You may be able to add annotations to an assignment submission. Canvas DocViewer is a tool that allows annotations in online assignment submissions. Annotations made in Canvas Student can be viewed by your instructor when grading your submission.
If a file is not compatible with DocViewer, the document previewer will still display the file, but DocViewer markup and commenting will not be available.
The images in this lesson are shown for a phone display, but unless otherwise noted, tablet displays mirror the same steps.
Notes:
- Files over 100 MB and password-protected files will not be converted by DocViewer.
- It may take up to ten minutes after an assignment is submitted for the Student app to display a document that supports DocViewer.
Open Submission
From the Assignment Details page, tap the Submission & Rubric link.
Annotate File
Tap the Annotate icon.
View Annotation Tools
Select an annotation tool by tapping the annotation icon [1]. When selected, the icon will include a white background. To stop using an annotation tool, tap the annotation icon again.
To undo the last action made, tap the Undo button [2].
If a submission includes more than one page, view the additional pages by swiping up on your screen.
Add Point Annotation
To leave a point annotation, tap the Point annotation icon [1].
Tap the area where you want to add the annotation [2].
Add Comment
Point annotations immediately require a comment. In the Reply field [1], type the comment for the point annotation. Tap the Send icon [2].
To delete your comment, tap the Delete icon [1]. To return to the submission, tap the Done link [2].
Modify Point Annotation
To move the annotation, tap and hold the annotation icon in the document [1]. Drag the annotation to the new area.
To view and modify your annotation comment, tap the Comments button [2].
To delete the annotation, tap the Delete icon [3]. Deleting an annotation will also delete any associated comments.
Add Highlight Annotation
To highlight text within the document, tap the Highlight icon [1]. To select the highlight color, tap the Color icon [2].
To add a highlight annotation, tap and drag within the submission [3].
Modify Highlight Annotation
To modify the annotation, tap and hold the annotation.
To add a comment to the highlight annotation, tap the Comments button [1]. To style the annotation, tap the Style button [2].
To delete a highlight annotation, tap the Delete icon [3]. Deleting an annotation will also delete any associated comments.
Add Text Annotation
To add text directly in the submission, tap the Free text icon [1]. To select the text color, tap the Color icon [2].
Then tap the area where you want to add the annotation.
In the text field [1], enter the text you want to add for the annotation. To change the size of the text, tap the Point link [2].
When you are done, tap the Done link [3].
Modify Text Annotation
To modify the annotation, tap the annotation text box [1].
To move the annotation, tap and hold the annotation outline in the document. Drag the annotation to the new area.
To add comments to the annotation, tap the Comments button [2].
To change the text size or color, tap the Inspector button [3].
To edit the annotated text, tap the Edit button [4].
To delete a text annotation, tap the Delete icon [5]. Deleting an annotation will also delete any associated comments.
Add Strikeout Text Annotation
To indicate that text should be deleted, tap the Strikeout icon [1]. To select the strikeout color, tap the Color icon [2].
Tap and drag to strikeout text within the submission. A line will appear, striking through the text [3].
Note: Depending on your screen size, you may have to tap the Options icon to view the Strikeout icon.
Modify Strikeout Text Annotation
To modify the annotation, tap the annotation [1].
To add a comment, tap the Comments button [2].
To style the strikeout as a solid line or a highlighted background, or to change the strikeout color or annotation opacity, tap the Style button [3].
To delete a strikeout annotation, tap the Delete icon [4].
Add Draw Annotation
To make freehand drawings and annotations, tap the Draw icon [1]. To select the drawing color, tap the Color icon [2].
Tap and drag to start a drawing. Free-form lines will appear indicating the drawing area [3]. You can add multiple strokes to a drawn annotation.
Note: Depending on your screen size, you may have to tap the Options icon to view the Draw icon.
Modify Draw Annotation
To modify the annotation, ensure the annotation type is not selected [1]. Then tap the annotation [2]. A blue outline will display around the annotation drawing [3]. To move the annotation, tap and hold the draw annotation outline in the document. Drag the annotation to the new area.
To add a comment to your drawn annotation, tap the Comments button [4].
To delete a drawing at any time, tap the Delete icon [5]. Deleting an annotation will also delete any associated comments.
Add Area Annotation
To leave an area annotation, tap the Area icon [1]. To select the area annotation color, tap the Color icon [2].
Tap and drag the rectangle around an area of the submission. A box will appear indicating the area for the annotation.
Modify Area Annotation
To modify the annotation, ensure the annotation type is not selected [1]. Then tap the annotation in the document [2]. A blue outline will display around the annotation area [3].
To move the annotation, tap and hold the area annotation outline in the document. Drag the annotation to the new area.
To add a comment to the annotation, tap the Comments button [4].
To change the color for the annotation, tap the Inspector button [5].
To delete the annotation, tap the Delete icon [6]. Deleting an annotation will also delete any associated comments.
