Observer access

[KathyBennetts]

Hello team,

We are trying to add people to a canvas course and give them 'observer' access. In most courses, we have been able to select 'observer'. However, in a number of courses, the 'observer' access is not in the dropdown list. Does anyone have any ideas please?

[greydon · Accepted solution]

Hello @KathyBennetts 

Thank you for contacting the Canvas Community. We're sorry to hear you've been experiencing issues with adding observers to an account. It sounds like you are adding these users manually via the People tab. Occasionally, the school or district can limit what types of users can be added manually to a course in a given sub-account or across all accounts. If you are able to add them in some courses, and they aren't an option in another, it is likely a permission/setting that has been removed. 

Sometimes, they want the observer being added through traditional means like via student pairing or through a SIS import or even self-sign up.

Here is the Canvas guide:

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-is-the-Observer-role/ta-p/4

Because of the complexity of the issue, and the concerns for privacy, it would be best if you contacted Canvas Support directly to pinpoint the source of the issue and provide a resolution:

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/How-do-I-contact-Canvas-Support/ta-p/389767