Call Canvas API from external application

[StephanieNg]

We want to call Canvas API from an external application to retrieve student's course and enrolment information. To make this API call, is there a way for me to use OAuth, since this is not a LTI? How do I use OAuth for these cases where it's system to system connectivity with Canvas

[chriscas]

Hi @StephanieNg,

Have tou taken a look at the OAuth2 - Canvas LMS REST API Documentation page on Canvas' API documentation site?  While OAuth2 is also used for some LTI authentication, I do believe it functions completely outside of LTI just fine.  You will need to have a Canvas administrator for the school/institution create an API Developer key to use OAuth2 (for others reading, this means you can't really use OAuth2 for free-for-teacher Canvas), but after that the documented steps for authentication should get you going.

-Chris