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How to Set Canvas Assignment Due Dates Efficiently
Overview
Adding due dates to assignments in Canvas ensures students receive timely reminders and that assignments appear in their To-Do lists, Canvas Calendar, and Course Summary. It also enables automatic grading policies and integration with the Gradebook.
This guide walks you through setting, editing, and managing assignment due dates efficiently across your course.
Estimated Time to Complete: 30 minutes depending on number of assignments
Instructions
- Access the Assignments Area
- Log in to Learn@Capitol (Canvas)
- Open your course
- Click Assignments from the left-hand menu
- Set or Edit Assignment Due Dates Individually
- Click the name of the assignment you want to update
- Click Edit
- Scroll to the Assign section at the bottom
- Set:
- Due Date: When the assignment is due
- Available From: When students can begin viewing the assignment
- Until: When the assignment is no longer accessible (optional)
- Click Save or Save & Publish
- Batch Edit Due Dates Using the Canvas Calendar
- From your Canvas Dashboard or course navigation, click Calendar
- Find the assignment on the calendar
- Drag and drop the assignment to a new date
*This updates the due date automatically
- Use Recurring Patterns Instead of Specific Dates
- To simplify future updates and maintain consistency:
- Use phrasing like “Due every Sunday by 11:59 PM ET” in your syllabus and instructions
- Avoid specific calendar dates (e.g., February 12, 2025) in assignment instructions
- To simplify future updates and maintain consistency:
- Confirm Due Dates Appear for Students
- Assignments with due dates will show in:
- The To-Do List on the student dashboard
- The Course Calendar
- The Course Summary on the syllabus page
- The Grades tab
- Assignments with due dates will show in:
Students will also receive notifications (if enabled) when due dates are added or updated.
Tips for Efficiency
- Use the Canvas Calendar to visually space out assignments
- Keep a consistent deadline time (e.g., Sunday 11:59 PM ET) across all assignments
- Avoid closing assignments too early—students may still want to review feedback after submission
Troubleshooting
Issue | Solution |
Students can’t see due dates | Ensure the assignment is published and not locked |
Assignments missing from Calendar | Only assignments with due dates appear—double check the “Assign” settings |
Date/time is showing in wrong timezone | Canvas uses Eastern Time (ET) by default, but verify your personal Canvas settings under Account > Settings |
Still Need Help?
If you’re having trouble setting assignment dates or organizing your course schedule, reach out to the Online Learning team at ask@captechu.edu.