Canvas Guides (English)Canvas GuidesCanvas Instructor GuideSettingsHow do I customize visibility options for course content?

How do I customize visibility options for course content?

Content visibility and availability options can be customized to allow specific users to view course content. Currently, only the Syllabus can be customized as a content item. Content visibility is defined by the course visibility option, so content visibility can only be set to an equal or greater structure.

‪Like with course visibility, content visibility can be set to one of the same visibility options: Course, Institution, or Public.

  • Course: Content is available to all users associated (enrolled) in the course.
  • Institution: Content is available to users associated with the institution. This option allows users in your institution to view the selected content before they enroll in the course.
  • Public: Content is available to anyone with the URL.

To learn more about visibility options, view the Canvas Course Visibility Options resource document.

Note: If the Visibility option cannot be changed, you do not have permission to manage visibility settings. Please contact your Canvas administrator or Canvas Support for assistance.

Open Settings

Open Settings

In Course Navigation, click the Settings link.

Open Course Details

Open Course Details

Click the Course Details tab.

Confirm Course Visibility

Confirm Course Visibility

In the Visibility options, confirm the course visibility is set correctly. Content visibility is defined by the course visibility option.

Note: If the Visibility option cannot be changed, you do not have permission to manage visibility settings. Please contact your Canvas administrator or Canvas Support for assistance.

Customize Content Visibility

Customize Content Visibility

Click the Customize checkbox.

Set Content Visibility

Set Content Visibility

Currently the only content available for customization is the Syllabus and Files. The default is set to the same option shown for course visibility.

In the Syllabus [1] and Files [2] menu, select the visibility option you want to set:

  • If course visibility is set to Course, content visibility can be set to Course, Institution, or Public.
  • ‪If course visibility is set to Institution, content visibility can be set to Institution or Public.
  • ‪If course visibility is set to Public, the entire course is already public so content visibility can only be set to Public.

Update Course Details

Update Course Details

Click the Update Course Details button.