Quick Links: | Understanding Inactive Enrollments | Managing Inactive Enrollments |
Understanding Inactive Enrollments
What does "inactive" mean in Canvas?
When an enrollment is labeled as "inactive," it means the individual was once part of the course but is no longer enrolled.
For students, this typically means they dropped or withdrew from the course. Inactive students do not appear on the course roster for other students.
For other roles, such as Teachers, this means the individual was added to the course and later removed.
How do I know if an enrollment is inactive?
Inactive enrollments display an "inactive" label next to the user’s name on the People page.
Can inactive people access my course?
No. Inactive users cannot access course materials, receive announcements, or participate in course activities.
What does it mean when a Teacher is inactive?
If a Teacher or other role is marked as inactive, it means they were removed from the course. They no longer have access and do not appear to students.
Managing Inactive Enrollments
Do inactive students appear in the gradebook?
Inactive enrollments can be viewed in the Gradebook, but this option is turned off by default.
To view inactive students:
- In the Gradebook, locate the Student Name column.
- Select the Options menu.
- Select Inactive enrollments.
Why are inactive students still in student groups?
When groups are created, only active students are included. However, if a student drops the course after groups are created, they remain listed in the group but are inactive and cannot participate.
Instructors can remove inactive students from groups manually.
How do I remove inactive enrollments from the People page?
Inactive enrollments cannot be removed or hidden from the People page.
As an alternative, use Course Analytics to view course participation and student data without showing dropped students. Learn more in the Canvas Basics Guide on Course Analytics.
Why don’t dropped students get removed from the course?
Dropped enrollments are retained to preserve accurate course records, including grades, submissions, and communication history.
Keeping this data allows instructors to review past activity, maintain data integrity, and support students who may re-enroll.
Still need help? Contact the Technology & Learning Program for further assistance.
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