Introducing Canvas Portfolio: Now Part of the Core Canvas Experience

ElizabethEzzi
Instructure
Instructure
29
5777

Canvas.png

On November 15, 2025, we’re excited to make Canvas Portfolio generally available (GA) to all Canvas LMS customers at no additional cost. Canvas Portfolio makes it easier for educators to assess learning and for students to showcase their growth, all in one place.

A New Era of Portfolios

Canvas Portfolio brings together the best of teaching, learning, and reflection—all within Canvas LMS. Institutions can easily support both institution-assigned portfolios and student-led showcases, giving educators and learners the flexibility to meet a wide range of needs.

With Canvas Portfolio, institutions can facilitate single- or multi-course assessments, align evidence to competencies, and integrate directly with familiar grading tools like SpeedGrader. This creates a seamless experience for instructors and students, while reducing administrative overhead.

📽Check out this Portfolio Overview Video

Canvas Portfolio also represents a significant upgrade from legacy tools. Unlike Portfolium (Folio), which required separate logins and offered limited alignment to Canvas courses, Canvas Portfolio provides a centralized, intuitive experience. And compared to Canvas’ native ePortfolio, the new tool introduces a host of powerful capabilities, including:

  • Skill tagging evidence to align learning with outcomes
  • Collaboration tools that let learners add teammates to showcase group work
  • Portfolio Preview for easier sharing and review
  • Learner progress tracking for assigned portfolios
  • Institution-assigned portfolios to support programmatic assessment

Together, these enhancements deliver a flexible, modern, and future-ready portfolio experience, while paving the way for future iterations and improvements. 

💡 Explore the full Portfolio solutions comparison

 

Portfolio Benefits at a Glance

For Institutions

  • Connect portfolios to institutional focuses and competencies for holistic evaluation
  • Gain visibility into learner progress and learning effectiveness
  • Assess within existing grading workflows—no new tools required

For Educators

  • Seamless integration with Canvas courses and SpeedGrader
  • Flexible portfolio assignments that support individual and programmatic assessment
  • Ability to tag evidence to skills and competencies

For Learners

  • A space to collect work, reflect on growth, and tell their story
  • Build personalized, skill-tagged portfolios that mix coursework, co-curriculars, and personal projects
  • Share securely while enrolled or export portfolios for future use

💡 Read the Canvas Portfolio Feature Preview FAQ

 

Real-World Use Cases

Canvas Portfolio supports a broad range of institutional and student needs, making it a versatile tool for authentic assessment and storytelling. Examples include:

  • Single or multi-course assessments and programmatic evaluations
  • First-generation students building job-ready portfolios for employers
  • High school students showcasing STEM projects for college applications
  • Institutions collecting evidence for accreditation across programs and departments

These diverse use cases reflect how Canvas Portfolio can support both institutional goals and individual learner journeys.

 

Key Dates: General Availability & Legacy Tool Retirement

Canvas Portfolio will become generally available on November 15, 2025, and will be enabled by default, with an admin opt-out option available. Institutions will have ample time to explore the new experience and prepare for the transition.

Both Portfolium and ePortfolio will be fully retired on June 30, 2026. After this date, only the new Portfolio solution will be available to use in native-Canvas. To ensure a smooth shift, we recommend beginning transition plans early and taking advantage of Canvas Portfolio’s enhanced capabilities well before the retirement date. 

Check out these community resources to learn more about saving existing content and using the Portfolio experience.

 

Getting Started with Canvas Portfolio

Canvas Portfolio offers a meaningful step toward more authentic, connected learning experiences. By bringing more robust portfolios directly into Canvas, institutions can more easily align teaching, learning, and reflection, while giving students powerful new ways to showcase their growth and tell their stories.

With general availability beginning November 15, 2025, and Portfolium and ePortfolio retiring on June 30, 2026, now is the time to start exploring what this improved portfolio experience can bring to your institution. Early adoption means more time to plan, experiment, and create lasting impact for both educators and learners.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

When will the Canvas Portfolio be available?

Canvas Portfolios are currently available to all customers as a feature preview and will be generally available (GA) in mid November, 2025. The tool will become automatically available under User Navigation and can be disabled by institutions.

 

Are Canvas Portfolios included in my existing Canvas subscription, or do I need to purchase this functionality?

Canvas Portfolio is a part of the core-Canvas experience! No additional subscription or contract is required for use of this tool. 

 

Why is the new Portfolio experience enabled by default? 

We know that use of portfolios is not homogenous within an institution. This approach helps ensure the tool is visible to those who may not have otherwise known about it, encouraging broader awareness and exploration. We understand that some institutions may not be ready to promote, adopt, or use ePortfolio solutions right away, and that’s why you’ll have full control to adjust the enabled status at any time, including the option to disable it when it’s released in mid-November.

 

How to Enable or Disable the Portfolio App Placement?

If you’d like to disable or adjust where the Portfolio app appears in Canvas, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Account Settings
    • From the Canvas Admin view, navigate to Admin → select your account → and click Settings in the left-hand menu.
  2. Open App Configurations
    • Click the Apps tab at the top of the Settings page.
    • Then click View App Configurations.
  3. Find the app titled “Portfolio (Region Name) LTI Client” in the list.
  4. Click the settings gear icon next to the Portfolio app.
  5. Adjust the Placement
    • Select Placements from the dropdown menu.
    • To disable it from appearing in the user navigation, uncheck the box next to User Navigation.
    • To enable it or change its placement, check the relevant placement boxes (e.g., Course Navigation, Account Navigation, etc.).
  6. Click Close to apply your updates.

 

When will legacy portfolio experiences be retired? 

Canvas’ legacy ePortfolios and Portfolium’s Folios/Canvas Student ePortfolios will be retired on June 30, 2026. After this date, only Canvas Portfolios will be available. 

 

How can I identify users of legacy Canvas ePortfolios at my institution before the June 2026 retirement date?

There is an ePortfolio report that you can access under your account-level reports. Learn more here at this Community guide

 

How do learners export their portfolios so they don’t lose their content?

The following user guides outline the export processes:

 

Will Instructure notify my current and past students of this change? 

We will be facilitating an in-product message within ePortfolio and Folio in early 2026 to highlight the new experience and encourage students to download existing ePortfolio and/or Folio content. In-app messaging will say:

  • Legacy ePortfolio will be retired on June 30, 2026. Export your ePortfolios now to avoid losing access. [Learn how to export your ePortfolios]
  • Canvas Student ePortfolios (Folio) will be retired on June 30, 2026. Export your content now to avoid losing access. [Learn how to export your ePortfolios]

 

How can I make sure that current and past students who don’t frequently sign in to their native Canvas ePortfolio are notified of this change?

We recommend using the referenced ePortfolio report above to confirm ePortfolios created within your system. We encourage you to utilize this list to communicate directly with users to inform them about the upcoming changes and deadlines.

29 Comments
JamesSekcienski
Community Champion

@ElizabethEzzi 

The links for "How to export content from Canvas Student ePortfolios/Folio as a student?" go to a guide for how to view their portfolio, but I don't see instructions for exporting content.  In reviewing again, I found the line under the "View Profile Header" that says you can export the profile as a PDF with two options.  It would be helpful if the export instructions had their own header/guide.  In addition, is there a way for users to also export the files attached to their profile and/or projects?  I'm curious how attached projects will currently show when a user exports their profile.

Also, a report has been provided to identify users of the native Canvas ePortfolio.  Is there a report that Canvas admins can use to identify users of Canvas Student ePortfolios/Folio when they have been using the free plan (no admin access directly in Canvas Student ePortfolios/Folio)?

On a side note, as an admin it would be preferred for the tool to be disabled by default so we can control when it gets enabled for users.  If users aren't aware that the tool exists and that is your reason why it is being enabled by default, then wouldn't this also mean they wouldn't be aware it is getting enabled by default and potentially cause unnecessary concern for admins/schools that are not ready to adopt/support the tool and don't notice it being enabled?  Considering this change will take place on November 15th, it is outside of the standard workweek, so unless an admin monitors on Saturday for when the change occurs, there will likely be a period of time when it is left enabled for users to start discovering until an admin can go in and disable the feature.

While we appreciate this tool, there are still some features we are waiting on before we recommend it as a replacement.

dbrace
Community Coach
Community Coach

I agree with @JamesSekcienski.

My institution uses another vendor for eportfolios (decided on and managed by our Career Development Center / Career Services).

Would it be possible to have the Canvas Portfolio disabled by default (especially since it will be available over the weekend) when it is released so that it can intentionally be enabled by an institution if or when they decide to use it?

-Doug

hmcneill
Community Participant

I'd agree, Canvas Portfolio should be disabled by default and not require admins to actively disable it to prevent users from seeing it, especially over a weekend

Jeff_F
Community Coach
Community Coach

@JamesSekcienski - would you mind listing the desired features that you are seeking? 

mtran466
Community Explorer

When we spoke with our CSM regarding the retiring of legacy ePortfolios and Portfolium, we were under the impression that those would still be available to students after 6/30/26 with minimal support. This article makes it sound like those are now being retired immediately. Is that the case?

Dalma_Schnell
Instructure
Instructure

Hi @JamesSekcienski,

Thank you for sharing your concerns and thoughtful questions. Since the new Canvas Portfolio will be included at no additional cost with a Canvas subscription and is intended to replace legacy portfolio tools, making it available by default follows the same approach as the native Canvas ePortfolios, which is also available by default to all customers. This ensures instructors and sub-account admins can access and begin using the tool without requiring additional configuration. Additionally, because the tool is enabled under user navigation, it will be less visible and disruptive to users who may not be ready to engage with it immediately.

While the tool is now released, it does not mean development stops, we are continuing to prioritize enhancements based on customer feedback to ensure Canvas Portfolio fully meets institutional needs by the time legacy portfolio tools are retired.

Regarding data for users of the free Folio solution, there isn’t a simple way for institutional admins to obtain a list of all users. That said, we plan to introduce in-app messaging in the new year to help notify users of upcoming changes.

For Folio users looking to preserve their content and admins to see usage:

  • Currently, files in Portfolium can only be downloaded individually from each project by students. The Profile PDF export includes project items as links, which will no longer function after the sunset. To address this, we plan to introduce a bulk export capability of all files uploaded to Folio.

  • Reporting for the free Folio tool is available via the LTI report under Settings → Reports, which provides high-level usage for LTI tools, including Folio.

We also appreciate the feedback about export instructions, it is a great suggestion to have a dedicated header/guide for exporting content.

Thank you again for your thoughtful feedback, James!

Dalma_Schnell
Instructure
Instructure

Hi @dbrace,

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback. While Canvas Portfolio will be turned on for all Canvas users when it is released, it is enabled under user navigation, which makes it less visible and less disruptive for users who are not ready to engage with the tool immediately.

We understand that some institutions have already chosen another ePortfolio solution, and we want to reassure you that enabling Canvas Portfolio by default does not require anyone to use it. Institutions and instructors can continue with their existing solution, and those who are not ready can simply ignore or disable the feature in their accounts at any time.

Dalma_Schnell
Instructure
Instructure

Hi @mtran466,

Thank you for your question. To clarify, legacy ePortfolio tools, including Portfolium/folio and the native Canvas ePortfolio, will remain available until June 30, 2026. After that date, they will be fully retired, and no users will be able to access them.

PhillipHaisley
Community Member

Hi Elizabeth.

I understand the tools will be retired in June. What happens to portfolios that were already created on these platforms? Will they still be accessible on the web for people to read?

We had students build portfolios in Portfolium this fall with the intention of assessing them in summer 2026. Will my faculty members till be able to view the portfolios to assess them?

ccarnes
Community Explorer

Is this a free trial period and you will charge additional fees in the future or will this feature be free for the foreseeable Future?

Thanks,

Christine

VPundir
Community Contributor

Hi @Dalma_Schnell,

The Feature Preview announcement thread seems dead, so re-posting here.

It would be great to have a decent portfolio working within Canvas. A few requirements from such a feature (based on a review of the current Feature Preview):

KNGoh
Community Participant

@ElizabethEzzi and @Dalma_Schnell, please get the team to reconsider the enabled by default decision.

For an institution that does not currently used Portfolio, the sudden appearance of the feature will need extra follow-ups while those that are already using Portfolio will also have to content with follow-up on the two variants being available at the same time.

lorizc
Community Explorer

"Currently, files in Portfolium can only be downloaded individually from each project by students. The Profile PDF export includes project items as links, which will no longer function after the sunset. To address this, we plan to introduce a bulk export capability of all files uploaded to Folio."

When will the bulk export tool be available?  Downloading files one by one and then having to rebuild in the new product is going to take a lot of time for students.

Also -- if the new Portfolio product is enabled in the production environment, will users still be able to access the old Porfolium/Folio to transition?  Will links to both be available in Account navigation?

Thanks.

Dalma_Schnell
Instructure
Instructure

Hi @PhillipHaisley,

Thank you for reaching out with these important questions.

Portfolium will retire completely on June 30, 2026. After that date, no one will be able to access Portfolium or any portfolios hosted there. To preserve student work, all portfolios will need to be exported before June 30, 2026.

If there’s any flexibility to schedule assessments prior to June 30, that would ensure uninterrupted access for faculty and reviewers.

Dalma_Schnell
Instructure
Instructure

Hi @ccarnes,

Great question, thank you for asking!

All of the ePortfolio features we are releasing now are included at no additional cost with any existing Canvas subscription. There is no trial period, and institutions can adopt and use these capabilities as part of their current Canvas plan.

As we continue to enhance the product, we do anticipate that some future, advanced capabilities may be offered as part of paid tiers. However, we will communicate those updates clearly and well in advance so institutions can plan accordingly.

Please feel free to reach out with any additional questions, happy to help!

Dalma_Schnell
Instructure
Instructure

Hi @KNGoh,

Thank you for sharing this feedback, we completely understand the concern.

The new Portfolio will function just like the existing native Canvas Portfolio: it will be included by default with all Canvas subscriptions, so every institution will have access without needing to purchase or install anything extra. After June 30, 2026, it will fully replace the native Canvas ePortfolio, ensuring continuity for all users.

To help minimize disruption, the feature will only appear under User Navigation, not in the Global Navigation, so its presence will be more subtle for users who are not actively looking for it. Additionally, institutions will have full control: if you prefer not to make the feature available right away, you can simply disable its placement in Settings until you're ready to roll it out.

For clarity, we will also label the legacy Portfolio tools (Folio & native Canvas ePortfolios) so they can be clearly distinguished from the new Portfolio, helping users avoid confusion during the transition.

We’re doing our best to ensure a smooth transition and would love to continue gathering input from institutions like yours as we move forward.

Dalma_Schnell
Instructure
Instructure

Hi @lorizc,

Thank you for your questions!

We plan to introduce improved bulk export capabilities for Portfolium ePortfolios/Folio in Q1 2026.

Regarding access to Folio: the new Portfolio installation does not affect Folio availability. Institutions will continue to have full control to enable or disable Folio just as they do with the new tool. Until June 30, 2026, Folio will remain accessible to users and allow students to continue working with and exporting their existing content.

I hope this helps clarify the timeline and access options. Please feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

dbrace
Community Coach
Community Coach

@Dalma_Schnell,

Since you are responding to other comments right now. Can you please provide an example of what the user "Account" area will look like after all of the changes so that we can see how the different tools will be named?

-Doug

VPundir
Community Contributor

Hi @Dalma_Schnell ,

Any response on my note above?

Dalma_Schnell
Instructure
Instructure

@dbrace,

There will be no notable changes to the names of the tools. To help distinguish between the legacy tools and the new Portfolio, we will add a “legacy” marking directly to the names of the older tools in the User Navigation area.

Dalma_Schnell
Instructure
Instructure

Hi @VPundir,

I’ve replied to your original thread.

jmerlenbach2
Community Contributor

@Dalma_Schnell I wanted to follow up on a comment you left for @ccarnes where you say the following: "As we continue to enhance the product, we do anticipate that some future, advanced capabilities may be offered as part of paid tiers."

Why is this the first that such a cost is being mentioned, and why is it being buried deep in a comments thread? This entire time leading up to GA, the messaging that has come from Instructure has been that this product would not be an additional cost, full stop. Now adding "premium features" later on, after receiving feedback on what institutions actually want and need, comes off as disingenuous. We have spent the last 6 months communicating to users that this would be a free addition to the suite of tools available to them, and discussed some of the features that we have pushed for and have been promised that will come after GA. With this brand new mention that paid tiers are part of the plan for Portfolios, we may be forced to backtrack with our users because of Instructure's failure to adequately communicate expectations.

Can you provide any detail about what constitutes these future, advanced capabilities?

Dalma_Schnell
Instructure
Instructure

Hi @jmerlenbach2 ,

Apologies, I can see why my reply could cause alarm. There are no plans to offer portfolio features that cost extra, full stop. My intention was to communicate that if anything ever changes with our approach to pricing our products, that will be made clear. But there are no pricing or packaging updates to speak of at this time.

b_s_torset
Community Participant

I totally agree with @VPundir. Especially the ability for the instructor to edit the portfolio to add more assignments throughtout the years is important. I was first really excited about this tool, but now I'm not so sure anymore🤔

nwilson7
Community Champion

I wanted to echo part of what @b_s_torset just stated. For us, the ability to tie portfolios over several courses and several years would be huge. Almost all our programs have some sort of portfolio (not always called that), but you work on them over several years to demonstrate growth and for the students to see how they have grown. While there are some workarounds, it would be great if there was a way to tie the same portfolio to different assignments throughout their program instead of just one course. 

-Nick

brendaa
Community Contributor

There are other issues with the Evaluation Portfolios that need to be addressed before they are useful. Currently, only the instructor who created the Evaluation Portfolio can access it. We need to be able to add other instructors to the course(s) tied to the portfolio so that they can evaluate it. Also, the only "students" that can access the portfolios can have no other roles except student. At our university, many students are also Non-Grading TAs or Supplementary Instructors. I also agree that instructors need to be able to edit Evaluation Portfolios. We have been unable to successfully test the new evaluation portfolios (the showcase ones seem to work fine) and still have an open ticket regarding these. I'm surprised these are going live next week.

TrinaAltman
Community Participant

@brendaa Thank you for mentioning the: "Also, the only "students" that can access the portfolios can have no other roles except student." issue! I would want to test again (and/or have someone else test) to confirm, but I think I replicated that one. Not only that, I replicated it with a user who was a Student in the course with the evaluation portfolio and who had been, but was no longer, a TA in another/different course (enrollment state = deleted). If other schools can confirm and chime in on this, that would be good.

@Dalma_Schnell This is a critical, showstopper issue. This means an instructor might create an Evaluation Portfolio for their course only to find that some subset of their students can't access/submit it as they are (or were) a TA in an entirely different course. This could come up a lot for grad courses, for instance, where some of those students may be TAs or Teachers in other undergrad courses. Is this a known issue? Is there a timeline for resolution?

Thank you.

brendaa
Community Contributor

@TrinaAltman The "student only" role was discussed in a different post:  from @Dalma_Schnell "when I raised this with Canvas support, the issue was that the test students we were using also had teacher role on other Canvas courses. Currently, only students who are solely students can access the portfolios."

jmerlenbach2
Community Contributor

I'll add my name to the chorus calling out the student only role. In a higher education setting, it is extremely normal for users with student roles to have roles as TAs/Teachers in other Canvas courses. We did not do any real testing in the Evaluation portfolio due to the limitations found with only one user being able to manage the evaluation and the single term requirement. This adds another complete non-starter for that part of the tool.

If these issues are not resolved by the mid-Spring timeline when we are anticipating being forced to enable the tool due to our previous users in the legacy portfolio tools, we will be putting up messaging telling faculty members not to use Evaluation portfolios at all. The behaviors described in this and other threads make any use that we have discussed with faculty as part of our pilot process impossible.