Why and how to hide courses from your Canvas dashboard
Canvas lets you hide courses from your main dashboard without deleting them or losing access. When you hide a course, it disappears from your course list on the home page, but you can still find it by searching or by visiting your full course list. This is useful when you've finished a course, are taking a semester off, or straightforward want to reduce clutter on your dashboard so you can focus on active courses.
The hiding process takes about 30 seconds and can be reversed at any time. Your grades, assignments, and all course content stay intact — hiding only changes what shows on your home screen.
Key Takeaways
- Hidden courses disappear from your dashboard but remain accessible through the "All Courses" page or by searching for the course name.
- You can hide a course by clicking the star icon next to the course name on your dashboard, or by using the course menu.
- Hiding a course does not delete it, change your grade, or remove any assignments or materials.
- You can unhide a course at any time using the same method you used to hide it.
Hide a course using the star icon on your dashboard
The fastest way to hide a course is to use the star icon that appears next to each course name on your Canvas home page. Look for the filled star (★) next to the course you want to hide. Click it once, and the star will turn empty (☆), and the course will disappear from your dashboard when ready.
This method works only if you are already on your home page. If you do not see a star icon next to your course name, your Canvas administrator may have disabled this feature, or you may need to scroll right to see it on a mobile device.
Hide a course from the course menu
If the star icon is not visible, you can hide a course through the course settings menu. Open the course you want to hide, then look for the three-dot menu icon (⋯) or a gear icon in the top right corner of the page. Click it to open the menu.
Select "Favorite" or "Star" from the menu (the exact wording depends on your Canvas version). If the option says "Add to Favorites" or "Star This Course," clicking it will add the course to your favorites. If it says "Remove from Favorites" or "Unstar This Course," the course is already favorited, and clicking it will hide the course from your dashboard.
Find a hidden course when you need it
Hidden courses do not disappear permanently — they are straightforward removed from your main dashboard view. To find a hidden course, click "All Courses" at the bottom of your course list on the home page. This page shows every course you are enrolled in, whether it is hidden or not.
You can also search for a course by name using the search bar at the top of Canvas. Type the course name or number, and Canvas will show it in the results even if it is hidden from your dashboard. Once you find it, you can unhide it by clicking the star icon again or using the course menu.
Unhide a course to bring it back to your dashboard
To unhide a course, navigate to the "All Courses" page and find the course you want to restore. Click the empty star icon (☆) next to the course name, and it will turn filled (★) and reappear on your dashboard. Alternatively, open the course directly and use the three-dot or gear menu to select "Add to Favorites" or "Star This Course."
The course will return to your dashboard in the same position it was before, or at the bottom of your course list if Canvas has reorganized your courses. All your grades, assignments, and course materials remain unchanged.
What hiding a course does and does not do
Hiding a course removes it from your home page view only. It does not delete the course, change your grade, remove any assignments, or affect your enrollment. Your instructor can still see that you are enrolled, and you can still submit work if the course is still active.
If a course is archived or has ended, hiding it straightforward keeps it out of sight until you need to reference it later. If a course is currently running and you hide it, you will need to remember to check "All Courses" or search for it if you need to submit assignments or check announcements.
Organize your dashboard by hiding completed or inactive courses
Many students hide courses after the semester ends to keep their dashboard focused on current work. If you are retaking a course, auditing a course, or taking a course pass/fail, hiding previous versions of the same course can reduce confusion about which version is active.
You can hide as many courses as you want. There is no limit to how many courses you can hide or unhide, so you can adjust your dashboard as your enrollment changes throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my instructor know if I hide a course?
No. Hiding a course is a personal dashboard setting that only affects what you see on your home page. Your instructor cannot see whether you have hidden the course, and it does not change your enrollment status or grades.
Can I hide a course I am currently taking?
Yes, you can hide any course you are enrolled in. However, if you hide an active course, remember that you will need to search for it or go to "All Courses" to find assignments, announcements, or due dates. Many students only hide courses after they have finished them to avoid missing important date.
What if I cannot find the star icon next to my course?
Your Canvas administrator may have disabled the star feature for your school. In that case, use the three-dot or gear menu inside the course to find the "Favorite" or "Star" option. If neither method works, contact your school's Canvas support team.
Do hidden courses still send me notifications?
Yes. Hiding a course does not change your notification settings. If you have notifications turned on for a hidden course, you will still receive emails or alerts about announcements, assignments, and messages. You can change notification settings separately in your Canvas preferences.
Can I hide multiple courses at once?
No. Canvas requires you to hide courses one at a time by clicking the star icon or using the menu for each course. There is no bulk hide feature, but the process is quick for each course.