How to update student name in Roster

Question

Is there a way to update a student's name on the Roster/People View of the course?

Context: I use a Free For Teachers account. When I uploaded the roster, I used the student's email address. For some reason, once they were logged in, their names are displayed as a series of numbers and letters. This is across multiple pages. Please see screenshot for details. Thank you, Canvas Gawds!

Screenshot 2025-05-28 at 7.36.52 PM.png

Chris · Accepted Answer

Hi @MarqHardon,

Unfortunately, I don't think teachers have any control over of names in the free-for-teacher Canvas instance (Canvas usually limits this functionality to administrators by design).  I believe you'd need to have each of your students go to their own account -> settings area and change their name on their own at this point, as support options with the free-for-teacher instance are somewhat limited in a scenario like this.  Someone else can chime in if I'm wrong about this though.

-Chris

NoahBoswell · Accepted Answer

Hi there @MarqHardon ,

Thank you for posting on the Instructure Community!

In free for teacher, the only person that can change the name of your student's account is your student that has access to the account. Account Admin permissions are required to edit the user details of other users, and since free for teacher does not provide you with access to admin permissions, you will need your student to edit their name for you. You can also reach out to Canvas Support, however for a simple matter like this, I don't find that necessary.

Upon your student updating their name via their account settings, the name will be updated automatically on your roster. I recommend checking out this link for more assistance, if needed https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Troubleshooting/Updating-my-displayed-name-in-Canvas/ta-p/853

Best,
Noah