Allow graders to select multiple sections at a time

[paulamiranda]

One usability improvement we'd like to request be added to SpeedGrader Upgrades is the ability for graders (any role who has the permission to grade) to be able to select multiple sections at once when using the Section filter. 

Currently, graders can only select one section at a time and must re-open the drop-down list to select additional sections (see gif below). The drop-down should remain open to allow graders to select the sections they need.

Having to click less will be especially helpful for graders in large enrollment courses that have many sections.

Drop-down list closes every time a section filter is selected/de-selected

[renaat_demuynck]

Thanks for raising this! I’d like to add that our instructors are also experiencing usability challenges with the section filter in SpeedGrader.

Currently, when switching sections, the interface adds the newly selected section to the view rather than replacing the previous one. This results in multiple sections being displayed simultaneously, which can be confusing and requires extra clicks to deselect unwanted sections. The dropdown doesn’t stay open, and the process feels unintuitive—especially for courses with many sections.

We’ve received feedback that this disrupts grading flow and makes it harder to maintain clarity.

Suggested UI Workflow:

• When clicking the section filter, the dropdown should remain open until the user confirms their selection (e.g., via a “Done” or “Apply” button).
• Sections should be displayed with checkboxes, allowing users to select or deselect multiple sections in one go.
• A “Clear All” option could help quickly reset the filter.
• Optionally, a toggle to switch between “Single Section View” and “Multi-Section View” could give users more control over how they want to grade.

This would reduce clicks, improve clarity, and make grading more efficient—especially in large enrollment courses.

Appreciate any updates or consideration from the Canvas team!

[YasiAfsharnive · Accepted solution]

Hey @renaat_demuynck @paulamiranda. Great suggestions. These updates were actually made to both new and old SpeedGrader fairly recently. @renaat_demuynck The first three of your suggestions should be in production (instead of 'clear all' just press 'all sections' and then select the section you want before pressing apply). Check out the behavior here - https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Upgrades-for-SpeedGrader/Easier-Section-Filtering-in-SpeedGrader/...

[renaat_demuynck]

Thanks for the quick response and the link—much appreciated! Sorry, I missed that this had already been addressed a few weeks ago. The Issue was reported some weeks ago by the teacher.

I’ve tested the updated section filter and can confirm that the multi-select with the “Apply” button works well. The “All Sections” option is a helpful workaround for clearing selections—thanks for pointing that out.

That said, some instructors have expressed a preference for a single-section selector mode, where selecting a new section would automatically deselect the previous one. This would simplify the workflow for those who only ever want to view one section at a time.

Additionally, in courses with a large number of sections or groups, scrolling through the dropdown to deselect previously selected sections can be cumbersome. Sometimes the currently selected section isn’t even visible in the list, which adds to the confusion.

A toggle between “Single Section View” and “Multi-Section View” could be a great way to accommodate both workflows.

Thanks again for the improvements and for listening to user feedback!

[YasiAfsharnive]

@renaat_demuynck Thank you for that feedback. The single section view is definitely something we will consider going forward.