Symbaloo does not Embed Google Drive Files
If you are having difficulty with viewing embedded Google Drive content, this article will help get you on the right track by walking you through some common problems and how to fix them!
First and most importantly, make sure to use the proper link. It is very common to use the address bar URL, but Google has its Sharing button, encouraging users to use it.
To share a Google Doc, it’s recommended to use the Share button, as it provides more control over who can view or edit the document. Here’s why:
1. Share Button:
• When you click the Share button, you can specify access levels (viewer, commenter, or editor).
• You can also restrict sharing to specific email addresses or make the document public with a link.
2. URL from the Address Bar:
• The URL from the address bar can work if the document’s sharing settings are already set to “Anyone with the link” or a specific permission (e.g., public). However, if the permissions aren’t adjusted, people using the URL might not have access or see an error message.
For controlled sharing and to ensure the right permissions, it’s best to use the Share button.
There are multiple known reasons why a Google Drive embed shows up blank or with an error, all of which are related either to Google's account management or your browser's settings. Try all of the suggestions below.
1. Make sure that you're logged in to the correct Google account
Google automatically authenticates you with the Google Account you are logged into in your browser. Sometimes, Google can choose the wrong account, leading to a blank embed.
If you are logged in with multiple accounts, try the following:
Log out of all accounts in Google Drive.
Log back into Google Drive with the account that has access to the file you're embedding or viewing.
Refresh the Symbaloo Page and try to open your Tile again.
2. Check that you have permission to view or edit the file
If you are seeing a "You need access" message, this means that the Google account you are logged in with does not have access to the file you are trying to view/embed.
To remedy this:
Log into the correct Google account, or ask whoever owns the file to share it with you.
Refresh the Symbaloo Page and try to open your Tile again.
3. Use a browser with 3rd-party cookies enabled
Some embeds, including Google Drive files, use third-party cookies behind the scenes. Your browser may be blocking these cookies, which would cause your embed to be blank or show an error.
To resolve this, you can try viewing the Webmix with that Tile in another browser, or you can enable third-party cookies (sometimes called "cross-site tracking") in your browser's privacy settings:
In Safari, go to Preferences → Privacy and uncheck "Prevent cross-site tracking."
In Firefox, go to Preferences → Privacy & Security. Under Enhanced Tracking Protection, select Custom, then uncheck Cookies.
In Chrome, go to Preferences → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data and select Allow all cookies.
After making the change, Refresh the Symbaloo Page and try to open your Tile again.
Note: Third-party cookies are required to authenticate your Google Account. Symbaloo does not utilize cookies here.
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