[Assignments] Add Due Dates in Batches Please

[jonesd4]

I came here to suggest a feature (batch edit add ability to set specific dates for all selected tasks at once, not just shift or remove them), and as per the system requests I had a look at similar requests already made. I found my exact idea, articulated exactly as I would've said it (maybe better), dated back to 2020 (posted below). Once on this post, it was a deadend: I couldn't comment, couldn't upvote it. I could only look at the comments over the years asking why this wasn't done, culminating in a canvas mod noting the idea before locking the thread.  

What's going on with this? Is this being worked on? Here we are 4 years later, and I'm asking for the same thing. It's the end of the semester and I want to be able to lock all tasks before the final in a quick efficient manner. It seems like such an easy piece of programming to implement, what's taking so long? Canvas, after nearly half a decade, are you actually listening?  

[Assignments] Assignment Batch Edit: Add Due Dates in Batches

 

Status: Added to Theme Submitted by -------- on ‎08-10-2020 02:12 PM

In Assignments, once "edit assignment dates" is selected, more than one assignment can be selected and "Batch Edit" can be used. However, Batch Edit can only be used to 1) remove or 2) shift dates. Why can't it be used to add assignment dates? As it functions now, assignments with the same due date must be individually selected in order to apply a due date, and this process must be done for each one. Batch Edit really needs to include adding due dates, and not just removing or shifting.

[SusanNiemeyer]

@jonesd4  I know that my reply doesn't quite answer your question, but have you tried going into "Edit Assignment Dates?" I find that I can fairly quickly edit all of the dates there. 

For anyone coming across this thread: Click on Assignments. Then click on the 3 dots in the upper righthand corner. Choose "Edit Assignment Dates." Then you'll see a table with the available from, available until, and due dates for all of the assignments (and quizzes) in your course. (I find that editing 10 assignments at a time works well. Sometimes, the system gets overloaded with too many changes at once.)

[jonesd4]

 

Yes, I tried that, I know exactly what you're talking about. You cannot set the due date or available date for multiple tasks at a time. You can go down the list and do them one at a time, or you can use the Batch Edit function but that ONLY lets you SHIFT the dates or REMOVE them. You can't just SET a date and then apply that date to multiple tasks at once. 

[jerry_nguyen]

@jonesd4 

There is a script developed by our community member that allows you to adjust multiple dates at the same time through Google Sheets. I think adding due dates this way will be much quicker.

You can take a look here: https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Higher-Ed-Canvas-Users/Adjust-All-Assignment-Dates-on-One-Page/ba...

[shawnski]

This method also doesn't allow you to select who to assign to that assignment. For example, I have three different sections all in the same Canvas shell, each section having different due dates. But I can't select specific sections under Edit Assignment Dates.

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

Hi @jonesd4 ...

The proper way to suggest new ideas is to post them to the Ideas and Themes space here in the Canvas Community.  Documentation on how to post your ideas can be found under the heading "Ideas and Themes" on this page: Instructure Community Guide - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com).

I found the original idea posting...which is located here: [Assignments] Assignment Batch Edit: Add Due Dates... - Instructure Community - 388498 (canvaslms.co....  As you can see, the current status of this idea is "Added to Theme".  You can read more about the different stages by looking at: How do Ideas and Themes work in the Instructure Co... - Instructure Community - 2980 (canvaslms.com).

As far as voting on and commenting on Ideas and Themes, there is some information on that in the document "How do Ideas and Themes work..." which I linked above.  Also, you might want to look at: How do I participate with themes? - Instructure Community - 552455 (canvaslms.com).

I know this really doesn't address your main concern, but I wanted to provide you with these links so that you know the process.  I hope this will help.