Adjust Course Navigation Tabs & Course Settings

Course Navigation and Course Settings help you control what students see and how they access your course. A streamlined navigation menu reduces confusion and helps students focus on the tools and content you actually use. Course Settings is also where you can view and update key course details such as sections, navigation options, feature settings, and integrations (depending on your permissions).

Goal: Keep the student experience simple. Show only the links students need and confirm your course settings before the semester begins.

Course Navigation: What Students See

Course Navigation is the menu on the left side of your course. You can reorder links and hide items you are not using. This helps students quickly find where to start and where to return each week.

Keep it minimal: Fewer links usually means fewer student questions.
Be consistent: Point students toward the same “home base” each week (often Modules).
Hide unused tools: If you are not using a tool, consider hiding it to reduce distractions. Many instructors choose to guide students through content using Modules, rather than sending them directly to Pages, Assignments, Quizzes, Discussions, or Files.

Helpful to know: Some links may appear hidden from students automatically when there is no content available. You can also hide links manually in the Navigation settings.

Recommended “Student-Facing” Navigation (Example)

Your specific course needs may vary, but many instructors keep a small, consistent set of links visible to students - often including:

Home
Modules (common starting point)
Syllabus (if you are using the Syllabus tool)
Grades
Announcements (optional, depending on your communication style)

Tip: Hiding a navigation link from Student View does not prevent students from accessing that content if it is linked or organized within Modules.

Course Settings: Key Areas to Review

Course Settings is where you can view and update course details and configure several important options. What you can edit may depend on your role and institutional settings.

Course Details: View basic course information and key options.
Sections: View or manage sections (if applicable).
Navigation: Reorder and hide Course Navigation links for students.
Apps / External Tools: View or manage LTI tools (if enabled).
Feature Options: Enable or disable course features made available by your admin.
Integrations: View available integrations (if enabled).

Quick note: If you imported content from another course, it’s a good idea to review Navigation and Settings to ensure your students only see the tools you intend to use.

Accessibility & Clarity Reminder

A streamlined navigation menu supports accessibility and usability by reducing cognitive load and helping students locate key information more quickly. The clearer your course structure, the easier it is for all students to engage with course content.

Related Canvas Guides (Optional Reference)

The links below provide step-by-step instructions and additional detail for adjusting navigation links and reviewing course settings.

You can also access all Canvas Guides anytime by clicking the Help button in the green Global Navigation menu.

Click Previous to go back

Back to Checklist

Click Next to continue