How could I customize the dashboard?

[kunikotakahashi]

I want to add links at dashboard in order to convenient for students to use.

But I didn't find the function about customize my dashboard.

How could I customize the dashboard? Is it possible to customize it?

Thank you very much!

[masantos]

Hello,

I don't believe there is an option to customize the Canvas dashboard based on what you want to do. You can, however, customize your homepage and Course Navigation. 

Here is an article on how to customize your course navigation: https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-manage-Course-Navigation-links/ta-p/102... 

On your course homepage, I recommend putting easy-access links for your students. For example, you can include images and hyperlink those images, so they can look like buttons. Below are some example homepages I have created. These examples I have linked content within the course, but you can also link external links. When I taught elementary, I would create buttons for Clever and other websites I have my students regularly use on the homepage.

[kunikotakahashi]

@masantos 

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, I have tried a lot on CanvasLMS, but didn't find anything that can be customized at dashboard. 😞

Anyway, thanks for your information about how to customize Homepage and Course Navigation.:)

Takahashi

[chriscas]

Hi @kunikotakahashi,

You could use custom JavaScript/CSS as part of your Canvas theme to make customizations to almost any area.  Depending on exactly what you want to do, the JavaScript/CSS could be very simple or get very complex.  If you do go this route, it would only affect Canvas on the web (not mobile apps).  Also, when doing this, be aware that Canvas could always have an update that would completely break your customizations, so it's something you'd need to check on every now and then.

-Chris

[Chris_Hofer]

@kunikotakahashi ...

I agree with @chriscas.  At our College, we have some custom global JavaScript that modifies some of the links that appear at the very bottom of the Canvas Dashboard screen (the links near the "Privacy Policy", "Cookie Notice", "Acceptable Use Policy", etc.)

[kunikotakahashi]

@Chris_Hofer 

Wow! That sounds the dashboard can be customized for lots of functions!

Should it be modified on source code? Or just upload the CSS/JavaScript file at Theme Editor?

[Chris_Hofer]

@kunikotakahashi ...

Our custom code is just uploaded to the global JavaScript file...not the source code.  Again, though, keep in mind what @chriscas stated above, "Also, when doing this, be aware that Canvas could always have an update that would completely break your customizations, so it's something you'd need to check on every now and then."

[kunikotakahashi]

@chriscas 

Thank you for your reply!

Could you please provide more details on the specific steps involved in this operation?

I am currently using OSS, and I wonder if I should edit the source code or just upload CSS file through the "Open in Theme Editor" option in the Theme. I have attempted to upload JavaScript files for customization of other functions, but unfortunately there's nothing happened. Therefore, I am concerned that if my operation was incorrect.

Thank you once again for your assistance.

Takahashi

[chriscas · Accepted solution]

Hi @kunikotakahashi,

Using custom CSS/JS files would be the way I think most users would approach this, as I'd say most of us use an Instructure-hosted version of Canvas and don't have the ability to modify the source code.  I'd highly suggest checking out the Developers Group here in the community to connect with people who have made some customizations like this and post some some more technical questions about this that are probably going to get better answers there than the egenral question area.

Hope this helps!

-Chris