Canvas has a number of icons to differentiate types of assignments, multiple ways to access grading, and informing you in advance that there may be an issue with your gradebook setup.  Familiarize yourself with the different icons to quickly navigate through your gradebook.


Gradebook IconIcon Description
Assignment Icon

paper with warning symbol

A submission that needs to be graded, regraded (for a resubmission other than a discussion), or manually graded for quizzes.

Visibility Icon

Eyeball slashed through
The grade has been hidden from students.  Note that the total course grade students see will be different from what you see because of hidden grades.
Black Warning Icon

black exclamation point in a circle next to a number

The final score does not include one of the assignment groups because the group has zero points possible.  Hover over the icon to learn which assignment group is affected. This icon only displays in the total column related to assignment group errors.

Red Warning Icon

red exclamation point in a red circle

The entered grade is not supported in the grading scheme. Canvas will also display an invalid grade warning message when an invalid grade is entered.

Grade Detail Tray Icon

arrow pointing to grade detail tray icon located in gradebook cell

When you click on a Gradebook cell, the grade detail tray icon will appear. The tray allows you to: 

Adjust the status of an assignment

  • Enter/edit the grade 
  • Leave written comments and/or links
  • Open the Canvas SpeedGrader
Grade Settings

Settings cog symbol

Located in the upper right-hand corner of the Grades page, select this icon to access an additional menu that will allow you to:

  • Create a course late submissions policy
  • Create a course posting policy,
  • Override the total grade
  • Change your gradebook view.