outlook to email students

[sumithra_iyer]

Is there any way I can use only my outlook to email students instead of going to canvas each time?

[scottdennis · Accepted solution]

Hello  @sumithra_iyer  and welcome to the Canvas Community!

Canvas has inbox messaging which is designed for quick messaging back and forth from within Canvas.  Users may choose to receive notifications about inbox messages that are sent to their external email address.  If they reply to inbox message notifications the reply will go back to be read by the original sender in Canvas or wherever their own notifications settings take the conversation.

Canvas does not have a true email integration however so if you are wanting to use Outlook to communicate with your students I would recommend looking in the MS forums for help with setting up distribution lists or contacting your institution's support center to learn what options likely exist within how they have Outlook set up.

[sumithra_iyer]

ok thank you!!!

[sumithra_iyer]

Is there anyway to highlight or use different font size on canvas emails?

Dr.Sumithra Iyer

Math Faculty

HCCS-Northwest

[scottdennis]

Hi Dr Iyer,

Like I said before, Canvas doesn't have email or a real equivalent to it.  The inbox messages do not allow for html or formatting because they were designed originally to allow people to view them on a variety of mobile devices, including getting notifications as SMS text messages.  They work well for people who want to use them for quick, simple messaging but usually frustrate people looking for something equivalent to email.

[Stef_retired]

 @sumithra_iyer  Welcome to the Canvas Community!

Canvas doesn't have email. Whether you are able to send a mass email to all of your students from Outlook depends on whether the Outlook email application is associated with your school or if you have installed and are managing it on your own. If your Outlook account is provided by your school, please ask them if a mass email to students is something they have facilitated for their faculty; if you're managing it on your own, check Microsoft support forums to learn more about setting up group distribution lists.