Canvas releases new features and updates existing features approximately one time per month. We'll update this summary once per semester or whenever there are new features we think you might be interested in.
You can always see new release information from the Help Menu in Canvas by clicking on the Help icon and scrolling down to Release Notes.
This article covers the following topics:
Released 6/21/25
The Files page has been redesigned.
File Management Enhancements
- Column headers support sorting.
- Manage Permissions and Manage Usage Rights open in separate modals for improved clarity.
- The View button is removed.
- A Select All checkbox and Individual file selection checkboxes are available.
- Users can bulk Download, Delete, Move and Edit Permissions and Manage Usage rights.
To select all files and folders at once, click the Select All checkbox [1]. To select files or folders individually, use the checkbox next to each file or folder[2]. Column headers can be clicked to sort files and folders [3]. To switch between the new and original Files page, click the Switch to Old/New Files Page button [4]. To view the files landing page, click the All My Files button [5]. Bulk action options are available when files and/or folders are selected [6].
Released 7/20/24
On the Modules page, instructors can assign students to an entire module and individual module items from the Modules page.
- If a student is assigned only a specific item within a module and not the entire module, they will see only that item in the feature area, such as an assignment on the assignment page, and not the rest of the module.
- If a student is assigned an entire module, but only specific items within that module, students can only view the items they are assigned.
Faculty can use the Assign To tab to set the module visibility to Everyone [1] or assign it to specific students or sections [2]. In the Assign To field [3], instructors can select students or sections using the drop-down menu. Click the Save button [4] to save changes.
Released 7/20/24
Instructors can assign pages to students and set availability dates.
Note: Pages cannot be assigned due dates.
After Saving any Canvas page you can click on the Assign To button in the top right corner.
Faculty can also access the Assign To feature when editing a Page by clicking on Manage Assign To at the bottom of the page.
Released 7/20/24
Note: This update is on hold due to conflicts with existing Canvas features.
As the first phase of rubric overhaul, there is a new, much easier way to add and edit rubrics through the Rubrics page found on your course menu. You can view, add, duplicate, delete and edit rubrics for your course on this page. The changes will only be available if you work on the Rubrics page. The Rubric tool at the bottom of assignments retains the original interface.
Note: Rubrics cannot be edited or deleted once they have been added to an assignment. However, this can be duplicated for additional edits and the creation of new rubrics.
Creating a New Rubric
Click on the Create New Rubric button to create a new rubric.
When creating a new criterion, enter the Criterion Name (1) and Criterion Description (2). To enable a point range, select the Enable Range checkbox (3). Then, determine the desired Points (4), Rating name (5), and Rating Description (6). Then click the Save Criterion button (7).