Canvas lets you hide courses so they no longer clutter your dashboard, but the course still exists and you can unhide it later
When you hide a course in Canvas, it disappears from your main course list and dashboard—but the course itself is not deleted. Your grades, assignments, and all course content remain intact. You can unhide the course at any time if you need to access it again. This is useful when you have completed a course, taken a break, or straightforward want to reduce the number of active courses showing on your screen.
The process differs slightly depending on whether you are hiding a course from your dashboard or from within the course itself. Both methods take less than a minute and require no special permissions—you can hide any course you are enrolled in.
Key Takeaways
- Hiding a course removes it from your dashboard and course list but does not delete it or erase your grades and assignments.
- You can hide a course directly from your dashboard by clicking the three-dot menu next to the course card.
- You can also hide a course from inside the course by going to Settings and selecting the hide option.
- Hidden courses can be unhidden at any time through your course list or dashboard settings.
- Hiding a course does not affect your instructor's ability to see your enrollment or grades.
How to hide a course from your dashboard
The quickest way to hide a course is directly from your dashboard. Look at the course card you want to hide and locate the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the upper right corner of that card. Click or tap those dots to open a small menu.
From that menu, select "Hide from Dashboard" or "Hide" (the exact wording depends on your Canvas version). The course card will when ready disappear from your dashboard view. You will no longer see it when you log in, but the course data remains in Canvas and your instructor can still see your enrollment and grades.
How to hide a course from inside the course
If you are already inside a course and want to hide it, navigate to the Settings link. This is usually located in the left sidebar navigation menu near the bottom, or you can find it in the course menu at the top of the page.
Once in Settings, look for an option that says "Hide from Dashboard" or "Hide this Course". Check the box next to it and scroll down to click "Update Course Details" or "Save" (depending on your Canvas version). The course will then be hidden from your dashboard.
Where hidden courses go and how to find them
When you hide a course, it does not vanish completely—it moves to a separate section. To see all your courses, including hidden ones, click on "Courses" in the main navigation menu at the top of Canvas. This shows your full course list with options to view hidden courses.
Look for a filter or toggle that says "Show Concluded Courses" or "Include Hidden Courses". Clicking this will display all your courses, both active and hidden, in one list. Hidden courses often appear grayed out or marked with a "hidden" label so you can tell them apart from active ones.
How to unhide a course
To unhide a course, go to your full Courses list (click "Courses" in the main menu) and enable the view that shows hidden courses. Find the course you want to unhide and click the three-dot menu next to it.
Select "Show on Dashboard" or "Unhide" from the menu. The course will reappear on your dashboard when ready. Alternatively, if you go back into the course itself and return to Settings, you can uncheck the "Hide from Dashboard" box and save your changes.
What happens to your grades and assignments when you hide a course
Hiding a course does not affect your grades, assignments, or any course content. Your instructor can still see that you are enrolled, view your grades, and access any work you have submitted. The course remains in Canvas's system—you are straightforward choosing not to see it on your personal dashboard.
If you need to reference old assignments, grades, or course materials after hiding a course, you can unhide it temporarily, view what you need, and hide it again. Your data is never lost by hiding a course.
Why you might want to hide courses
Students hide courses for several reasons. You might hide a course after you have finished it and no longer need regular access. You might hide a course you are auditing or taking for reference only. Some students hide courses to keep their dashboard focused on current, active courses and reduce visual clutter.
Teachers sometimes hide courses that are no longer in session but need to remain in the system for record-keeping. Parents or guardians monitoring student accounts might hide courses to simplify the view. Whatever your reason, hiding is a personal preference that does not change how the course functions or how your instructor sees your enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I hide a course, will my instructor know?
No. Your instructor cannot see whether you have hidden a course from your dashboard. They can still see your enrollment, grades, and all your work. Hiding only affects what appears on your personal view.
Can I hide a course I am currently taking?
Yes, you can hide any course you are enrolled in, whether it is active or completed. However, hiding an active course means you will need to unhide it or navigate through your full course list to access assignments and materials, so most students hide courses only after they are done.
What if I hide a course and forget which one it was?
Go to your full Courses list and enable the filter to show hidden courses. All your hidden courses will appear in that view, usually marked or grayed out. You can unhide any of them from there.
Does hiding a course delete my grades?
No. Your grades, assignments, and all course content remain in Canvas permanently. Hiding only removes the course from your dashboard display. You can view your grades anytime by unhiding the course or viewing your full course list.
Can I hide multiple courses at once?
Canvas does not have a bulk hide feature, so you will need to hide each course individually by clicking the menu next to each course card or going into Settings for each course. It takes only a few seconds per course.