Joel VannerCustomize the Canvas course navigation in your courses to include only the areas/links that students will be accessing.
The course navigation can be customized at any time during the course.
Use the View as Student feature to see how your changes to the course navigation look to students.
Editing the Position of Visible Items
- Select “Settings” (1) from your course navigation, then select the “Navigation” (2) tab, and drag the item(s) you want to reposition in the course navigation (3).
- Alternatively, you can select the three vertical dots (1) on the item you want to move, select “Move” (2) and move it with the drop-down menus shown.
- When you’re finished, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page and save, using the blue “Save” button.
Enabling Items (Visible to Students)
Enabling an item does not publish content related to that item in the course. Meaning, if you choose to enable the Assignments item in the course navigation, it does not publish assignments in the course for you. For information about publishing your course content, visit this page →
The following items must remain enabled in the course navigation:
- Modules
- Grades
- Policies, Student Support, and Technology Help
The following items are recommended to remain enabled in the course navigation:
- Announcements
- Discussions
- University Libraries
- Mental Health and Other Resources
Your school, department, or program may have additional items added in the course navigation. Before enabling those items, check with your school, department, or program leadership.
The Navigation settings area is divided into two sections, the top section contains items that are visible in the course navigation, and the bottom section contains items that are hidden from the course navigation.
- Select “Settings” from your course navigation, then select the “Navigation” tab, and scroll down the page until you see the “Drag items here to hide them from students” heading.
- Drag the item(s) you want to enable in the course navigation up and past the “Drag items here to hide them from students” heading.
3. Alternatively, you can select the three vertical dots (1) on the item you want to enable and select “Enable” (2).
- When you’re finished, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page and save, using the blue “Save” button.
Disabling Items (Hidden From Students)
Disabling an item does not unpublish content related to that item in the course. Meaning, if you choose to disable the Assignments item in the course navigation, it does not unpublish assignments in the course for you. For information about publishing your course content, visit this page →
The following items must remain enabled in the course navigation:
- Modules
- Grades
- Policies, Student Support, and Technology Help
The following items are recommended to remain enabled in the course navigation:
- Announcements
- Discussions
- University Libraries
- Mental Health and Other Resources
Your school, department, or program may have additional items added in the course navigation. Before disabling those items, check with your school, department, or program leadership.
The Navigation settings area is divided into two sections, the top section contains items that are visible in the course navigation, and the bottom section contains items that are hidden from the course navigation.
- Select “Settings” from your course navigation (1), then select the “Navigation” tab (2). Items currently enabled will appear in the top list.
- Drag the item(s) you want to disable in the course navigation down and past the “Drag items here to hide them from students” heading.
- Alternatively, you can select the three vertical dots (1) on the item you want to disable and select “Disable” (2).
- When you’re finished, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page and save, using the blue “Save” button.
Faculty, staff, and students have access to 24/7/365 phone and chat support through the Help menu in Canvas.
Visit the Faculty Advancement in Teaching Excellence Canvas site for teaching resources, opportunities for engagement, and spaces to connect with colleagues about teaching!
Additional Resources
Use the buttons (drop-down menu on mobile) below to toggle through resources.
