The Instructure Community will enter a read-only state on November 22, 2025 as we prepare to migrate to our new Community platform in early December. Read our blog post for more info about this change.
Found this content helpful? Log in or sign up to leave a like!
Hi everyone,
I'm trying to update the Syllabus for my course, but the changes do not save. I'm wondering if there are restrictions on editing the Syllabus page? Is there a maximum length? Anything else that would keep it from updating?
Here's what is happening:
I have tried blanking out the Syllabus so there is no text on the page at all. I'm at a loss. Any suggestions?
Thanks for your time,
Traci Gardner
Virginia Tech
Solved! Go to Solution.
Apparently this is a bug that has to do with the a11y tool. At my school, a campus admin can manually help you. There is no automated fix yet afaik (not that I'd be on the list of people who are the first to know such things).
Traci
I've made a little 30-second video that shows what is happening.
Hi @tengrrl ,
The first thing I always suggest is to make sure your operating system and browser are up to date and to clear your cache.
A couple of other possibilities come to mind:
-Are you trying to work in a closed course? If the course is past its End Date, it will be in read-only status. If you want to use content from a prior course, import it into a currently active course and then edit it there.
-Is the course a Blueprint course? Some institutions and/or departments push out Blueprint courses containing some content that is uneditable.
Hi @TrishaMeyer1,
In addition to the suggestions from @TrishaMeyer1, I would suggest reaching out to your local Canvas team (usually in the eLearning / IT / Digital Education areas) about this. I watched your video, and the behavior is very unusual. It seems like you get your updated syllabus content for a second after you save, then the old stuff comes back. I wonder if VT may be using some kind of custom code to lock syllabus content does or insert it form some other source automatically. I can definitely say our Canvas environment doesn't have the same behavior yours does, so it's either something set up by your institution, or a local issue on your device (see the advice from Trisha if so).
-Chris
Apparently this is a bug that has to do with the a11y tool. At my school, a campus admin can manually help you. There is no automated fix yet afaik (not that I'd be on the list of people who are the first to know such things).
Traci
Community helpTo interact with Panda Bot, our automated chatbot, you need to sign up or log in:
Sign inTo interact with Panda Bot, our automated chatbot, you need to sign up or log in:
Sign in