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I want to change the name that people see when I am discussions and other things through canvas. How do I do that?
Solved! Go to Solution.
Hi childs.jenniferand Welcome to the Canvas Community.
Canvas has a built-in administrative permission for users to change their display names which is explained here How do I change the settings in my user account?. However, this permission can be disabled by your school or institution, hence it is something that they may not permit. I have also seen cases where an institution will permit the changing of a name, however may overwrite this periodically when they refresh/update user details automatically.
If you navigate to Account (on the left hand menu) then Settings, then see if you have an edit settings button. If you are able to change your profile name, you will be able to do so on this screen.
If you don't see the option, then I would anticipate your your school/institution has disabled that permission. You could always reach out to your school's Canvas admin to have your display name changed, or your school may have a different formal process for this, however they will be able to assist you further.
Hope this helps!
Stuart
Hi childs.jenniferand Welcome to the Canvas Community.
Canvas has a built-in administrative permission for users to change their display names which is explained here How do I change the settings in my user account?. However, this permission can be disabled by your school or institution, hence it is something that they may not permit. I have also seen cases where an institution will permit the changing of a name, however may overwrite this periodically when they refresh/update user details automatically.
If you navigate to Account (on the left hand menu) then Settings, then see if you have an edit settings button. If you are able to change your profile name, you will be able to do so on this screen.
If you don't see the option, then I would anticipate your your school/institution has disabled that permission. You could always reach out to your school's Canvas admin to have your display name changed, or your school may have a different formal process for this, however they will be able to assist you further.
Hope this helps!
Stuart
Wonderful, but does not work for me. I am trying to get rid of my husband's online gaming persona name which for no known reason is not what shows up as my profile name when I ask or answer questions on the Community. I am certain that my University does not know this name and had nothing to do with the bizarre change of profile name. I had someone comment to me while back that it was unprofessional (no kidding!) but I cannot change it. Please tell me step by step what to do, I have been all over the profile settings, yet I remain Spaminabox, even though my login returns "Welcome, Elizabeth!
..."now" what shows up...
@ElizabethWI ...
I'm replying to your various postings this evening. This was my reply to your other topic: Re: changing the username - Instructure Community. Keep me posted if editing your username is possible. Otherwise, as I mentioned in the other thread, I'll reach out to the Community Manager team for you to get this resolved.
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