The basic steps to add a course in Canvas

To add a course in Canvas, you log in, go to your Dashboard, and click the plus icon next to "Courses" on the left sidebar. Canvas will show you a list of courses you are enrolled in but have not yet added to your Dashboard. Select the course you want and click "Add Course". The course then appears in your sidebar so you can access it quickly without scrolling through all available courses.

If the course you need does not appear in that list, it means you are not yet enrolled in it. You will need to ask your instructor for an enrollment code, or your school's registrar may need to add you to the course roster before it shows up in Canvas at all.

The process takes about 30 seconds once you are logged in. Canvas remembers your choice, so you only do this once per course.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the plus icon next to "Courses" on your Dashboard sidebar to see courses you can add.
  • Only courses you are already enrolled in will appear in the list to add.
  • Once you add a course, it stays in your sidebar for the rest of the term.
  • If your course does not appear, contact your instructor or registrar to confirm you are enrolled.

Finding the plus icon on your Dashboard

When you log into Canvas, you land on your Dashboard. On the left side of the screen, you will see a sidebar with "Courses" as a heading. Next to that heading is a small plus sign icon. This is what you click to add a course.

If you do not see the sidebar, your screen may be too narrow. Make your browser window wider, or on a phone, look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left. Tap that to open the sidebar.

Selecting from the list of available courses

After you click the plus icon, Canvas shows you every course you are enrolled in but have not yet pinned to your sidebar. The list includes the course code, course name, and sometimes the instructor's name. Find the course you want and click on it.

Courses are usually listed in the order they appear in your school's system, not alphabetically. If you have many courses, you may need to scroll down to find the one you are looking for. You can add multiple courses this way—just click the plus icon again after adding the first one.

What happens after you add a course

Once you click to add a course, it moves from the "available to add" list into your sidebar under "Courses". You will see it there the next time you log in, and every time after that for the rest of the term. You do not have to do anything else—Canvas saves your choice automatically.

The course now appears in the order you added it, unless you drag it to reorder it. To reorder courses in your sidebar, click and hold on the course name, then drag it up or down to where you want it.

Removing a course from your sidebar

If you add a course by mistake, or you no longer need quick access to it, you can remove it from your sidebar without unenrolling from the course itself. Hover over the course name in your sidebar, and a small X icon will appear. Click the X to remove it from your sidebar.

Removing a course from your sidebar does not drop you from the course or delete any of your work. The course still exists in Canvas—you just have to find it a different way if you need it later. You can always add it back to your sidebar by clicking the plus icon again.

If your course does not appear in the list

Canvas only shows you courses that your school's system says you are enrolled in. If a course you need is not in the list, one of three things is true: you are not yet enrolled in it, the enrollment has not synced from your school's registration system to Canvas yet, or you are looking in the wrong Canvas account.

Contact your instructor and ask them to confirm you are on the roster. If you are, ask them how long it usually takes for new enrollments to show up in Canvas at your school—this can be anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. If it has been longer than that, your school's IT help desk can check whether the enrollment has synced.

If you have multiple Canvas accounts (for example, if you attend more than one school), make sure you are logged into the right one. Canvas accounts are separate by institution.

Organizing multiple courses in your sidebar

Once you have added several courses, your sidebar can get crowded. You can reorder them by dragging, as mentioned above. You can also remove courses you are not actively using right now and add them back later when you need them.

Some instructors ask students to add their course to the sidebar on the first day of class so everyone can see announcements and assignments. If you are unsure whether to add a course, check your syllabus or ask your instructor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a course if I am not officially enrolled yet?

No. Canvas pulls enrollment data from your school's registration system, so you have to be on the official roster first. Ask your instructor or registrar to add you, then wait a few minutes to an hour for the system to sync. After that, the course will appear in your list to add.

What if I accidentally remove a course from my sidebar?

Click the plus icon next to "Courses" again. The course will still be in the list of available courses, and you can add it back. Removing it from your sidebar does not affect your enrollment or your grades.

Do I have to add every course I am enrolled in?

No. Adding a course to your sidebar is just a shortcut so you can reach it quickly from your Dashboard. You can still access any course you are enrolled in by searching for it or scrolling through your full course list, even if it is not pinned to your sidebar.

Why is my course not showing up even though I am enrolled?

There is usually a delay between when your school's registration system adds you and when Canvas receives that information. Wait 30 minutes to an hour and refresh your browser. If it still does not appear, contact your school's Canvas support or IT help desk—they can check whether the enrollment has synced on their end.

Can I reorder my courses in the sidebar?

Yes. Click and hold on any course name in your sidebar, then drag it up or down to the position you want. Canvas saves the new order automatically.