How do I send a message to students from the Gradebook?

You can use the Gradebook to send messages to your students. This lesson describes how to message students using the Message Students Who option. You can also message students individually in the Gradebook by using the student context card.

Message subjects are filtered based on specific assignment categories:

  • Haven't submitted yet—students who haven't submitted the assignment, even if they have been manually awarded a grade.
  • Haven't been graded—students whose assignments have not yet been graded (submitted or unsubmitted).
  • Scored less than [point value]—students who earned a grade on their assignment less than X number of points.
  • Scored more than [point value]—students who earned a grade on their assignment more than X number of points.  

Although one message most likely will be sent to multiple students at the same time, each student will receive an individual message.

Open Gradebook

Open Gradebook

In Course Navigation, click the Grades link.

Open Assignment Menu

Open Assignment

Hover over the assignment column header and click the Options icon.

Message Students

Message Students

Click the Message Students Who link.

Select Message Category

By default, Canvas will show names from the Have not been graded category.

In the For students who.. drop-down menu [1], select the category of students you want to message. You can remove all users with a given role from the message recipients by deselecting their role [2]. To remove specific users, click Show all recipients[3]. The assignment name shows in the Subject field [4].

Manage Recipients

You can manage individual recipients included in a message. To remove a user, click the Remove icon [1]. To add a user, click the Add icon [2].

Send Message

Type a message to the students in the message field [1]. Click the Send Message button [2].

Note: Although one message most likely will be sent to multiple students at the same time, each student will receive an individual message.