Canvas Deploy Notes (2025-04-09)
Canvas deploys contain code changes that are intended to fix bugs, improve performance, and prepare for new features. These deploys take place every two weeks and can be tested in the beta environment before the production deploy date indicated in the title of this document. Institutions are responsible for conducting thorough evaluations of their custom CSS/JS with each release and deploy to assess potential impacts.
Fixed bugs are located in Known Issues. For related issues resolved in this deploy, view the 2025-04-09 Known Issues tag.
Unless otherwise stated, all features in this deploy are available in the Beta environment on 2025-03-27 and the Production environment on 2025-04-09.
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For Canvas Platform Service changes (API, GraphQL, Canvas Data), please see the appropriate page in the Change Log
Other questions? Visit the Canvas Release FAQ
Looking to discuss the features in the Deploy Notes? Post a reply in the Features Q&A: Canvas Deploy Notes (2025-04-09)
Table of Contents
- Updated Features
- Discussions
- Expanded Availability of Discussion Checkpoints
- New Quizzes
- Student Analysis Report CSV Update
- Sub-Accounts
- Updates to Sub-account Creation and Editing
- Other Updates
- Accessibility Updates
- Enhanced Structural Clarity
- Improved Error Feedback
- Developer Keys
- Improved Handling of External Tools
Updated Features
Discussions
Expanded Availability of Discussion Checkpoints
Feature Option Name to Enable |
Discussion Checkpoints, Contact Customer Success Manager See the Canvas Feature Option Summary to learn more about Feature Options. |
Enable Feature Option Location & Default Status |
Account (Disabled/Unlocked) |
Subaccount Configuration |
Yes |
Account/Course Setting to Enable |
None |
Permissions |
None |
Affects User Interface |
No |
Affected Areas |
Discussions |
Related Ideas |
None |
Previous Release Mention |
Summary
The Discussion Checkpoints Feature Option is also available at the Account and Sub-account level. Previously, this feature option was only available at the Root Account level.
Change Benefit
This update makes it easier for institutions to implement and manage Discussion Checkpoints in a way that best suits their organizational structure.
New Quizzes
Student Analysis Report CSV Update
Feature Option Name to Enable |
New Quizzes See the Canvas Feature Option Summary to learn more about Feature Options. |
Enable Feature Option Location & Default Status |
Account (Disabled/Unlocked) |
Subaccount Configuration |
Yes |
Account/Course Setting to Enable |
None |
Permissions |
Manage Assignments and Quizzes SIS Data-read |
Affects User Interface |
Yes |
Affected Areas |
New Quizzes |
Related Ideas |
Summary
In the New Quizzes Student Analysis Report CSV:
- HTML processing is removed from answers.
- SIS data is available when instructors have the necessary permission.
- A Status column includes the following item state values:
- Graded – The student answered the question, either correctly or incorrectly.
- Not Graded – The question is awaiting grading (applies only to Essay or File Upload questions).
- Not Attempted – The question was not included in the student’s quiz.
No Answer – The student did not answer the question, but it was part of the quiz. - Not Supported – The question type is not supported by the Student Analysis Report.
- N.A. – An error state indicating missing important data from the modal.
Change Benefit
This update streamlines the grading and review process, making it easier to interpret quiz data efficiently.
Feature Workflow
When the SIS Data-read permission is enabled for instructors, SIS data displays in the Student Analysis report CSV.
A Status column displays for each question in a quiz.
Sub-Accounts
Updates to Sub-account Creation and Editing
Feature Option Name to Enable |
N/A |
Enable Feature Option Location & Default Status |
N/A |
Subaccount Configuration |
N/A |
Account/Course Setting to Enable |
None |
Permissions |
Account-level settings - manage |
Affects User Interface |
Yes |
Affected Areas |
Sub-Accounts |
Related Ideas |
None |
Summary
Several updates are made to improve how sub-accounts are created and edited:
- A Sub-account name or Edit Sub-account headers display when adding a new or editing an existing sub-account.
- Cancel, Update or Save buttons display when creating or editing a sub-account name.
- Sub-accounts cannot be created without entering a name.
Change Benefit
This update enhances accessibility by migrating the existing UI to Inst UI, improving clarity and readability.
Feature Workflow
When adding a new Sub-account, a header displays [1], a sub-account name is required [2], and a Cancel [3] and Save [4] buttons are available.
When editing a Sub-account name, a header displays [1] and an Update button [2] is available.
Other Updates
Accessibility Updates
Over the coming months, a series of updates will be introduced to enhance Canvas's accessibility, intuitiveness, and equity, with a focus on improving usability for assistive technology users. These updates will include changes in the following areas:
Enhanced Structural Clarity
Refined semantic markup in the user interface to improve communication of content relationships and hierarchy.
Improved Error Feedback
In the user interface, improved error messages in forms and interactive elements provide clearer and more accessible feedback. Error messages were added to required fields that previously lacked them, while existing error states were updated to follow a consistent pattern. Focused states for missing or incorrect fields ensure a uniform experience for all users, whether using a mouse, keyboard, or screen reader.
Developer Keys
Improved Handling of External Tools
Affects User Interface |
No |
Affected Feature Areas |
Developer Keys |
Related Ideas |
None |
Summary
Canvas LMS is updated to a more streamlined approach, ContextExternalTool.from_content_tag, to identify and connect to external tools. Previously, the system used the find_external_tool() method. Additionally, if an external tool is inactive, Canvas LMS prioritizes connecting to it using a unique client ID rather than relying on factors like domain structure or ID order.
Change Benefit
This change ensures Canvas LMS selects the most relevant external tool based on the specific course or content, providing a consistent experience for instructors and students when accessing integrated tools.
Change Log
2025-03-28