Changing a Course Nickname in Canvas

Question

How do I change the display name of my course in Canvas?

Environment

  • Canvas

Information

In Canvas, students and instructors can rename courses on their dashboard using a "nickname."

This is helpful for instructors who want to rename a course template (like USERNAME.TEMPLATE) to match the course they are currently developing. Nicknames make it easier to organize your dashboard without changing the official course name, code, or ID.

Answer

  1. Log in to Canvas (opens in a new window).
  2. On the Dashboard, find the course you want to rename. Each course will appear as a card or tile.
  3. In the top-right corner of the course card, click the three vertical dots (Options).
  4. Click Nickname.
  5. In the text box that appears, enter your desired nickname for the course.
  6. Click Apply to save your changes.

Watch the video below to learn more:

Additional Information

  • Private View: Nicknames are only visible to you. Changing a course nickname does not affect how the course appears to students, other instructors, or official college systems.
  • Organization: Use a consistent personal naming style for your nicknames to keep your dashboard organized and easy to navigate.
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