Canvas: How to Enable, Disable, and Organize Course Navigation Menu Items

Summary

Learn how to customize the Canvas course navigation menu by enabling, disabling, and rearranging menu items. This guide helps faculty control which course tools students can access and organize course navigation for a clearer learning experience.

Body

Course Navigation Settings: Enable or Disable Menu Items

NC A&T State University | Canvas Faculty Guide

Overview

Canvas allows instructors to customize the course navigation menu by enabling, disabling, and organizing menu items.

Course navigation settings help instructors control which tools and links are displayed to students. Keeping the navigation menu organized can make it easier for students to locate important course materials and instructional resources.

Before You Begin

Open the Canvas course whose navigation menu you want to update. Review which tools and links students will need throughout the course.

Important: Changes to course navigation settings determine which menu items appear in the course navigation menu for students. Review your selections before saving.

How to Enable or Disable Course Navigation Items

  1. Open the Canvas course you want to update.
  2. From the course navigation menu, click Settings.
  3. Select the Navigation tab.
  4. Review the list of visible and hidden navigation items.
  5. To hide a menu item from students:
    • Drag the item into the lower hidden navigation section.
    • Alternatively, click the item's options menu and select Disable.
  6. To make a menu item visible:
    • Drag the item into the upper visible navigation section.
    • Alternatively, click the item's options menu and select Enable.
  7. Click Save to apply your navigation changes.

Understanding Navigation Menu Options

Use the following reference table to understand how the available navigation actions affect the course menu.

Action What It Does How to Perform It
Enable Places a menu item in the visible navigation section. Drag the item into the upper section or select Enable from the options menu.
Disable Moves a menu item into the hidden navigation section. Drag the item into the lower section or select Disable from the options menu.
Reorder Changes the order in which menu items are displayed. Drag items into the preferred order within the visible navigation section.
Save Applies the navigation changes to the course. Click Save after making your changes.

Best Practices for Course Navigation

A clear course navigation menu makes it easier for students to find the tools and resources they need.

  • Keep the menu simple: Display only the tools and links students need for the course.
  • Hide unused items: Disable navigation items that are not being used.
  • Organize important tools: Place frequently used course navigation items in an easy-to-find order.
  • Review the menu: Check your navigation settings when preparing your course.

Best Practice: Keep Navigation Simple

Keep only the tools and links students need. Hiding unused navigation items helps reduce confusion and creates a cleaner course experience.

Need Additional Assistance?

If you need assistance enabling or disabling course navigation items, adjusting course settings, or accessing Canvas tools, submit a request through the Canvas Support service.

Canvas Support →

North Carolina A&T State University | Information Technology Services | Instructional Technology & Training Development (ITTD)

Details

Details

Article ID: 20307
Created
Mon 10/12/26 4:14 PM
Modified
Fri 11/6/26 1:31 PM
Shared Article Departments
Not A Shared Article