Create an Assignment with a Due Date

Last updated on May 21, 2026

Canvas allows you to set a due date for assignments that will automatically populate the Canvas calendar, the course summary (found on the Syllabus), and the to-do list in the student sidebar. This helps students stay organized and keep track of their assignments. You can choose to not allow submissions after the due date or reduce points earned if submitted after this date.

For information about setting availably dates to prevent students from accessing an assignment too early or submitting too late, visit the “Create an Assignment with Limited Availability” tutorial.

Note: If you only need to add or adjust a due date on an existing assignment, skip to Step 10.

Directions

1. Log in to your Canvas Account.
2. Select the Course you’d like to work in.
3. Click Modules on the course navigation menu to the left.
4. Scroll to the Module you’d like to add an assignment to.
5. Click the + Button next to the name of the Module.
6. Select Assignment from the drop-down menu.
7. Click [Create Assignment].
8. Type a Title for your assignment in the Assignment Name box.
9. Click Add Item.
10. Click the Name of the assignment you created.
11. Click Edit.
12. Type Instructions and Additional Information in the second, larger input box.
    • Note: You can also add links, images, videos, and other resources in this section. To learn more, refer to the “Use the Rich Content Editor” tutorial.
13. Scroll down to the bottom box labeled Assign Access.
14. Click the Calendar Icon to the right of the Due Date text box.
15. Select your desired Due Date.
    • Note: You can also manually enter the due date in the input box.
16. Select your desired Time from the drop-down menu to the right of the Due Date.
    • This will automatically populate for 11:59 PM on your Due Date.
17. Optionally, Select a Available from and/or Until date and time.
    • Available from: This is the date that students will be able to open the assignment.
    • Until: This is the date that students will lose access to the assignment, and should be either the same as the Due Date or after.
18. Click Save in the lower right of the screen.

Have questions?

Need additional support on this or other teaching and learning topics? Please visit us for drop-in support (10am-3pm, M-F) or try one of our self-help tutorials. 

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