How do I add a profile picture in my user account as an instructor?
If your institution has enabled profile pictures, you can add and change profile pictures in your account. If you do not see a placeholder picture in your user settings, your institution has not enabled this feature.
There are three ways you can select a profile picture to use throughout Canvas:
- Upload a Picture from your computer
- Take a Picture using your computer's camera (not supported when using Safari or Internet Explorer)
- Import from an existing Gravatar account (this feature may be restricted by your institution and only G-rated images are allowed)
Tips for profile pictures:
- Choose an appropriate picture to represent yourself. Your institution has the right to remove pictures that are not appropriate for a classroom setting.
- Images should be square in size to prevent your picture from being resized or distorted.
- Files can be any type (.jpg, .png, .gif) or size as long as you have room in your personal files to store the file. Canvas recommends that your profile picture be as small as possible.
- Your personal files quota is enforced when uploading a profile picture. If you do not have enough storage space in your personal files, you will not be able to upload your profile picture. Create more space by removing some files in your personal files.
Open User Settings
In Global Navigation, click the Account link [1], then click the Settings link [2].
Open Profile Picture
Click the profile picture icon.
Note: If you don't see a placeholder profile picture icon, your institution does not allow you to add or change your profile picture.
Upload Picture
To upload a new profile picture file, click the Picture Options drop-down menu and select the Upload a Picture option [1]. Then click the choose a picture link [2]. You can also drag a picture from your desktop and drop it into the window.
Choose Profile Picture
Find the image you want to upload and click the Open or Browse button.
Crop or Resize Picture
To crop your image, use the selection handles [1]. To recenter the image, hover the cursor over the image, then click and drag the circle selector to a new location [2].
When you are finished, click the Save button [3].
Note: Canvas automatically stores a copy of the saved profile picture in your personal files. When you save a new picture in your profile, the new picture overrides the existing picture file in your personal files.
Take Picture
To take a picture to use as your profile picture, click the Picture Options drop-down menu and select the Take a Picture option [1]. Then click the Take Picture button [2].
Note: Depending on your browser, you may need to allow Canvas to access your camera. The Take a Picture option is not supported when using Safari or Internet Explorer.
Save Picture
To take another picture, click the Retry button [1]. When you are finished, click the Save button [2].
Import from Gravatar
If your institution allows Gravatars and you have a Gravatar account, you can import an existing Gravatar to use as your profile picture.
Click the Profile Options drop-down menu and select the From Gravatar option [1]. Enter your Gravatar email address in the field provided [2]. Click the Preview button to view your Gravatar [3]. When you are finished, click the Save button [4].
Note: Before adding a photo in your Gravatar account, you must rate the photo. Please note that you can use only a G-rated Gravatar photo as a Canvas profile picture.
View Profile Picture
The Profile picture you selected displays instead of the placeholder profile picture.
Delete Profile Picture
Profile pictures are linked to your personal files, so you can easily delete them to remove old profile pictures.
Note: Gravatar images cannot be deleted from your account through your personal files. However, you can replace Gravatar images with an uploaded image or with a captured image using the Take a Picture option.
Open Files
To delete a profile picture, click the Files link.
Open Profile Pictures
Click the profile pictures folder.
Delete Profile Picture
Next to the file you want to delete [1], click the Options icon [2] then click the Delete link [3].
