How to Cross-list Sections in Canvas

Manage Multiple Sections from a Single Canvas Course

Watch: How to Cross-list Course Sections (Video: 9 min)

What is it?

Cross-listing is a Canvas feature that allows you to move section enrollments from separate course shells into one primary course. This allows you to manage content, assignments, grades, and communication in a single location. It is commonly used when you teach multiple sections of the same course and want one central course site. Section names do not change when they are cross-listed; the section is simply moved into another course.

Why is it important?

Cross-listing reduces duplicate work when you teach multiple sections of the same course. Instead of posting announcements, grading assignments, and updating content in several separate courses, you can manage those tasks from the parent course while maintaining the individual sections.

You can also choose whether students can view users in other sections or only users in their own section. Cross-listing should be completed before courses are published. Coursework remains with the course, not with the section enrollment, so cross-listing after students have submitted work can result in the loss of access to associated submissions and grades.

Before You Begin

• Identify the parent course, which is normally the course containing the content.
• Open the parent course and any sections you want to cross-list in separate browser tabs.
• Conversations created before cross-listing may no longer allow replies after the section is moved.

Cross-list the Course Sections

Identify the Parent Course

1. Open all courses involved in separate browser tabs.
2. Place the parent course first, followed by the additional section or sections.
3. In the parent course, locate the Course ID at the end of the browser URL.
4. Copy the Course ID. Think of it like a license plate: it is unique to that Canvas course.

Open the Section You Want to Cross-list

1. Switch to the course containing the section you want to move into the parent course.
2. From Course Navigation, select Settings.
3. Select the Sections tab.
4. Select the linked name of the section you want to cross-list.

Cross-list the Section

1. Select Cross-List this Section on the upper-right side of the page.
2. Paste the Course ID you copied from the parent course.
3. Canvas will usually populate the course associated with that ID. If it does not, type the name of the parent course.
4. Select the populated course title.
5. Confirm that the correct course appears under Selected Course.
6. Select Cross-List This Section.

Canvas will display a confirmation message indicating that the section was successfully cross-listed.

Correct a Cross-listing Mistake

If you selected the wrong course, Canvas provides options to undo or change the cross-listing.

• Select De-Cross-List this Section to undo the cross-listing.
• Select Re-Cross-List this Section if you need to move the section to another course.

Update the Parent Course (Often Overlooked)

Update the Course Name and Course Code

1. Return to the parent course.
2. Select Settings.
3. Edit the Course Name so it reflects the sections that have been combined.
4. Update the Course Code to include both section identifiers so students can easily confirm they are in the correct course.

Save the Changes

1. Scroll to the bottom of the page, if needed.
2. Select Update Course Details.

Verify the Cross-listing

Confirm the Sections

1. Go to Settings > Sections.
2. Confirm that all expected sections appear in the parent course.
3. Canvas will also show the course from which a cross-listed section originated.

Confirm the Course Title

1. Select Home.
2. Confirm that the course title reflects the sections you intended to combine.

Need Additional Help?

If you need assistance with cross-listing or another teaching and learning topic, select Help at the bottom of the Canvas Global Navigation menu. From there, you can submit a support ticket or schedule a one-on-one consultation.