How to Act As Another User in Canvas

How to Act As Another User in Canvas

Overview

This guide describes how an administrator user can assume the view and permissions of another user in Canvas — for example to troubleshoot or verify what the other user sees.
Use this only when authorised, given the privacy implications.

Steps to Enable Controlled Progression in Canvas

Step 1: Log in to Canvas as your admin account.

Step 2: Navigate to the Account (or sub-account) where the user is enrolled (Via Admin section).

Step 3: Go to People (or Users) list to find the user you want to act as.

  1. Search by name or login ID

Step 4: On that user’s row, locate the context menu / options and click “Act as User” (or the similar wording in your Canvas version).


Step 5: Confirm the action. Canvas will open a new browser tab/window where you are viewing the system as if you are that user. 


Step 6: While acting as the user:

  1. Navigate to their Dashboard, Courses, Grades, Files, etc — you will see exactly what they see (subject to permissions).

  2. Perform any troubleshooting needed (for example: Accessing Loree via their access).

Step 7: When you finish, end the “Act as” session — Canvas usually shows a banner indicating you are acting as someone, and you should click “End acting as user” to return to your normal admin view.


Notes
GIF Tutorial: Acting As Another User: