How do I submit a PDF assignment with annotations in the Student app on my iOS device?

[#1]

Canvas allows you to add annotations to PDF files for assignment submissions. Available annotations include highlight, underline, squiggly, strikeout, free text, and drawing.

The images in this lesson are shown for a phone display, but unless otherwise noted, tablet displays mirror the same steps.

Open Course

On the Dashboard, tap the name of the course you'd like to view.

Open Assignments

Tap the Assignments link.

Note: You may have to swipe your screen to view the Assignments link.

Open Assignment

Tap the assignment you want to open.

Open Link

Tap the file link in the assignment's Description field.

Edit PDF

Tap the Edit icon.

View Toolbar

Use the toolbar to select your annotation tools.

To add highlight, underline, squiggle, or strikethrough text annotations, tap the Text Formatting icon [1].

To type text or add a comment, tap the Free Text icon [2].

To add color annotations, tap the Pen icon [3].

To highlight text, tap the Highlight icon [4].

To free-draw shape annotations, tap the Drawing icon [5].

To erase changes, tap the Eraser icon [6].

To draw arrows, lines, or shape annotations, tap the Line icon [7].

To add a link as an annotation, tap the Link icon [8].

To undo or redo an annotation, tap the Arrow icons [9].

To close the toolbar, tap the Close icon [10].

To move the toolbar, tap and hold the drag handle [11], and move it to the new location. The toolbar can be relocated to either side of the screen.

Use Text Annotation Tool

To view the text annotation options, tap and hold the Text Formatting icon [1].

The Text Format option allows you to highlight [2], underline [3], squiggle [4], and strikethrough [5] text.

Change Text Annotation Color

To change the text annotation tool color, tap the color icon [1], then tap to select a color [2]. To dismiss the menu and add annotations, swipe down on the menu [3].

Use Free Text Annotation Tool

To view the text annotation options, tap and hold the Free Text icon [1]. You can select to add text [2] or add comments [3].

Select Free Text Formatting

To format your text annotations, tap the color icon [1]. You can preview your formatting options in the Sample field [2]. You can adjust the font size [3] and color [4]. To dismiss the options and add annotations, swipe down on the menu [5].

Use Pen Annotation Tool

You can draw thin lines, bold lines, and shapes. Tap the Pen icon.

Select Pen Formatting

To format your pen annotations, tap the color icon [1]. You can preview your formatting options in the Sample field [2]. You can adjust the pen thickness [3] and color [4]. For more color options, tap the Color menu [5].

To dismiss the options and add annotations, swipe down on the menu [6].

Use Highlight Annotation Tool

You can highlight text. Tap the Highlight icon.

Select Highlight Formatting

To format your highlight annotations, tap the color icon [1]. You can preview your formatting options in the Sample field [2]. You can adjust the highlight thickness [3] and color [4]. For more color options, tap the Color menu [5].

To dismiss the options and add annotations, swipe down on the menu [6].

Use Free-Draw Annotation Tool

You can free-draw lines and shapes. Tap the Free-Draw icon.

Select Free-Draw Formatting

To format your free-draw annotations, tap the color icon [1]. You can preview your formatting options in the Sample field [2]. You can adjust the free-draw thickness [3] and color [4]. For more color options, tap the Color menu [5].

To dismiss the options and add annotations, swipe down on the menu [6].

Use Line Annotation Tool

To view the line annotation options, tap and hold the Line icon [1]. You can draw arrows [2], lines [3], and shapes [4].

Select Line Formatting

To format your line annotations, tap the color icon [1]. You can preview your formatting options in the Sample field [2]. You can adjust the line thickness [3] and color [4]. For more color options, tap the Color menu [5].

To dismiss the options and add annotations, swipe down on the menu [6].

Use Link Annotation Tool

You can add links as annotations. Tap the Link icon [1]. Then tap and drag to select the area where you wish to add your link [2].

Create Links

To link the selected area to another page in the same document, tap the Link to Page option [1]. Enter a page number [2] or tap to select a page [3].

To add a website link to the selected area, tap the Link to Website option [4]. Enter a URL in the Website Address field [5]. Preview your content in the Website Preview window [6].

Close Annotations

When you are finished adding annotations, tap the Close icon [1] or tap the Edit icon [2].

Open Share Menu

Tap the Share icon [1] and then tap the Student button [2].

Add Submission Comments

Type your assignment comments in the Comments field.

Submit Assignment

Tap the Submit link.

[jcrawley]

I am using this feature with my class. When they submit their pdf, as shown above, it shows up in SpeedGrader as blank. I see the pdf, but no annotation.  It isn't all submissions, but a significant amount. Any ideas on how to troubleshoot this?

[CanvasDocTeam]

Hi @jcrawley,

That does sound very strange. I wonder if perhaps those students are using something other than Canvas to add annotations. Do you know if they are all using the steps above to add annotations via Canvas? If so, and it's still happening, I'd recommend reaching out to Canvas Support for further assistance so they can investigate those instances where annotations aren't coming over. 

Naomi

[svonderbruegge]

We are having a few instances where students' annotations are lost as well (not autosaved). 

Until then, we have to force kids to launch Notability to do their work and then come back to Canvas. Not a smooth process for middle school students sometimes.

[CanvasDocTeam]

@svonderbruegge,

Please reach out to Canvas Support for further assistance so they can investigate those instances where annotations aren't saving.

Cody