How to delete a course you no longer need
You can remove a course from Canvas by deleting it entirely or by hiding it from your dashboard so you do not see it anymore. Deletion is permanent and removes all course content, files, and grades — use this only if you are certain you will not need the course again. Hiding a course keeps it in your account but removes it from your active course list, which is the safer choice if you might need to reference it later.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are an instructor (who can delete a course) or a student (who can only hide it from view). Both processes take less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Instructors can permanently delete a course, which removes all content and cannot be undone; students can only hide courses from their dashboard.
- To hide a course as a student, click the three-dot menu next to the course name and select "Hide from dashboard".
- To delete a course as an instructor, go to Settings, then Danger Zone, then Delete this Course — you must confirm the deletion twice.
- Deleting a course erases all grades, assignments, and files associated with it, so export any records you need before deleting.
- Hidden courses remain in your Canvas account and can be unhidden at any time by reversing the same menu option.
How students hide a course from their dashboard
As a student, you cannot delete a course, but you can remove it from your active course list. Open Canvas and look at your dashboard — the main page showing all your enrolled courses. Find the course you want to hide and look for the three-dot menu icon (sometimes called a "more options" menu) in the top right corner of that course card.
Click the three dots and select "Hide from dashboard" from the dropdown menu. The course will disappear from your main course list when ready. Your grades, assignments, and all course content remain in your Canvas account — hiding only removes it from your view. You can unhide the course at any time by going to your account settings, finding the hidden courses section, and selecting the course to restore it to your dashboard.
How instructors permanently delete a course
If you are an instructor and need to remove a course entirely, you can delete it. Open the course and click the Settings gear icon, usually located in the left navigation menu or at the top right of the page. Scroll down to the bottom of the Settings page until you see a section labeled "Danger Zone" — this is where destructive actions live.
Click "Delete this Course". Canvas will ask you to confirm by typing the course name or a confirmation message. After you confirm, the course and all its contents — assignments, grades, files, discussions, and student submissions — are permanently deleted. This action cannot be undone, so make sure you have exported or saved any records you need before proceeding.
What happens to grades and files when you delete a course
Deleting a course removes all grades associated with it from your gradebook. If students need transcripts or records of their work, those grades will no longer be available in Canvas. Before deleting, read a copy of the gradebook by going to Grades, clicking the read icon, and saving the file to your computer.
All course files, including syllabus documents, lecture notes, and student submissions, are also deleted. If you need to keep any of these materials, export the course content first. In Settings, look for an export or backup option — Canvas allows you to read a course backup file that preserves the structure and content. This file can be imported into a new course later if needed.
How to export a course before deleting it
Canvas lets you save a copy of your course before deletion. Open the course and go to Settings. Look for an option labeled "Export Course Content" or "Course Import and Export" — the exact name varies by Canvas version. Click it and select the content you want to export: you can choose assignments, discussions, files, pages, and other materials.
Canvas will prepare a file (usually a .zip or .imscc file) that you can read to your computer. This file preserves the course structure so you can import it into a new course later. The export process may take a few minutes if your course is large. Once the file is ready, Canvas will notify you and provide a read link. Save this file somewhere you can find it before you delete the course.
Hiding versus deleting: which option to choose
Choose hiding if you think you might need to reference the course later, want to keep student grades on record, or are unsure about removing it permanently. Hidden courses take up no space on your dashboard and do not clutter your course list, but they remain fully intact in your account. You can unhide them in seconds if you change your mind.
Choose deletion only if you are certain you will never need the course again and have no reason to keep the grades or files. Deletion is permanent and irreversible. If you are an instructor cleaning up old courses, consider hiding them first for a semester to make sure no one needs them before you delete.
Unhiding a course you previously hid
If you hid a course and want to restore it to your dashboard, go to your Canvas account settings. Click on your profile icon (usually in the top right corner) and select "Settings". Look for a section called "Hidden Courses" or "Courses" — this shows all courses you have hidden.
Find the course you want to unhide and click the option to restore it or show it on your dashboard. The course will reappear in your main course list when ready. All your grades, assignments, and course content will be exactly as you left them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a course after I delete it?
No. Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. Canvas does not keep a trash bin or recovery option for deleted courses. If you deleted a course by mistake, contact your Canvas administrator to see if they can restore it from a backup, but this is not may provide. Always export your course before deleting if you think you might need it later.
What if I delete a course but students still need their grades?
Once a course is deleted, the grades are gone from Canvas. If you need to provide students with grade records, read the gradebook before you delete. You can then share the file with students or your registrar's office. Some institutions keep grade records in a separate system, so check with your school before deleting.
Does hiding a course affect my student's access to it?
No. Hiding a course only removes it from your dashboard view. Students enrolled in the course can still see it and access all materials. Hiding is for your organization only and does not change who can see or use the course.
Can I delete a course if students are still enrolled?
Yes, Canvas allows you to delete a course even if students are enrolled. However, this will erase all their grades and submissions. Most institutions recommend hiding the course instead or waiting until after grades are finalized and recorded elsewhere.
How long does it take to export a course?
Export time depends on the course size. A small course with a few assignments may take a few minutes, while a large course with many files and submissions can take 15 to 30 minutes or longer. Canvas will send you a notification when the export is ready to read.