[ARCHIVED] How can I update the Text entry "instructions"?

[mack]

For a written assessment, our students will need to use the text entry box in a Canvas Assignment (online text entry only). The text entry box pops up with the message "Copy and paste or type your submission right here" (see screenshot attached). Our students must type their answers and are not allowed to copy and paste (for many different reasons that I won't go into here). I cannot find a way to edit that line so that it does not include the phrase "Copy and paste" - does anyone have any tips on how I might do it?

[rmurchshafer · Accepted solution]

Hi Sara,

There really isn't a way to change that text.  I have seen some tricks using Global Javascript or CSS to modify or hide specific text strings, but that would need to be done system wide; not just within a single course or assignment. My advice is to simply make sure in the written instructions for the Assignment to spell out the expectations that they must type their answer and not copy/paste if that is requirement.  Canvas has that option I believe because depending on the length of an answer it's often easier to type it in another application first and then paste it.  Not that it happens very often, but if someone is writing into a text entry box and they lose their internet connection before clicking Submit, they could lose all their work.  

Rick

[mack]

Thanks for the answer, Rick. Another good argument here for making that text box rich content editor include an autosave like in Quizzes. (In fact, even the comment I am writing this very minute is autosaving! But our students still don't get that option on an Assignment text entry.) Any Canvas friends willing to help vote that up, please check it out here: https://community.canvaslms.com/ideas/1300-auto-save-in-rich-content-editor