How to add and use media elements

  • Published on May 23, 2026
  • 3 minute(s) read
  • Aiden Molavi
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Media elements are the files you attach to items in Cirrus: images, audio, PDF resources, and external streams. Use this article to upload media, embed it in items, and pick the right format for each use case.

Three ways to attach media to an item

  1. Inline through the text editor in the question.
  2. As a resource or media file attached below the question text using the Add resource or Add media file buttons.
  3. From the media library, where you upload files once and reuse them.

Inline media through the text editor

The text editor toolbar in the item editor lets you:

  • Insert a link to a streamed media file.
  • Record an audio file on the fly.
  • Upload an image from your computer (recommended for images).
  • Open the media library to pick or upload a file.

Text editor toolbar with media controls

Use the upload action, not drag-and-drop

Uploading through the toolbar saves the file in your media library and rewrites the URL to a Cirrus CDN URL. Drag-and-drop or copy-paste uses the original file location, which causes two problems:

  • If the source page removes the image, it disappears from your item.
  • If your tenant is allow-listed, the original domain may be blocked.

Always use the Upload action to attach images you do not host yourself.

Image sizing in the text editor

  • Images in the question are scaled to a maximum width of 500 px or height of 400 px.
  • Images in answer alternatives should be smaller: 300 px max width for Multiple choice or Multiple response, around 50 px for Match.

Upload to the media library

Reusable files live in the media library.

  1. Open Library > Media elements.
  2. Select Add.
  3. Pick a file and upload.

Files in the media library can be shared with other authors through the Share button on the file row.

Add resource files

The Add resource button under the question text accepts up to five PDF resource files per:

  • Introduction page.
  • Question.
  • Section.

Resource file shown to a candidate during the exam

When a question has a resource file, Cirrus shows a Resource button to the candidate. The Cirrus PDF viewer opens, and candidates can maximise, minimise, and close it during the exam.

Add media file

Add resource and Add media file buttons

The Add media file button attaches a single media file underneath the question text. Use it when:

  • The media is too large for inline placement.
  • You want a clear separation between question wording and the media.
Always introduce the media in the question

Open the question text with a reference to the media file. For example: "Looking at the image, what type of architecture is this an example of?" The candidate then knows where to look. Don't leave the question hanging.

Streamed media (audio, video)

For audio and video, the text-editor link option lets you embed a stream rather than uploading. This keeps file sizes small and works well for video content hosted on YouTube or Vimeo.

When using YouTube or Vimeo, configure the embed:

  • Use the share / embed link from the provider.
  • For Vimeo, disable any extra UI chrome that would distract candidates.
  • For YouTube, disable related videos at the end.

Hyperlinks

The text editor supports plain hyperlinks. Use them sparingly in exam content:

  • Outbound links can break candidate focus.
  • In a locked-down browser (Safe Exam Browser, Proctorio with full screen), outbound links may not open and confuse the candidate.

If a link is essential, set it to open in the same tab and include a clear note in the question text.

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