId. When the user is already logged in to their Microsoft 365 account, the Add File window lists all possible file locations. By clicking on the OneDrive files option, the OneDrive folder opens through a Brightspace legacy integration.
3. Insert Stuff
| Description: Adds files from OneDrive as a link or embeds a link to the content. Configurable variables involved: N/A |
|---|
If Microsoft 365 LTI is configured in the environment, the Microsoft 365 Document option will be available in the Insert Stuff list. Once the user is logged in to their Microsoft account, the Microsoft 365 Document option opens the user's OneDrive folder in the Microsoft 365 LTI app, providing features such as access to shared files, MS Teams files, favourites, etc.
4. Insert Quicklink
| Description: Adds files from OneDrive as a link to the content. Configurable variables involved: d2l.3rdParty.Microsoft.OneDriveLTI.LinkId = <numeric value> |
|---|
- if OneDriveLTI.LinkId = numeric value from the Deep Linking Quicklink type link (i.e., instructions were followed correctly). Users will see the Microsoft 365 Document option in the Third Party section of the list. Once the user is logged in to their Microsoft account, the Microsoft 365 Document option opens the user's OneDrive folder in the Microsoft 365 LTI app, providing features such as access to shared files, MS Teams files, favourites, etc.
- if OneDriveLTI.LinkId = 0 (default value). The OneDrive option will appear in the Insert Quicklink list. This is a Brightspace integration. If the user is already logged in to their Microsoft 365 account, this option displays the user’s OneDrive files, but with fewer features.
Note: If Microsoft 365 LTI is configured, but the config variable OneDriveLTI.LinkId is set to 0, it’s possible that the user will also see the Microsoft 365 Document in the Third Party section of this list. This is not a recommended experience for the user.
- if OneDriveLTI.LinkId = an invalid numeric value or an incorrect link type. If Microsoft 365 LTI is configured, users will only see the Microsoft 365 Document option in the Third Party section of the Insert Quicklink list.
Note: Microsoft is replacing the Brightspace integration. Files saved in the OneDrive Classic app will remain accessible through the Microsoft 365 app.
What is the D2L recommendation?
D2L recommends that LMS administrators to follow all the steps on the Microsoft page to Deploy the Microsoft 365 LTI app in Brightspace, including the steps to Enable Microsoft 365 LTI OneDrive Filepicker Placements across Brighspace, to ensure the most modern, smooth, and unified user experience.
Important: This is a Microsoft-owned integration. If you experience issues with the setup instructions within Microsoft’s tool, contact Microsoft support for assistance.
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