Here’s what’s new for Summer 2025
(Additional updates will be added throughout the quarter. Newest updates at the top.)
- YouTube Video Ads
- Improved User Notification Definition Visibility
- Groups: Tooltip for Group Section Setting
- RCE: Resize Controls
- DocViewer Touch Support
- Dyslexia Friendly Font
- RCE: Default Image Dimension Type
- Fall 2025 Canvas Course Creation
- Ed Discussion Privacy Message
- Files Redesign
- Summer 2025 Canvas Courses
YouTube Video Ads
Starting 9/22/25, embedded YouTube videos may begin to display ads.
Improved User Notification Definition Visibility
Starting 8/13, the User Notifications page displays course activity definitions directly on the page, rather than as tooltips that appear when hovering over an item.
Groups: Tooltip for Group Section Setting
When the “Require group members to be in the same section” checkbox is selected, a tooltip displays to provide additional context for what the setting does.
RCE Resize Controls
The RCE now displays a plus (+) and minus (-) icon to allow users to resize the editor. Clicking either of these icons results in very incremental changes to the RCE box, much less convenient than the original resize icon.
DocViewer Touch Support
In the DocViewer, users can edit documents using a touch input (finger) or stylus on ChromeOS devices, allowing for users to annotate documents.
Dyslexia Friendly Font
Users can enable the Dyslexia Friendly Font feature option by going to Account > Settings > scroll down to Feature Options > enable Use a dyslexia friendly font. The Canvas UI and RCE display text using OpenDyslexic font by default. This feature improves readability for users with dyslexia.
RCE: Default Image Dimension Type
When an image is added to the Rich Content Editor, the default image dimension type is now changed to a percentage. Previously, this dimension type default was pixels.. To see Dimension Type, you must first select Custom from the Size dropdown menu.
Fall 2025 Canvas Course Creation
Fall 2025 Canvas courses are now available, as of 7/21. If you are listed as the official instructor of record on Axess but do not see the Canvas course on your dashboard, please contact canvashelp@stanford.edu.
Ed Discussion Privacy Message
Starting June 30, all Canvas users will see a privacy message the first time they launch Ed Discussion in a Canvas course. The message reminds users that Ed Discussion is approved for use of Moderate Risk data and communications only. Any sharing of High Risk data is a violation of its terms of use. Users much acknowledge the message prior to being able to launch the Ed Discussion website. The message appears once per course.
Files Redesign
As of July 19, the Canvas Files page has a new look and feel. For a short period, there will be a button to allow users to switch between the old and new user interface of the Files tool. Files Redesign introduces pagination, separate modals for Manage Permissions and Manage Usage Rights, more obvious bulk functionality, and checkboxes to select specific items. Files Redesign has removed the file tree structure, the View button, drag-and-drop, and keyboard shortcuts to select all or specific files. For more information, please refer to our Getting Started with Files Redesign guide and 13 minute video tutorial.
Summer 2025 Canvas Courses
Summer 2025 Canvas courses are currently available on Canvas. If your course is listed on Axess and you are listed as the instructor of record, but do not see the course on Canvas, please contact canvashelp@stanford.edu.