Using the Canvas Inbox

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Canvas Inbox

Canvas Inbox provides a convenient way to communicate with students directly within Canvas. Since students regularly access Canvas for course information, Inbox can be an effective alternative to regular email.

Why use Canvas Inbox?

  • Students can receive notifications for new Canvas messages.
  • Students can communicate with classmates without sharing personal email addresses.
  • Faculty can receive message notifications through the Canvas app.
  • Messages are organized by course in one location.
  • Canvas Inbox supports FERPA-compliant communication.

What can I do in Canvas Inbox?

In Canvas Inbox, you can:

  • Send a message to someone in your course.
  • Reply to messages from others in your course.
  • Filter conversations by course or type (read, unread, or starred).
  • View and reply to assignment submission comments.

You can send a message to one or multiple users in a course. The course must be published before you can send messages to currently enrolled students. If students have not yet been added to your course, you can obtain a list of emails for your students in Self-Service and send a message through UIS Webmail.

How do I use Canvas Inbox?

To access Canvas Inbox, click Inbox from the blue Global Navigation menu on the left side of Canvas. The Inbox displays your current messages and allows you to view and reply to conversations.

Canvas Global Navigation menu with Inbox selected

Creating a New Canvas Message

To send a new Canvas message:

  1. Click the Compose button (the square icon with a pencil). A new Compose Message window will appear.
    Canvas Inbox Compose button

  2. In the Course dropdown menu, select the course for the message.
    Canvas Compose Message window showing the Course dropdown menu

  3. In the To line, click the Address Book icon to select your recipients. You can select:

    • All in the course
    • Teachers
    • Students

    Canvas Compose Message window showing recipient options for all users, teachers, and students

  4. To finish your message, enter a Subject, type your message, and click the blue Send button.

Canvas Inbox Considerations

  • If the recipient list contains more than 100 users, Canvas will automatically send individual messages to each user. The sender is included in the recipient count.
  • You cannot send one message to the same user across multiple courses; a separate message must be sent for each course.
  • You can send a message to yourself, but it will only appear in the Sent folder.
  • Messages cannot be sent to users in concluded courses.
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