Embed a Panopto Video in a Bowdoin WordPress Site

Questions

  • How do I embed a Panopto video in my WordPress site?
  • How do I add a Panopto video to a WordPress page or post?
  • Where do I find the embed code for a Panopto video?
  • Can I embed a Panopto audio file in WordPress?
  • How do I make a Panopto video public so it can be embedded?
  • What permissions does a Panopto video need to be embedded on a website?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin College faculty and staff who manage a Bowdoin WordPress site and want to embed Panopto video or audio content. The iFrame plugin must be active on your WordPress site — contact the Service Desk if you are unsure.

Resolution

Step 1 — Set sharing permissions on the Panopto video

The video must be set to a public or unlisted sharing level before it can be embedded on a website.

  1. Sign in to panopto.bowdoin.edu.
  2. Hover over the video thumbnail and click the Share icon.
  3. Click the Change link under Who can access this video.
  4. Select Public (unlisted) — Anyone who has the link.
  5. Click Save.

Step 2 — Copy the embed code

  1. In the sharing settings window, click the Embed icon at the bottom.
  2. Use the options to customize the embed size or player settings if needed.
  3. Click Copy Embed Code to copy the iFrame code to your clipboard.

Step 3 — Paste the embed code into WordPress

In the Block Editor (default in current WordPress)

  1. Open your page or post in WordPress and click Edit.
  2. Click the + icon to add a new block.
  3. Search for and select the Custom HTML block.
  4. Paste the Panopto embed code into the Custom HTML block.
  5. Click Update or Publish to save.

In the Classic Editor

  1. Open your page or post and click Edit.
  2. Click the Text tab (top-right of the editor) to switch to HTML view.
  3. Paste the embed code where you want the video to appear.
  4. In the pasted code, change the opening < to [ and the closing > to ]. This converts the iFrame tag to WordPress shortcode format required by the iFrame plugin.
  5. Click Publish or Update to save.
Classic Editor only: The bracket conversion (< → [ and > → ]) is only required in the Classic Editor. In the Block Editor, paste the raw iFrame code into a Custom HTML block without any modifications.
iFrame plugin required: The Classic Editor method requires the iFrame plugin to be active on your WordPress site. If your embedded video doesn't appear, confirm the plugin is enabled. Contact the Service Desk if you need help.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

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Related Articles (2)

Upload a Video or Audio File to Panopto
Step-by-step instructions for uploading video and audio files to the Panopto media library from a computer, either directly through the Panopto website or through a Canvas course page.
Upload and Embed Panopto Videos in Canvas
Instructions for faculty on uploading video and audio content to Panopto and embedding it in a Canvas course, including embedding via the Rich Content Editor, adding content as a Canvas Module item, and uploading directly through the Canvas-Panopto integration.