Can an admin view a user's password?

[holimoch]

When users are having difficulty with logging in, an admin can modify their username and password. However, most users do not want their username to change.

The best way, it seems to me, is to change only their password and then suggest they change it again after they log in.

Is there a better way?

[dbrace]

Hi @holimoch,

For security purposes Canvas admins do not have the ability to view passwords.  If a Canvas admin has the appropriate permissions, they are able to: (a) edit a password and/or (2) change their username.  If a Canvas admin with the appropriate permissions is assisting someone with a password reset, there is not a requirement to also change their username or to create a new username/login.

The "Edit Login" section of How do I manage a user's login information in an account? should help you out.

I hope my explanation and that resource makes sense and helps you. If it does not, can you please provide additional context.

-Doug

[holimoch]

Thank you, Doug.

I have maximum admin clearance for my instance, but when I edit a password, I am required to also edit the username. Is there a setting I can change to leave the username intact?

[dbrace · Accepted solution]

Interesting, @holimoch.

When I am in my institution's beta environment and I pull-up a user account, look at the "Login Information" area, and click on the "pencil" icon, an "Update Login" box appears.

I am able to change the "Password" (and "Confirm Password") without needing to change any of the other details.

From inside of Canvas, are you attempting to change the password for a login method that is associated with single-sign-on authentication?

-Doug

[GS_538]

@dbrace - I used to see Password and Confirm Password lines in the Update Login table. I do not see them now. 

How can I reset a user's password as an admin or a teacher? 

Thank you! 

[dbrace]

Hi @GS_538,

I do not have an answer for you.  In beta, I just tried to edit the login for different user accounts and those logins are a mix of SSO authentication and Canvas authentication. Each login that I attempted to edit showed me a "Password" and "Confirm Password".

I would recommend that you reach out to Canvas Support for help with it.

-Doug