Bulk Update Assignment Due Dates and Availability Dates

Within Canvas, CCS has two ways that instructors can bulk update assignment due dates and availability dates. The first tool is included out-of-the-box from Instructure called Edit Assignment Dates. The second tool is a third-party extension integrated with Canvas called the Due Date Modifier designed by Cidi Labs. No matter which tool you choose, bulk updating offers a quicker way to edit your assignment details rather than changing assignment settings one by one.

Edit Assignment Dates

You can use the native Edit Assignment Dates screen in Canvas to bulk edit your assignment due dates and availability dates.

  1. In Course Navigation, click the Assignments link.
  2. At the top right-hand corner of the screen, click on the Options (three-dot kebab) icon.
  3. Select Edit Assignment Dates.
  4. On the Edit Assignment Dates screen, add/edit any due dates and availability dates for your assignments.
  5. Click the Save button to confirm your changes.

You can also batch edit dates on this screen.

  1. Place a checkmark next to any or all assignments that you want to batch edit.
  2. Click the Batch Edit button.
  3. Chose either to:
    • Shift Dates: Shift due dates and assignment availability dates forward by a number of days.
    • Remove Dates: Remove due dates and assignment availability dates.

Using the Cidi Labs MultiTool

The MultiTool is an external tool that CCS purchased as part of the DesignPLUS product from Cidi Labs. If you do not see the MultiTool course navigation menu displayed in your Canvas course, follow the directions in Streamlining Student Navigation: Course Navigation.

Once you have enabled the MultiTool in your Canvas course navigation menu:

  1. In Course Navigation, click the MultiTool link.
  2. On the MultiTool screen, click on either the Due Date Modifier icon or the Due Date Modifier description.
On the MultiTool screen, click on either the Due Date Modifier icon or the Due Date Modifier description.
  1. On the next screen, all graded assignments in your course will load under the section Assignment Data.
If your assignments do not load properly on this screen, it may be because this is your first time using the MultiTool. To remedy this, click on the Module Builder icon at the top of the screen. Then, click on the Due Date Modifier icon to return to that screen.
  1. Similar to updating due dates and assignment availability dates via Canvas’ Edit Assignment Dates tool, add/edit any dates for your assignments.
  2. Click the 🔄️ Update button that appears on the right side of an assignment row to update the dates for that assignment.

Set Blackout Dates

The Due Date Modifier also allows you to set blackout dates. For example, you could blackout holidays, times when you have vacation plans, etc. You will not be able to select these dates when editing assignment due dates and availability dates via the Due Date Modifier screen.

  1. Within the Due Date Modifier screen, click on the Set Blackout Dates option.
  2. Add specific dates and/or use the checkboxes to select specific days of the week you wish to blackout.

Set Default Times

Similar to blackout dates, you can set a default Due Time, an Available Time, a Lock Time, a Show Answers Time, and a Hide Answers Time.

  1. Within the Due Date Modifier screen, click on the Set Default Times option.
  2. Add/Edit the times as needed.

Bulk Updates

The Bulk Updates portion of the Due Date Modifier allows you to bulk update multiple assignment details at one time.

  1. Within the Assignment Data section where your assignments are listed, place a ✅ checkmark next to each assignment name that you wish to bulk update.
    • Assignment names will begin to appear in a box in the Bulk Updates area of the Due Date Modifier. For example, a ✅ checkmark was placed next to the Final Essay assignment (bottom green box). That item now shows in the list of other checked assignments (top green box) under the Bulk Updates section of the Due Date Modifier screen.
Assignment names will begin to appear in a box in the Bulk Updates area of the Due Date Modifier. For example, a checkmark was placed next to the Final Essay assignment (bottom green box). That item now shows in the list of other checked assignments (top green box) under the Bulk Updates section of the Due Date Modifier screen.
  1. Once you have placed a ✅ checkmark next to each assignment you wish to bulk update, use the Bulk Day Adjust, Bulk Dates, and Bulk Times (set dates first) options to bulk update those assignment dates.

Additional Resources