Bulk Update Assignment Due Dates and Availability Dates

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 click the Options (three vertical dots) 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 Configuring Course Navigation.

  • Students will never see the MultiTool link in your course, even if you’ve enabled it in your 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.
A screenshot of the Cidi Labs Course MultiTool interface within the Canvas LMS. The image illustrates the two steps to access the due date editing features: Instructors must first click the MultiTool course navigation link [visually indicated by the number (1)], and then click on either of the two highlighted Due Date Modifier options [both marked by the number (2)]. The tool allows setting and updating assignment due dates, unlock and lock dates, page due dates, and quiz show/hide answer dates.
  1. On the next screen, all graded assignments in your course will load under the section Assignment Data.
A screenshot of the Cidi Labs Due Date Modifier tool interface within the Canvas LMS. The image displays the top portion of the modifier screen, which features a tabbed navigation bar where the Due Date Modifier tab is selected and highlighted with a calendar icon. A purple arrow points to the adjacent Module Builder icon. Beneath the navigation, the screen shows a Date Format dropdown set to MM/DD/YYYY and the text "Update all assignment dates in one place!" followed by an orange caution note about timezone settings and a link to the LTI Support page.
  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 “Weekend Assignment” assignment (A). That item now shows in the list of other checked assignments (B) under the Bulk Updates section of the Due Date Modifier screen.
  2. 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.
A screenshot of the Cidi Labs Due Date Modifier interface within the Canvas LMS, displaying the main functional sections of the tool. Near the top is the Bulk Updates panel, which provides options to modify due dates and availability dates by adding or subtracting days. Located below this is the Assignment Data section, which lists all course assignments in a table with columns for Type, Assignment Name, Due Date, Available From, and Until, along with input fields allowing the instructor to modify these dates directly.

Additional Resources

Canvas’ Edit Assignment Dates Tool

How do I bulk update due dates and availability dates as an instructor?

Cidi Labs’ Due Date Modifier Tool