How do I use my Canvas Inbox?

Canvas has an Inbox which is a communication tool similar to email. It is important for you to check your Inbox regularly to receive important communication from your instructor, your peers or administrators. The following instructions pertain to Inbox on a computer and then on a mobile device.

Computer

You can find the Inbox in the left navigation under Account, Dashboard, Courses and Calendar. If the Inbox shows a number on top of the icon, it is showing the number of new messages you have not yet read.

Inbox icon from main navigation panel in Canvas showing 16 unread messages

The Toolbar
Once inside Inbox, look for the toolbar. It gives gives 9 options:

Filter your messages by course or group
Filter your messages by type (Inbox, Unread, Starred, Sent, Archived, and Submission Comments)
Search of conversations by user
Compose a new message
Reply to a conversation
Reply-all to a conversation
Archive a conversation
Delete a conversation
Forward, mark a conversation as read or unread, and star conversations

Inbox toolbar with numbers that correspond to the list above.

Managing Messages

Message previews are found on the left side of the Inbox. If you click on a message preview, it will open the full message on the right side of the Inbox.

Use the toolbar to filter, respond, and/or delete messages if needed.

Inbox interface shows message previews on the left and message details on the right.

Contacting Your Instructor

Select the third option in the toolbar to "Compose a New Message." A pop-up window will appear that will allow you to choose which course you want from a dropdown.

Course dropdown within the Compose Message popup.

After selecting the course, you will need to find the person you want to send your message to. Click on the address book. This will bring up another dropdown with three categories: "Teachers," "Students," and "Course Sections." Click on "Teachers" and select the name of your instructor.

Address Book icon creates a dropdown within the Compose Message popup.

You can then choose a subject line and write the remainder of your email to your instructor.

Mobile

You can find the Inbox in the bottom navigation. If the Inbox shows a number on top of the icon, it is showing the number of new messages you have not yet read.

Bottom Icon strip of mobile app.

Once you tap it, you will see messages.

Tap on a message to read it.
Inside the message, click the tree dot icon to reveal options.

Screenshots showing a portion of the Inbox mail queue and a message with reply, reply all, forward, delete, and cancel options.

Contacting Your Instructor
Tap the + button to create a new message.

Select the course you are in.
Select the teacher of your course

Screenshots showing the course selection button on a new message as well as the teacher selection button.

The name of your instructor will appear on the new message. You may then complete the message and send.

Screenshots showing the course selection button on a new message as well as the teacher selection button.