[ARCHIVED] What is unsubmitted state mean in Canvas Data Submission_dim table workflow state field

[JunhanOuyang]

Hello. I have a question about the Canvas Data Submission_dim datatable workflow state field, what does it mean when the workflow state is unsubmitted? Because for what I know, canvas doesn't allow you to unsubmit assignment

Also when I was typing up the question, the Question Forum redirect me to a product release Notes in 2015, and says unsubmit action is automatically created by canvas when user submit an empty text box entry. But the update have fix the problem.

But when I was taking a look at the database, there is still unsubmitted assignment submit action this year? So can anyone explain it to me what does it mean for a submission to be in a unsubmitted workflow state?

Thanks

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Releases-Board/Canvas-Production-Release-Notes-2015-04-25/...

Above is the Product Release Notes I am talking about

[James · Accepted solution]

@JunhanOuyang 

In American English, the prefix un often means not. The word unsubmitted should be interpreted as not submitted. It means that the student has not submitted the assignment, not that they have submitted and then somehow removed that submission.

From the Canvas Data documentation: possible values are graded, pending_review, submitted, and unsubmitted.

[JunhanOuyang]

Sorry, a follow-up question. But when I was checking the Canvas database. I notice there is a timestamp associate with unsubmitted action. Then when is the timestamp generated? Is it when the assignment was created or is it when the assignment was due? Thanks again

[ryucali]

@James I have the same question as above, i.e., what the "created_at" timestamp means for "unsubmitted" submissions.

[James]

@ryucali thanks for tagging me on this. I missed it when @JunhanOuyang originally asked.

A submission entry is tied to an assignment and a student. The created_at refers to when that submission entry was created. That could be when the assignment was created, but it could also be when a student was enrolled in the course. It happens for existing students when you add a new assignment or for existing assignments when you add a new student enrollment.

The created_at should reflect when the entry was first initialized and should not change depending on the status of the submission.