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Cross-listing allows you to move section enrollments from individual courses and combine them into one course. This feature is helpful for instructors who teach several sections of the same course and only want to manage course data in one location. Instructors can allow students to view users in other sections or limit them to only view users in the same section. Section names do not change when they are cross-listed; the section is just moved to another course.
Cross-listing should be done while courses are unpublished. Coursework is retained with the course, not with the section enrollments, so if a published course is cross-listed, all cross-listed enrollments will lose any associated assignment submissions and grades.
To cross-list a course, you must know the name of the course or the course ID into which you are cross-listing. However, using a course ID is a better way to confirm you are cross-listing a section into the correct course. You can find the course ID by opening the course and viewing the number at the end of the browser URL (e.g. account.instructure.com/courses/XXXXXX).
Sections can only be in one course at a time. Once a section is cross-listed, you can re-cross-list the section into another course if necessary.
This lesson shows how to manually cross-list a section, though cross-listing can also be done through SIS imports.
Notes:
- Cross-listing a section is a course permission. If you are an instructor and cannot view the cross-list options, this feature has been restricted by your institution.
- If you are an instructor and are allowed to cross-list, you may choose to de-cross-list a section. This option means that you can send the section back to the original course. If there is a chance you want to de-cross-list a section, make sure you add yourself to another section in the original course before cross-listing, otherwise you will no longer have access in the original course. If you have already cross-listed a course that you cannot de-cross-list, contact your Canvas admin.
- You must be enrolled in both courses to crosslist a section.
- Be sure you have identified the name and Course ID of the parent, or main, course into which you are cross-listing all sections before you begin.
Open Course
In Global Navigation, click the Courses link [1], then click the child course link [2].
Open Course Settings
In Course Navigation, click the Settings link.
Open Sections
Click the Sections tab.
Open Section
Click the title of the section you want to cross-list.
Cross-List Section
Click the Cross-List this Section button.
Search for Course
In the Search for Course field [1], enter the name of the course into which you are cross-listing (the parent course). Or, in the Course ID field [2], enter the ID number for the course.
Note: Enter the name or course ID of the parent, or main, course into which you are cross-listing all other sections or courses.
Cross-List this Section
Confirm you have selected the correct course [1]. Click the Cross-List This Section button [2].
Confirm Cross-Listing
The cross-listed section now appears in the new course. The breadcrumbs show the new course code.
Re-Cross-List Section
Sections can only be in one course at a time. If you need to cross-list the section into a different course, click the Re-Cross-List this Section button.
When creating or editing an assignment, you can assign an assignment to a specific course section. You can also set different due and availability dates for a section within an assignment that is assigned to the rest of the class. Availability date functionality is still available for each assignment.
Only the section(s) specified in the assignment details can view the assignment.
When using differentiated assignments with the Gradebook, the assignment appears as a column for all students, but grade cells are grayed out for students who have not been included in the assignment. Grades cannot be assigned for students who have not been included in the assignment, and assignments that are not assigned to a student are not factored into overall grades.
When Multiple Grading Periods are enabled in a course, assignments are also respected against closed grading periods.
Note: If multiple due dates apply to a student, Canvas will assign the latest due date to the student. For example, if a student's individual due date is November 18 and the section due date is November 20, the student will be assigned a due date of November 20.
Open Assignments
In Course Navigation, click the Assignments link.
Add Assignment
Click the Add Assignment button.
Assign Different Dates to Section
By default, Canvas will set your assignment for everyone in your course. To add another section with a different due and availability dates, click the Add button [1]. Then start to type the name of the section in the new Assign to field [2]. Search fields are dynamic, and you can search by any part of the section name. Click the section's name when it appears [3]. Lists are not scrollable.
You can include more than one section in the Assign to field as long as the sections are to be assigned the same due and availability dates.
Assign to Section Only
To create the assignment that is assigned only to a specific section, click the Remove icon next to the Everyone label [1].
Start to type the name of a section in the Assign to field [2]. Click the section's name when it appears [3].
Edit Due and Availability Dates
In the date fields, add your preferred date(s) with the following options:
- Due [1]: Set the date and time that the assignment is due. The due date will already be populated for you if you created an assignment shell, but you can change it if necessary.
- Available From [2]: Set the date and time when the assignment will become available.
- Until [3]: Set the date and time when the assignment will no longer be available.
Note: Beneath the Due Date and Availability date fields, Canvas will display the time zone date and time according to context. If you manage courses in a time zone other than your local time zone and create or edit a due date for an assignment, the course and local times are displayed for reference.
Remove Dates
You can also delete additional dates by clicking the remove icon next to the appropriate date.
Save and Publish
If you are ready to publish your assignment, click the Save & Publish button [1]. If you want to create a draft of your assignment and publish it later, click the Save button [2].
View Due Date Warning
If you do not add all course sections to the assignment, you will see a warning message asking you if you want to add those sections.
You can click the Continue button [1] if you don't want to add any other sections to the assignment, or click the Go Back button [2] to go back and add additional sections.
Note: This warning message will not appear if everyone or all course sections are assigned to the assignment.
View Date Error
If you submit an invalid string of due dates and try to save the assignment, Canvas generates an error notification. Such invalid entries include not unlocking the assignment before it is due, not placing the due date inside the range of availability dates, or assigning a date that is outside the course or term dates.
Correct the date and then update the assignment again.
Notes:
- If the course does not include specified course start and end dates, Canvas validates the assignment against the term date set for the course.
- If your course is using Multiple Grading Periods, the Assign field validates the due date against the closed grading period and requires the assignment date to be past the date of the closed grading period.
View Assignment Dates
View the dates and users assigned to the assignment.
View Assignments Page
On the Assignments Index Page, the assignment shows there are multiple users and dates assigned to the assignment. Hover over the text to view date availability.
You can delete a section by editing your course Settings in Canvas. You cannot delete a section with users enrolled.
Note: Sections may be added by your institution's student information system (SIS). If a section in your course includes an SIS ID, you may not have permission to delete sections.
Open Settings
In Course Navigation, click the Settings link.
Open Sections
Click the Sections tab.
Delete Section
Locate the section and click the remove icon.
Note: You cannot delete a section that have users enrolled.
Confirm Deletion
Click the OK button.
View Sections
View the existing course sections.
You can add a section to your course by editing your course Settings in Canvas. Sections help subdivide students within a course and offer section-specific options such as varied due dates for assignments, discussions, and quizzes. Sections also display for each student within the course People page and the Gradebook.
Sections can also be created for students who need extra time in a course, such as if a student has an incomplete grade.
Note: Sections may be added by your institution's student information system (SIS). Some course sections may have already been created for you.
Open Settings
In Course Navigation, click the Settings link.
Open Sections
Click the Sections tab.
Add Section
In the section field [1], type the name of the new section. Click the Add Section button [2].
View Section
View the section in your course.
You can also choose to change section start and end dates if needed.
You can add additional sections if necessary. Multiple sections are ordered alphabetically.
Note: If a section was previously added via SIS, and you have permission to view SIS IDs, the section's SIS ID also displays in the Course Sections page.
Add Users to Sections
Once you have added sections to your course, you can add users to sections from the People page in your course.
You can view section enrollments within your course Settings in Canvas.
Section enrollments also include the Test Student, which is created when you enable Student View.
Open Settings
In Course Navigation, click the Settings link.
Open Sections
Click the Sections tab.
Open Course Section
Click the name of the section.
View Section Enrollments
View current and completed enrollments, if any, in the section. Students are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
If you cross-listed a section from a course, you may be able to cross-list the same section back into the original course. This process is called de-cross-listing and returns all student enrollments back to the original course section. However, once you de-cross-list enrollments, all grades and student submissions are removed from the course (since the course can no longer associate the information with any course enrollments). If you need to retain student grades and put them in the original course, you should export the Gradebook and import it into the original course before de-cross-listing the section.
Note: If you cannot view the De-Cross-List this Section button, you no longer have an enrollment in the original course. For assistance in de-cross-listing a section, please contact your Canvas admin.
Open Course Settings
In Course Navigation, click the Settings link.
Open Sections
Click the Sections tab.
Open Section
Click the title of the section you want to de-cross-list.
De-Cross-List This Section
Click the De-Cross-List this Section button.
Click the De-Cross-List This Section button. The section will be moved back to its original course.
Note: If you de-cross-list a section that includes student grades, Canvas will include a message that all grades will no longer be visible. If you need to retain student grades and put them in the original course, you should export the Gradebook and import it into the original course before de-cross-listing the section.
When creating or editing a graded discussion, you can assign a graded discussion to a specific course section. Availability date functionality is still available for each graded discussion.
Only the section(s) specified in the discussion details can view the graded discussion.
When using differentiated assignments with the Gradebook, the graded discussion appears as a column for all students, but grade cells are grayed out for students who have not been included in the discussion. Grades cannot be assigned for students who have not been included in the graded discussion, and graded discussions that are not assigned to a student are not factored into overall grades.
When Multiple Grading Periods are enabled in a course, assignments are also respected against closed grading periods.
Open Discussions
In Course Navigation, click the Discussions link.
Add Discussion
Click the Add Discussion button.
Enter Discussion Details
Enter a topic title [1] and discussion details [2].
Select Posting Preference
Select the All Sections option in the Post to drop-down. This option allows you to set the discussion as a graded discussion and assign the discussion to course sections in the Assign To section.
Set Graded Discussion
Click the Graded checkbox.
Enter Grading Details
Enter the number of points possible [1]. Select the Grading Type [2] and Assignment Group [3], and assign Peer Reviews [4], if any.
Assign to Section
By default, Canvas will set your assignment for everyone in your course. To create the assignment for a specific section, click the Everyone remove icon [1], then start to type in the name of a section [2]. When the section name appears, click the name. Lists are not scrollable.
You can include more than one section in the To field as long as the section is to be assigned the same due and availability dates.
Edit Due and Availability Dates
In the date fields, add your preferred date(s) with the following options:
- Due [1]: Set the date and time that the Assignment is due. The due date will already be populated for you if you created an assignment shell, but you can change it if necessary.
- Available From [2]: Set the date and time when the Assignment will become available.
- Until [3]: Set the date and time when the Assignment will no longer be available.
Note: Beneath the Due Date and Availability date fields, Canvas will display the time zone date and time according to context. If you manage courses in a time zone other than your local time zone and create or edit a due date for an assignment, the course and local times are displayed for reference.
Add Additional Dates
To add another section with a different due date and availability dates, click the Add button.
Remove Dates
You can also delete additional dates by clicking the remove icon next to the appropriate date.
Save and Publish
If you are ready to publish your assignment, click the Save & Publish button [1]. If you want to create a draft of your assignment and publish it later, click the Save button [2].
View Due Date Warning
If you do not add course sections to the assignment, you will see a warning message asking you if you want to add those sections.
You can click the Continue button [1] if you don't want to add any sections to the assignment, or click the Go Back button [2] to go back and add additional sections.
Note: This warning message will not appear if Everyone or all course sections are assigned to the assignment.
View Date Error
If you submit an invalid string of due dates and try to save the assignment, Canvas generates an error notification. Such invalid entries include not unlocking the assignment before it is due, not placing the due date inside the range of availability dates, or assigning a date that is outside the course or term dates.
Correct the date and then update the assignment again.
Notes:
- If the course does not include specified course start and end dates, Canvas validates the graded discussion against the term date set for the course.
- If your course is using Multiple Grading Periods, the Assign field validates the due date against the closed grading period and requires the discussion due date to be past the date of the closed grading period.
View Graded Discussion Dates
To view users and due dates for the discussion, click the Show Due Dates link.
View the dates assigned to the graded discussion.
Once users have been added to your course, you may be able to edit their course section from the People page. This feature allows you to make modifications to course sections without having to delete the section enrollment.
If a user has not already accepted the course enrollment, editing the course section still requires the user to accept the course invitation. However, if a user has already accepted the initial course enrollment, editing a section does not require the user to accept a new course invitation.
If a user was added to multiple sections in the course with the same user role, adding a section or editing a current section retains the user role given with the course enrollment. However, if the user has multiple user roles, a section edit is associated with the last user role given to the user. Learn how to edit user roles.
Notes:
- Adding users to a section is a course permission. If you cannot add users to your course, your institution has restricted this feature.
- Sections may be added by your institution's student information system (SIS). If a user in your course includes an SIS ID, you may not have permission to edit sections.
Open People
In Course Navigation, click the People link.
Locate User
In the search field [1], search for the name of the user. You can also filter users by role in the Roles drop-down menu [2].
View Section Enrollment
Canvas will show you the section(s) where the user is already enrolled.
Add Section
To add a section, begin typing the name of the section in the text field [1] and click the section when it appears [2].
Note: Users can be in more than one section. You do not need to remove the original section.
Remove Section Enrollment
To remove a student from a section, click the Remove icon.
Update Enrollment
To update section enrollments, click the Update button.
When creating or editing a quiz, you can assign a quiz to a specific course section. Availability date functionality is still available for each quiz.
Only the section(s) specified in the discussion details can view the quiz.
When using differentiated assignments with the Gradebook, the quiz appears as a column for all students, but grade cells are grayed out for students who have not been included in the quiz. Grades cannot be assigned for students who have not been included in the quiz, and quizzes that are not assigned to a student are not factored into overall grades.
When Multiple Grading Periods are enabled in a course, quizzes are also respected against closed grading periods.
Open Quizzes
In Course Navigation, click the Quizzes link.
Add Quiz
Click the Add Quiz button.
Select Quiz Engine
If your course has New Quizzes enabled, you must select a quiz engine.
To select New Quizzes, click the New Quizzes option [1].
To create a classic quiz, click the Classic Quizzes option [2].
Then click the Submit button [3].
Note: Learn more about creating a quiz using New Quizzes.
Enter Quiz Details
Enter a name [1] and description [2] for your quiz, as well as any other quiz options [3].
Assign to Section
By default, Canvas will set your assignment for everyone in your course. To create the assignment for a specific section, click the Everyone remove icon [1], then start to type in the name of a section [2]. When the section name appears, click the name. Lists are not scrollable.
You can include more than one section in the To field as long as the section is to be assigned the same due and availability dates.
Edit Due and Availability Dates
In the date fields, add your preferred date(s) with the following options:
- Due [1]: Set the date and time that the Quiz is due. The due date will already be populated for you if you created an assignment shell, but you can change it if necessary.
- Available From [2]: Set the date and time when the Quiz will become available.
- Until [3]: Set the date and time when the Quiz will no longer be available.
Note: Beneath the Due Date and Availability date fields, Canvas will display the time zone date and time according to context. If you manage courses in a time zone other than your local time zone and create or edit a due date for an assignment, the course and local times are displayed for reference.
Add Additional Dates
To add another section with a different due date and availability dates, click the Add button.
Remove Dates
You can also delete additional dates by clicking the remove icon next to the appropriate date.
Save and Publish
If you are ready to publish your assignment, click the Save & Publish button [1]. If you want to create a draft of your assignment and publish it later, click the Save button [2].
View Due Date Warning
If you do not add course sections to the assignment, you will see a warning message asking you if you want to add those sections.
You can click the Continue button [1] if you don't want to add any sections to the assignment, or click the Go Back button [2] to go back and add additional sections.
Note: This warning message will not appear if Everyone or all course sections are assigned to the assignment.
View Date Error
If you submit an invalid string of due dates and try to save the assignment, Canvas generates an error notification. Such invalid entries include not unlocking the assignment before it is due, not placing the due date inside the range of availability dates, or assigning a date that is outside the course or term dates.
Correct the date and then update the assignment again.
Notes:
- If the course does not include specified course start and end dates, Canvas validates the quiz against the term date set for the course.
- If your course is using Multiple Grading Periods, the Assign field validates the due date against the closed grading period and requires the quiz date to be past the date of the closed grading period.
Preview and Publish Quiz
Click the Preview button [1] to see what students will see when they take the quiz. If the preview shows the quiz the way you want it, click the Publish button [2].
Note: Although you can make changes to the quiz after it is published, students who have already opened or completed the quiz will not see any of the changes, which may affect their grades.
View Quiz Dates
View the dates and users assigned to the quiz.
View Quizzes Page
On the Quizzes Index Page, the quiz shows there are multiple users and dates assigned to the quiz. Hover over the text to view date availability.
You can change the name of a section by editing your course Settings in Canvas.
Note: Sections may be added by your institution's student information system (SIS). If a section in your course includes an SIS ID, you may not have permission to change the section name.
Open Settings
In Course Navigation, click the Settings link.
Open Sections
Click the Sections tab.
Edit Section
Locate the section and click the Edit icon.
Change Section Name
You can change the section name by typing in the text box and selecting Return (on a MAC keyboard ) or Enter (on a PC keyboard) to save your changes.
View Sections
You can view the updated course sections in the same window.