How do I prevent students from editing their discussion replies?

Last updated on May 21, 2026

By default, all replies a student posts in a Discussion in Canvas can be edited or deleted by that student. You can disable this feature, if you like, on a class-wide basis. This can be done to ensure greater academic integrity in your course, as a student cannot post an incomplete reply and then revise it later after reading through the discussion.

If the deadline for a discussion has passed, and you would like to prevent students from editing, adding, or deleting posts for that specific discussion board, you can also close all comments.

Disable Editing and Deleting Posts in Discussions

Note: This is a course-wide setting and will impact every discussion board in your course.

1. Click on Settings in the left-hand course navigation menu. 
2. Click on the Course Details tab along the top of the page.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
4. Uncheck the box next to Let Students Edit or Delete Their Own Discussion Replies.
5. Click Update Course Details in the bottom right-hand corner.

Close All Comments on a Discussion

Note: This will prevent students from adding, editing, or deleting posts within a discussion board. Only do this once the deadline for the discussion has passed.

1. Click Discussions on the left-hand course navigation menu.
2. Click the Discussion you would like to lock.
3. Click the three dots (more options) to the right of the discussion name.
4. Select Close for Comments from the drop-down menu.
   • Note: You can reopen the discussion for comments by following the same steps and clicking Open for Comments.

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