Columns in the Gradebook are only created by adding an assignment in Canvas. If you need to create a column in the Gradebook to use for manual grading, you can create a No Submission or On Paper assignment.

No Submission assignments are when you do not want students to submit an assignment in Canvas. This assignment type can be used to create extra columns in the Gradebook, create an assignment that involves multiple scores, or give extra credit.

On Paper assignments are when you want students to submit an assignment to you but not through Canvas. This assignment type applies to traditional face-to-face courses or hybrid courses when you want the assignment turned in during class, but you still want to create a column in the Canvas Gradebook for grading purposes. When student view the assignment, they see a Submitting: on paper notice.

To create multiple columns at once, you can upload changes to the Gradebook.

Note: The Gradebook only shows published, graded assignments, so Not Graded assignment types will not appear.

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.

You can create a group assignment by using the Group Assignment checkbox. Canvas uses group sets to assign group assignments, and each group within the group set that is assigned to the assignment is required to complete the assignment. When creating or editing a group assignment, you can assign an assignment to specific groups. You can also set different due dates and availability dates for a group within an assignment that is assigned to the rest of the class.

You will need to assign a group set as part of the assignment. You can add an existing group set, or you can create a new group set as part of the assignment and add students to groups later. However, if you create a group set with self sign-up or manual group assignments, you will not be able to use the group set until users have been added to the subgroups.

When differentiating groups in assignments, students can only view the assignment if they are a member of an assigned group. Otherwise the assignment does not appear in the student's assignments page. 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.

Notes:

• In group assignments, one submission will count for the entire group. Learn more about evaluating group work.
• Group assignments cannot be used with External Tool assignments.