Where to find your past courses in Canvas
Your previous courses appear in Canvas under the All Courses tab, which shows every course you have ever enrolled in—both current and past. To reach this view, click the Courses link in the left sidebar, then select All Courses near the top of the page. Canvas displays all your courses in one list, with current courses usually pinned at the top and older courses below them.
By default, Canvas sorts courses with the most recent first. You can scroll through the list to find a course from any semester or year you have been enrolled. If you have taken many courses, scrolling can take time, so using the search or filter options (covered in the next section) is usually faster.
Key Takeaways
- Click Courses in the left sidebar, then All Courses, to see every course you have ever taken in Canvas.
- Use the search box at the top of the courses list to find a specific course by name or course number instead of scrolling.
- Courses you have concluded or are no longer enrolled in still appear in your All Courses list and remain fully accessible.
- You can view course materials, assignments, and grades from past courses the same way you would in an active course.
- If a course does not appear, check with your instructor or institution—some courses may be archived or removed after a set time.
Using the search box to find a specific past course
The fastest way to locate a previous course is to use the search box at the top of your courses list. Type the course name, course number, or instructor name into the search field, and Canvas filters the list in real time. For example, typing "Biology 101" or "Fall 2022" will narrow the results to courses matching those terms.
Search is case-insensitive, so you do not need to worry about capitalization. If you remember only part of the course title, type what you remember—Canvas will show all courses containing those words. This method works even if you have taken dozens of courses and would otherwise need to scroll for several minutes.
Viewing materials and grades from past courses
Once you have found a previous course in your All Courses list, click on it to open it just as you would an active course. You can view the syllabus, course modules, assignments, discussion posts, and your grades. Past courses remain fully functional in Canvas—nothing is hidden or locked straightforward because the course has ended.
Your grades from past courses appear in the Grades section of each course. Click on any assignment to see your submission, feedback from your instructor, and the score you received. This is useful if you need to review course material for a later class, study for a cumulative exam, or check a grade you received.
Pinning and unpinning courses to organize your list
Canvas lets you pin courses to the top of your list so they stay visible without scrolling. To pin a course, hover over it in your All Courses view and click the pin icon that appears. Pinned courses stay at the top in the order you pinned them, making it straightforward to keep frequently used past courses within reach.
You can unpin a course the same way—hover over it and click the pin icon again. Unpinning does not remove the course from your list; it straightforward moves it back to the full list below your pinned courses. This is helpful if you pinned a past course temporarily while working on a project and want to unclutter your view later.
What to do if a past course is missing from your list
If you cannot find a course you know you took, the course may have been archived or removed by your institution. Some schools delete courses after a certain period—often one to three years—to keep Canvas databases manageable. Check with your instructor or your school's Canvas support team to find out whether the course was archived and whether it can be restored.
Another possibility is that you were never officially enrolled in the course in your institution's system, even if you attended. Contact your registrar or the course instructor to confirm your enrollment status. If you were enrolled, they can help you regain access or provide you with course materials through another method.
Downloading or saving materials from past courses
If you want to keep a copy of course materials after the course ends, you can read files directly from the course. Open the past course, navigate to the module or assignment containing the file, and click the read icon next to the file name. You can also take screenshots of important information or use your browser's print-to-PDF feature to save pages.
Some instructors also provide a course export or archive file that contains all course materials in one package. If this option is available, your instructor will usually mention it in the course syllabus or final announcement. Downloading materials is a good practice if you think you may need to reference the course later and are concerned the course might be archived.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I re-enroll in a past course I took?
No, Canvas does not allow you to re-enroll yourself. If you need to take a course again, you must register through your school's registration system. Once you are officially enrolled, the course will appear in your Canvas list as a current course.
Will my past courses disappear from Canvas eventually?
That depends on your institution's policy. Some schools keep all courses indefinitely; others archive or delete courses after one to three years. Check your school's Canvas support page or contact your institution directly to learn their retention policy.
Can I see my past courses on the Canvas mobile app?
Yes, the Canvas mobile app shows your past courses in the same way the web version does. Open the app, tap Courses, and scroll to find your previous courses. The search function works on mobile as well.
What if I need a transcript or official record of a past course?
Canvas grades are not official transcripts. Contact your registrar's office to request an official transcript, which is the document schools and employers recognize. Your registrar can provide this whether or not the course still appears in Canvas.