{"id":6053,"date":"2026-01-28T21:04:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T21:04:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/?p=6053"},"modified":"2026-01-28T21:04:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T21:04:49","slug":"searching-for-specific-content-in-canvas-courses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/searching-for-specific-content-in-canvas-courses\/","title":{"rendered":"Searching for Specific Content in Canvas Courses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Have you ever needed to quickly search your entire course for specific content or keywords? Have you ever needed to replace old terminology with new terminology that exists throughout your course? Instructors can search their entire Canvas course(s) for specific content via the <strong>Course Search<\/strong> tool within the DesignPLUS Sidebar. The <strong>Course Search<\/strong> tool returns results based on keywords you provide. Instructors can also use the <strong>Replace with<\/strong> option to search and replace text throughout the course (instructors have the opportunity to review each instance before replacing).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#accessing-the-course-search-tool-in-the-designplus-sidebar\">Accessing the Course Search Tool in the DesignPLUS Sidebar<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#using-the-course-search-interface\">Using the Course Search Interface<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#find-and-replace-text\">Find and Replace Text<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#additional-resources\">Additional Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"accessing-the-course-search-tool-in-the-designplus-sidebar\">Accessing the Course Search Tool in the DesignPLUS Sidebar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Course Search<\/strong> tool can only be accessed via your Canvas course <strong>Settings<\/strong> screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Log in to your Canvas course.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click on the <strong>Settings<\/strong> course navigation link on the bottom left-hand side of your screen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wait a few seconds, and then click on the \ud83d\ude80 <strong>rocket ship<\/strong> icon that appears at the top right-hand corner of your screen. This will open the DesignPLUS Sidebar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under the <strong>Course Tools<\/strong> heading, click the \ud83d\udd0d <strong>Course Search<\/strong> button.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"420\" height=\"293\" src=\"http:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchButton.png\" alt=\"The DesignPLUS interface window displaying the &quot;Course Tools&quot; section, which lists three button options: Course Upgrade, Course Theme, and Course Search. A large, dark purple arrow overlays the menu and points specifically to the &quot;Course Search&quot; button, highlighting the option labeled with a magnifying glass icon and a green &quot;NEW&quot; badge.\" class=\"wp-image-6056\" srcset=\"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchButton.png 420w, https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchButton-300x209.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 85vw, 420px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"using-the-course-search-interface\">Using the Course Search Interface<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Course Search interface includes the following areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol style=\"list-style-type:upper-alpha\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Search text<\/strong> to type in keywords<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Match Case<\/strong> button<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Whole Word<\/strong> button<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the <strong>Search<\/strong> button to begin the search.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Replace<\/strong> button expands the menu so that you can find and replace text throughout your course.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the <strong>Information<\/strong> icon to display additional information about the <strong>Course Search<\/strong> tool, including a link to Cidi Labs official documentation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"415\" height=\"277\" src=\"http:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchInterface.png\" alt=\"The DesignPLUS Sidebar Course Search panel is shown with six distinct interface components labeled with yellow letters A through F for identification. Letter A marks the main &quot;Search text&quot; input field for entering keywords, B indicates the &quot;Aa&quot; button for toggling case sensitivity, and C points to the &quot;ab&quot; button for toggling whole word search. Letter D highlights the blue &quot;Search&quot; button used to execute the query, E marks the arrow button typically used to collapse or expand the search options area, and F indicates the small information tooltip icon located next to the &quot;Course Search&quot; panel title.\" class=\"wp-image-6058\" srcset=\"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchInterface.png 415w, https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchInterface-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 415px) 85vw, 415px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Optional:<\/strong> Click on the <strong>Replace<\/strong> button. The <strong>Replace with<\/strong> interface displays beneath it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the below example, the instructor would like to replace the word <strong>rules<\/strong> with the word <strong>directions<\/strong> throughout the Canvas course.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Click the <strong>Search<\/strong> button to begin the search.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"415\" height=\"437\" src=\"http:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchReplaceWith.png\" alt=\"The DesignPLUS Course Search sidebar panel illustrating the steps for a find-and-replace action. The top search field contains the word &quot;rules&quot; outlined in purple, and a large arrow points to the adjacent dropdown button which has been clicked to reveal the replace options below. In the expanded &quot;Replace with&quot; section, the input field contains the word &quot;directions&quot; outlined in purple, followed by a checked &quot;Select All Matches&quot; checkbox and buttons for &quot;Review Matches&quot; and &quot;Replace All.&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-6061\" srcset=\"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchReplaceWith.png 415w, https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchReplaceWith-285x300.png 285w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 415px) 85vw, 415px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In the example, the instructor has searched for the word <strong>rules<\/strong>, and the results have been displayed below it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Optional:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click the <strong>Type<\/strong> button to filter by <strong>Default<\/strong> (all results), <strong>Page<\/strong>, <strong>Assignment<\/strong>, <strong>Quiz<\/strong>, <strong>Discussion<\/strong>, or <strong>Announcement<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the <strong>State<\/strong> button to filter by <strong>Default<\/strong> (all results), <strong>Published<\/strong>, or <strong>Unpublished<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Course Search<\/strong> tool will<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>highlight results in bold lettering.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>include the appropriate Type label<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>indicate of the content is published or not<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"388\" height=\"532\" src=\"http:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchResults.png\" alt=\"The DesignPLUS Course Search panel displaying results for the search query &quot;rules&quot;. A summary indicates &quot;5 matches for 'rules'&quot; found from 190 items searched. Below dropdown filters for &quot;Type&quot; and &quot;State&quot;, a list of results shows item titles like &quot;Disc golf rules worksheet&quot; and &quot;Teaching with Technology,&quot; each accompanied by content type badges (e.g., Quiz, Page), status icons, and text snippets where the search term &quot;rules&quot; is highlighted in bold.\" class=\"wp-image-6067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchResults.png 388w, https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchResults-219x300.png 219w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 388px) 85vw, 388px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"find-and-replace-text\">Find and Replace Text<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you would like to replace text throughout your course, click the <strong>Replace<\/strong> button. A checkbox display next to each search result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Optional:<\/strong> Remove the \u2705 <strong>checkmark<\/strong> icon next to any content page if you would like to exclude it from your review.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the <strong>Review Matches<\/strong> button to review each instance, or click the <strong>Replace All<\/strong> button to replace all instances throughout your course without review.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"384\" height=\"735\" src=\"http:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchFindAndReplace.png\" alt=\"The DesignPLUS Course Search panel showing a find-and-replace operation in progress, where the term &quot;rules&quot; is set to be replaced with &quot;directions&quot;. Under the &quot;Course Search Results&quot; heading, a list of five matched items is displayed with checkboxes next to each title. Two large purple arrows specifically point to the unchecked checkboxes adjacent to the pages named &quot;Teaching with Technology&quot; and &quot;Design Assistant - Accordions\/Expanders\/Tabs,&quot; illustrating the action of deselecting specific content to exclude it from the replacement process, while other items like &quot;Disc golf rules worksheet&quot; remain checked for inclusion.\" class=\"wp-image-6072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchFindAndReplace.png 384w, https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchFindAndReplace-157x300.png 157w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 384px) 85vw, 384px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>If you choose to <strong>Review Matches<\/strong>, the <strong>Course Search Results Preview<\/strong> window displays. Review the selected content items by clicking the <strong>&lt;&lt; Previous<\/strong> and <strong>Next &gt;&gt;<\/strong> buttons. Click the green <strong>Replace matches<\/strong> button to confirm the text replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"744\" height=\"307\" src=\"http:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchReplaceReview.png\" alt=\"The DesignPLUS &quot;Course Search Results Preview&quot; window, showing the review process for replacing the search term &quot;rules&quot; with &quot;directions&quot; on a specific Canvas page. The preview displays the page titled &quot;Disc golf rules&quot; (indicated as item 2 of 3), with the word &quot;rules&quot; highlighted in the title. Below, a control panel shows &quot;Replace With&quot; set to &quot;directions&quot;, a green &quot;Replace matches&quot; button, and an option to &quot;Continue to next item after approval.&quot; The content preview area displays the text &quot;Watch the following video about disc golf rules: Disc golf rules,&quot; where both instances of the word &quot;rules&quot; are highlighted in yellow, indicating the locations for the proposed replacement.\" class=\"wp-image-6074\" srcset=\"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchReplaceReview.png 744w, https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/01\/DesignPLUS_CourseSearchReplaceReview-300x124.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"additional-resources\">Additional Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cidilabs.instructure.com\/courses\/6630\/pages\/course-search\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Course Search: [New] DesignPLUS User Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you ever needed to quickly search your entire course for specific content or keywords? Have you ever needed to replace old terminology with new terminology that exists throughout your course? Instructors can search their entire Canvas course(s) for specific content via the Course Search tool within the DesignPLUS Sidebar. The Course Search tool returns &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/searching-for-specific-content-in-canvas-courses\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Searching for Specific Content in Canvas Courses&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4255,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,244],"tags":[246,24,26,105,121,474,432,247,475,390,310,476,280],"class_list":["post-6053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-canvas","category-cidi-labs","tag-cidi","tag-content","tag-course","tag-courses","tag-designplus","tag-find","tag-interface","tag-labs","tag-replace","tag-search","tag-sidebar","tag-text","tag-tool"],"author_meta":{"display_name":"Chris Hofer","author_link":"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/author\/chofer\/"},"featured_img":null,"coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/category\/canvas\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Canvas<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/category\/cidi-labs\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Cidi Labs<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Canvas<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Cidi Labs<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/category\/cidi-labs\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Cidi<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/category\/cidi-labs\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Content<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu\/ed-tech\/category\/cidi-labs\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Course<\/a>","<a 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class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">sidebar<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">text<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Tool<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 3 months ago","modified":"Updated 3 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on January 28, 2026","modified":"Updated on January 28, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on January 28, 2026 9:04 pm","modified":"Updated on January 28, 2026 9:04 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