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 supported)
Tips for profile pictures:
- Please 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 a Picture

To upload a new profile picture, click the Upload a Picture tab [1], then click the choose a picture link [2]. You can also drag a picture from your desktop and drop it into the uploader.
Crop or Resize Picture

Use the selection boxes to crop your image [1]. When you are finished, click the Save button [2].
Note: Canvas will automatically store a copy of the saved profile picture in your personal files. When a new picture is saved in your profile, the new picture will override the existing picture file in your personal files.
Take a Picture

To take a picture to use as your profile picture, click the Take a Picture tab [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.
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 From Gravatar tab [1] and enter your Gravatar email address in the field provided [2]. Click the Preview button to view your Gravatar. When you are finished, click the Save button [3].
Note: Before adding a photo in your Gravatar account, you will have to rate the photo. Please note that only G-rated Gravatar photos can be displayed as a Canvas profile picture.
View Profile Picture

The Profile picture you selected will show up 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, Gravatar images may be replaced with an uploaded image or with a captured image using the Take a Picture option.