How to Handle Incompletes in Canvas

This article provides instructions for handling incompletes in Canvas when students need to make up work after the semester ends.

Question

A student has received an incomplete. How do I give them access to complete their assignments in Canvas?

Environment

• Canvas 

Information

When the semester ends, course access becomes view-only for both students and instructors. Students can no longer submit assignments or interact with the course, and instructors can no longer make edits.

Answer

Instructors can create a separate section within the course for students with an incomplete. This does not create a new course on the Dashboard. Instead, the instructor and student continue working in the same course. The separate section simply allows access for incomplete work while preserving the integrity of the original course.

Instructions are provided below.

Create the Incomplete Section

1. Go to Settings > Sections tab.
2. Type "Incomplete" in the text box and click + Section.
3. Click the name of the new section, then click Edit Section.
4. Set an End Date (the student's final deadline).
5. Check the box "Users can only participate in the course between these dates."
6. Click Update Section.

Add the Student and Yourself to the Section

1. Go to the People page.
2. Find the student, click the three dots (⋮), and select Edit Sections.
3. Search for the "Incomplete" section and add them.
4. Repeat this for your own name in the list.
5. Note: Do not remove original sections; users should remain in both.

Update Assignment Dates

1. Open the assignment and click Edit.
2. Scroll to the Assign To box and click + Add (do not delete the original "Everyone" dates).
3. In the new "Assign To" field:
   • Select the Incomplete Section (if students share a deadline).
   • OR select the Student's Name (if they have unique deadlines).
4. Set the new Due Date and Available Until date.
5. Click Save.