Lesson 5: My Account's Brand and Functionality
In this chapter you’ll learn how to use the Theme Editor, how to enable feature options available at the account and course levels, and how to integrate external applications for your account.
Lesson 5 Outline
Custom Branding
The Canvas Theme Editor tool allows you to customize the display colors for text, buttons, and links using hex codes. You can also upload custom images and watermarks to display in your Canvas instance.
By default, the Theme Editor is only enabled in an institution’s root account and all sub-accounts adopt the root account theme. However, the tool can be enabled in sub-accounts, allowing for sub-account theme customization. Any design element not changed in a sub-account theme inherits the account-level design.
Additionally, the Theme Editor supports custom cascading style sheets (CSS) and JavaScript (JS) uploads. Your CSM can enable this option in your account. Before using this option in your account, learn about CSS/JS restrictions in Canvas.
Open Themes
To customize the theme for your account, click the Themes link in Account Navigation [1].
The Themes page displays customizable templates [2]. Hover over a template and click the Open in Theme Editor button [3]. You can also click the Add Theme button [4] and select a theme from the list [5].
Theme Editor
The Theme Editor’s Edit sidebar displays four sections. Click the Arrow icon next to the section name to view the customizable options in each section.
- Global Branding: Customize colors for text, links, and buttons throughout Canvas. These colors display on the Canvas Dashboard and in courses.
- Global Navigation: Customize the look of the Global Navigation Menu that persists throughout Canvas.
- Watermarks & Other Images: Upload images to display throughout Canvas and in Canvas mobile apps.
- Login Screen: Customize text and background colors, and add custom images to display on your institution’s Canvas login screen.
If CSS/JS is enabled in your account, you can customize your institution’s Canvas instance and mobile applications by uploading a CSS or JavaScript file. Click the Upload tab [1]. Then click the Select button to upload a CSS or JavaScript file [2].
View Theme
The Theme Editor displays a sample page where you can view any changes made using the customization tools. To preview your customizations, click the Preview Your Changes button [1].
To save your changes, click the Save theme button [2].
Once your theme has been saved, you can apply it to your account. To apply your customizations, click the Apply theme button [3].
Learn more about creating themes for an account.
Learn more about managing themes for an account.
Canvas Feature Options
Canvas is continually creating new features to improve your experience. The majority of improvements are made available as part of the regular release cycle. However, some features may change the workflow for common activities in Canvas during your current term. Because we want your account to function according to your institution’s needs and we want you to learn about these features at your own pace, you can manage some Canvas features from your Account Settings. Feature options allow you to choose if and when you want to enable a new feature for your institution. Most institutions pilot the feature within their institution and then enable it for the entire institution between terms.
View Feature Options
To view available features, click the Settings link in Account Navigation [1]. Then click the Feature Options tab [2].
Feature options are divided into two sections:
- Account [3]: Only account admins can view account feature options. Feature options trickle down, meaning that if an option is enabled at the root account, it will be enabled in all sub-accounts. Sub-account admins can then leave the feature enabled or they can disable the option for their sub-account.
- Course [4]: You can disable, allow, or enable course feature options in your account. If a course feature option is turned off or on in an account, the feature cannot be managed at the course level. If the feature is allowed in a course, instructors can choose to turn the feature on or off for their course.
To view information about a feature, click the Arrow icon next to the feature option name [5].
Learn more about current available feature options in an account.
Learn more about managing new features for an account.
View Feature Previews
A feature preview indicates a feature option in active development.
Making a feature preview available to your institution provides users with access to ongoing improvements. Users who opt in to the feature and join the Community user group can help improve the feature through direct feedback.
Please note that enabling a feature preview means all updates will be displayed automatically in the production environment outside the regular release cycle.
Learn more about feature previews.
External Apps (LTI)
Canvas supports Learning Tool Interoperability (LTI) standard for third party tools. This means you can integrate a variety of existing teaching tools to work within Canvas via the EduApp Center. You can enable these tools in your account and they will be available for use in courses in your account.
View Apps
Click the Settings link in Account Navigation [1], then click the Apps tab [2].
Canvas displays an alphabetical list of applications that integrate with Canvas [3]. You can also search for applications [4].
Add External App to Account
To enable an app in your account:
- Click the app icon, then and click the Add App button.
- Enter the required information to enable the app in your account.
- Click the Add App button.
As an admin, you can allow or restrict access to certain application integrations in your account. Learn how to manage a whitelist in the EduApp and how to manage an EduApp Center whitelist in your Canvas account.
You can also configure external apps via URL, XML, LTI 2 Registration URL, and via manual entry.
Additional Resources
Canvas Guides
For more in-depth information about the topics covered in this chapter, check out the Canvas Admin Guides chapters on Terms and Grading.
You can also watch the Canvas Admin overview videos about Terms and Grading Periods.
Canvas Community
The Canvas Community is an online community of Canvas users from around the world. It houses a space for Questions and Answers about Canvas and a variety of groups, including the Canvas Administration group.
Up Next in Lesson 6: Adding Course-level User Roles and Enrollments
Once your account is configured and customized, you are ready to add active users. In the last lesson you will learn about the following:
Course-level User Roles
- Canvas allows you to customize course access for users in your account. You can also create new user roles and manage their permissions.
Courses
- Courses house enrollments that consist of students, instructors, TAs, observers, and any other course-level users your institution requires.
- Create Canvas courses for your enrollments.
Add Users
- To create the best user experience for your faculty and students, your account should be configured and customized before you add course-level users.
