How do I use the Total column in the Gradebook?

The Total column in the Gradebook displays a running total of all graded assignments in the course, including assignments with hidden grades.

You can customize the Total column in your Gradebook. The Total column can be moved to the front of the Gradebook or sorted to display grades in an ascending or descending order. You can switch your students' total grades from a percentage to a point value in the Gradebook. By default, total grades are shown as a percentage with two decimal places.

Notes:

  • Viewing total grades as a point value is available only if you use unweighted assignment groups in your course. When assignment groups are weighted, points cannot be displayed for the total grade.
  • Viewing the Total column in the Gradebook may be restricted when multiple grading periods are enabled. This feature also limits viewing the total grade in the student Grades page.
  • When Multiple Grading Periods are enabled in a course and grading periods are weighted, points cannot be displayed for the total grade.
  • If you do not see the Total column, it may be hidden. Learn more about view options in the Gradebook.

Open Grades

Open Grades

In Course Navigation, click the Grades link.

Open Total Column Menu

Open Total Column Menu

Hover over the Total column header and click the More Options menu.

Sort Total Column

Sort Total Column

To sort the Gradebook by ascending or descending total grades, click the Sort by link [1], then select the Grade - Low to High or Grade - High to Low option [2].

Switch to Points

Switch to Points

By default, total grades are shown as a percentage with two decimal places.

If your course uses unweighted assignment groups, you can view your students' total grades as points. Click the Display as Points link.

View Points Warning

Canvas confirms you want to switch the total grade view. If you do not want to see this warning message for your course again, click the Don't show... checkbox [1].

Click the Continue button [2].

Switch to Percentages

Switch to Percentages

You can switch back to percentages by clicking the Total menu icon and selecting Display as Percentage.

Move Total Column

Move Total Column

To move the Total column to the front of the Gradebook, click the Move to Front link.

Message Students Who

Message Students Who

To send a message to a group of students based on their grades, click the Message Students Who link.

Select Message Recipients

Select a group of users to receive the message. By default, the message is for students who have a Total grade higher than the Cutoff Value.

To send the message to students whose total grade is lower than a number, click the For students who drop-down menu [1], and select the Total grade lower than option.

Enter a percentage grade in the Cutoff Value field [2].

To select or deselect users with a given role, click the checkboxes in the Send Message To field [3].

To view, add, or remove specific users, click the Show all recipients link [4].

Enter Message Content

By default, the subject is a message based on your selections. To edit the subject, enter a different subject in the Subject field [1].

Type a message to the students in the Message field [2].

To attach a file to the message, click the Attach button [3].

To create a media recording or upload a media file, click the Media icon [4].

To send the message, click the Send button [5].

Notes: