Conversations is split into two panels and displays messages chronologically. You can view and reply to conversations and sort them by course or inbox type. Conversations itself does not have any file size limits; however, attachments added to a conversation are included in the sender's personal files.

Notes:

• If you right-click or option-click on the Inbox link, you can open your Conversation Inbox in a new browser tab to keep it handy while you are doing other tasks in Canvas.
• Users display in Conversations once they have an active enrollment in the course, and users cannot join a course unless it is published.

By default, users can login in directly to Canvas using Canvas authentication. However, all Canvas users must have a Canvas account before they can log in to Canvas.

Canvas authentication includes an option called self registration, which displays a registration banner on your account login page that allows users to create their own Canvas accounts. By default, Canvas authentication is enabled for all institutions, but self registration is disabled.

Note that Canvas authentication can be used without self registration. For instance, some institutions want to create user accounts with a student information system (SIS) and import SIS data into Canvas but allow users to log in using the default Canvas login page. Canvas authentication also supports Single Sign On (SSO) authentication, which allows you to customize your login information, and can be used in addition to third-party authentication providers.

Self Registration Accounts

You can allow self registration for all user roles (students, instructors, observers) or only observer roles.

• Student Accounts: Self registration is used with self enrollment. When users sign up as a student, a join code is required to access the course. Self enrollment creates the join code, which instructors can give to students to sign up in the course. Learn more about self enrollment options in your account.
• Instructor Accounts: Instructors can sign up for a Canvas account through self registration if your institution does not already create instructor accounts.
• Observer Accounts: Parents and other users who want to observe a student sign up through Canvas through the observer role.

Notes:

• You cannot delete Canvas authentication as an authentication option.
• Canvas authentication passwords require a minimum of eight characters.