What You Can Change on Your Canvas Dashboard
Your Canvas dashboard is the page you see when you log in — it shows your courses, upcoming assignments, and grades in one place. You can rearrange cards, hide courses you are not taking this term, change how information displays, and add widgets that show you what matters most. Canvas gives you control over the layout so you can see your workload the way that makes sense to you.
The customization options are different depending on whether you are using Canvas on a computer or phone, and some features only work in certain browsers. Most changes happen in the same place: the settings menu or the edit button on your dashboard itself.
Key Takeaways
- You can drag course cards around to reorder them, or hide courses you are not actively taking to reduce clutter.
- The dashboard shows different information depending on which view you choose — you can switch between card view, list view, or recent activity view.
- You can add widgets like your calendar, to-do list, or notifications to your dashboard so you see them without clicking into courses.
- Changes you make on your computer dashboard do not always sync to your phone, so you may need to customize both separately.
Reordering and Hiding Courses on Your Dashboard
When you log into Canvas, your courses appear as cards or in a list. To move a course card to a different position, hover over the card until a four-arrow icon appears in the top right corner, then drag it to where you want it. The new order stays the same the next time you log in.
To hide a course you are not taking this term, click the three-dot menu on the course card and select "Hide from Dashboard". The course still exists in your account and you can unhide it later — it just stops showing on your main view. This is useful when you have finished a course or are between semesters. You can unhide courses the same way: click the menu and select "Show on Dashboard".
Switching Between Dashboard Views
Canvas offers three main ways to display your courses: card view, list view, and recent activity view. You switch between them using the view buttons near the top of your dashboard — usually three small icons that look like cards, lines, or a clock.
Card view shows each course as a large box with the course name, recent announcements, and upcoming assignments. This view is easiest to scan quickly. List view shows courses in a straightforward list with a small amount of information next to each one, which takes up less space on your screen. Recent activity view shows what has changed in your courses in the order it happened — new announcements, submissions, grades — rather than organizing by course. Choose the view that matches how you work: card view if you jump between courses, list view if you want a compact overview, or activity view if you want to see everything new at a glance.
Adding Widgets to See More Information at Once
Widgets are small boxes that show specific information without you having to click into a course. Canvas includes several you can add: your calendar (showing all assignment due dates), your to-do list (tasks you have created), notifications (recent messages and alerts), and coming up next (your nearest important date). To add a widget, look for an "Add Widget" button or plus icon on your dashboard, usually near the top or bottom. Click it and select which widget you want.
Once a widget is on your dashboard, you can move it the same way you move course cards — drag it to a new position. You can also remove a widget by clicking the three-dot menu on it and selecting "Remove". Widgets update automatically, so if you add a calendar widget, it will show new assignments as soon as your instructors post them.
Customizing on Mobile vs. Computer
The Canvas app on your phone and the Canvas website on your computer have separate dashboard layouts. If you customize your computer dashboard, those changes do not automatically appear on your phone, and vice versa. You will need to customize each one separately if you want them to look the same.
The mobile app has fewer customization options than the website. You can usually hide courses and switch between views, but you may not be able to add widgets or drag cards to reorder them. Check your school's Canvas help page or ask your instructor if you are not sure what your version of Canvas supports.
Saving Your Preferences and Troubleshooting
Canvas saves your dashboard changes automatically — you do not have to click a save button. If you make a change and it does not stick (for example, you hide a course but it reappears the next time you log in), try clearing your browser cache or logging out and back in. If you are using an older browser, some customization features may not work; try using Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge instead.
If you want to reset your dashboard to the default layout, look for a reset option in your dashboard settings. This will undo all your customizations and put every course back in the original order. You can always customize again after resetting if you want to start fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my dashboard show only the courses I am taking right now?
Yes. Hide any courses you have finished or are not taking this term by clicking the three-dot menu on each course card and selecting "Hide from Dashboard". Only the courses you want to see will remain visible. You can unhide them anytime if you need to go back to them.
What is the difference between hiding a course and dropping it?
Hiding a course only changes what you see on your dashboard — the course is still in your Canvas account and your grades are still there. Dropping a course is an official action through your school's registration system that removes it from your record. Hiding is just a display preference.
Why do my dashboard changes not show up on my phone?
Canvas treats your phone app and computer website as separate accounts for display purposes. Changes you make on one do not sync to the other. You will need to customize your phone dashboard separately if you want it to match your computer layout.
Can I add a widget that shows all my assignments across every course?
Yes. The "Coming Up Next" or "To Do" widget shows assignments from all your courses in one place, sorted by due date. Add it from the "Add Widget" menu on your dashboard. This is the fastest way to see everything due without clicking into individual courses.
What should I do if a customization option is not showing up?
Try refreshing your browser, clearing your cache, or logging out and back in. If the option still does not appear, you may be using an older browser or your school may have disabled that feature. Check with your school's Canvas support or help desk for what is available in your version.