Create an Assignment with Limited Availability

Last updated on May 21, 2026

Instructors can use the optional Availability Date settings to limit the timeframe in which students can view and submit an assignment. This is useful because you can create assignments in advance and prevent students from accessing them until you wish to unlock them. You can also prevent late submissions by setting the Due Date as the end of the availability window (visit the “Create an Assignment with a Due Date” tutorial for more information about setting due dates).

Note: If you only need to add or adjust a due date or availability date on an existing assignment, skip to Step 13.

Directions

1. Go to MSU Denver’s Faculty and Staff Hub.
2. Click Quick Links on the top right of the page.
3. Click Canvas from the menu options that appear.
4. Log in to your Canvas Account.
5. Select the Course you’d like to work in.
6. Click Modules on the course navigation menu to the left.
7. Scroll to the Module where you’d like to add an assignment.
8. Click the + Button next to the name of the Module.
9. Select Assignment from the drop-down menu.
10. Click [Create Assignment].
11. Type a Title for your assignment in the Assignment Name box.
12. Click Add Item.
13. Click the Name of the assignment you created in the module.
14. Click Edit.
15. Type Instructions and Additional Information in the second, larger box.
    • Note: You can also add links, images, videos, and other resources in this section. To learn more, view the “Use the Rich Content Editor” tutorial.
16. Adjust the Settings, as desired.
17. Scroll down to the Assign Access section.
18. Click the Calendar Icon for each date box to select a date.
    • Due Date: Any submission after the Due Date will be marked as late in the gradebook. An assignment must have a due to to appear on the students’ To-Do list.
    • Available From: This is the date that students will be able to access the assignment. Use this date to block students from opening and submitting the assignment before you want them to.
      • If you leave this date blank, the assignment will be accessible to students as soon as it is published.
    • Until: After this date, students will not be able to access the assignment, and submissions will not be accepted.
      • This date must be either the same as or after the Due Date. To prohibit late assignment submissions, make the Until date the same as the Due Date.
      • If you leave this date blank, students will be able to access and submit the assignment until the course ends.
19. Click the Time drop-down boxes next to each date to change the exact time the assignment will be Due, Available From, or available Until.
    • The time will automatically be set for 11:59 PM once a date is selected.
20. Click Save at the bottom right of the page.

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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