Publish/Unpublish modules and items

[RussellStaples]

A) I don't want my entire course published when I import and B) When it does, I want to be able to unpublish modules in their entirety and not item by item. Why does Canvas not allow this functionality?

Thanks!

[KristinL · Accepted solution]

While I cannot speak to why this functionality has not been added to Canvas, there are some long-standing ideas regarding the need to easily unpublish/publish items. Product Team members use these threads to help scope new projects. What is the feature development process for Instructure products? 

• Publish / Unpublish ALL Option - Instructure Community  
• Importing a Canvas Course - Set all to unpublished - Instructure Community  

I hope you contribute to these conversations and you rate (star) the idea.

[KristinL · Accepted solution]

While I cannot speak to why this functionality has not been added to Canvas, there are some long-standing ideas regarding the need to easily unpublish/publish items. Product Team members use these threads to help scope new projects. What is the feature development process for Instructure products? 

• Publish / Unpublish ALL Option - Instructure Community  
• Importing a Canvas Course - Set all to unpublished - Instructure Community  

I hope you contribute to these conversations and you rate (star) the idea.

[RussellStaples]

Good grief I noticed one of these links starts in 2016? I guess there is no plan for this. Thanks!

[SusanNiemeyer]

@RussellStaples @KristinL 

I have been trying to raise awareness of this issue for some time. It's fallen on deaf ears, I'm afraid.

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Question-Forum/Death-by-a-thousand-clicks/m-p/523511

[KristinL · Accepted solution]

Hi! I have great news to share with everyone who has followed this thread!

The Bulk Publish and Unpublish Module Items option has been added to Canvas. Please read the Canvas Release Notes (2023-06-17) for more information.

[GregaS]

While I appreciate the recent "Bulk Publish and Unpublish Module Items" feature, it unfortunately doesn't address the need for bulk publishing/unpublishing individual files within modules. This remains a significant challenge for instructors managing courses with numerous files, especially when copying content from previous years.

For example, in my courses, I typically have as many as 20 files per module that I need to publish/unpublish at the start and end of each semester. Clicking on each file individually and then selecting one of the several options is not only time-consuming but also disrupts my workflow.

I believe a simple checkbox option for bulk selection during individual publishing/unpublishing, or an extension of the "Bulk Publish and Unpublish Module Items" feature to files, would greatly improve efficiency for instructors like myself. It's really difficult to understand why this hasn't been done yet. 

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi there, @GregaS ...

In a way, bulk publishing of files within a module does exist already.  However, it's not through the "Modules" screen.  There are two options that I think would work for you...both located in the "Files" area of your course.

• Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard, and then individually select the files that you want to publish (or set to a different state like "Unpublish" or "Only available with link").  While those files are still selected, click on the icon with the picture of the cloud with a padlock.  Select the "Publish" radio button, and then click the "Update" button.  Those files will then be published.
• Organize your files into folders within the "Files" area of your course.  You might consider naming your files the same name as the module names in your course.  Put any files that you want into those folders...even if the files are currently unpublished.  Then, instead of selecting all the files within the folder, select the folder itself, and publish the folder.  The files within the folder should also change to published.

Either of these options should also publish the files that are displayed within each of your modules.  See these two Guides for more information:

• How do I set usage rights and user access for a co... - Instructure Community - 796 (canvaslms.com)
• How do I restrict files and folders to students in... - Instructure Community - 610 (canvaslms.com)

I hope this will be of help to you in some way.  Sing out if you have any questions...thanks!