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FAQ: Profile Pictures in Canvas

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Functional GroupAcademic Technologies
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Table of Contents:

 

Do I have to add a profile picture to Canvas?

The Office of General Counsel and the University Technology Office have determined that ASU instructors cannot require students to upload their profile pictures to Canvas. However, please note that students, including online and extended campus students, are still required to upload a photo to their Sun Card (ASU’s ID Card) as laid out in PUR 703 .  You can upload a Sun Card photo here!
 

How do I add a profile picture to Canvas?

1. In ASU Canvas, click the 'Account' icon via the Global Navigation Menu on the far-left edge of your screen, then choose 'Settings' from the sub-menu.
2. Click the profile picture icon (i.e., the gray generic avatar image next to your name). 
Screenshot: Canvas Profile Picture icon next to name.

Method #1: Upload directly from your computer

On the Upload a Picture tab,

Drag-and-drop a picture from your local computer into the browser, OR

Click Upload a Picture, then Choose a Picture to browse for a photo and Open it within the browser.
Screenshot: Canvas Profile Picture upload tab.
Crop or resize your picture as needed, then click Save when finished.
 

Method #2: Take a picture using your webcam

NOTEThis option is not supported in Safari or Internet Explorer.
On the Take a Picture tab, click the Take Picture button.
Screenshot: Canvas Profile Picture webcam tab.
Like your photo? Hit Save!
Want to try again? Click Retry!
 

Tips for Profile Pictures (from Canvas Community and ASU Sun Card Office)

  • Please choose an appropriate picture to represent yourself. Your institution has the right to remove pictures that are not appropriate for a classroom setting.
  • Images should be square in size to prevent your picture from being resized or distorted.
  • Files can be any type (.jpg, .png, .gif) or size as long as you have room in your personal files to store the file. Canvas recommends that your profile picture be as small as possible.
  • Your personal files quota is enforced when uploading a profile picture. If you do not have enough storage space in your personal files, you will not be able to upload your profile picture. Create more space by removing some files in your personal files.
SU Sun Card Photo Tips (good contrast, no filters, no hats/sunglasses, good crop with face centered, plain white background, not a self portrait or goofy expression).
NOTE: ASU limits user (personal) file storage in Canvas to 52.4 MB per user.  If additional storage space is required, you can use your ASU Google Drive instead (make sure you are logged into your asurite@asu.edu account, as opposed to a personal / non-ASU Gmail account).

Explicit, copyrighted, and otherwise inappropriate materials will not be permitted. All images are subject to ASU’s Computing Policy which prohibits “Infringing upon the copyright, trademark, patent, or other intellectual property rights of others” and the Student Code of Conduct.
To report an inappropriate image, please follow the steps below.
 

How do I change my profile picture in Canvas?

Canvas will automatically replace your profile image when you upload a new one! If you would prefer to delete your previous one, please follow the steps below.
 

How do I remove my profile picture from Canvas?

1. In ASU Canvas, click the 'Account' icon via the Global Navigation Menu on the far-left edge of your screen, then choose 'Files' from the sub-menu.
Screenshot: Canvas Account link on Global Navigation bar. .....Screenshot: Files link on account settings page.
2. Click the folder labeled “profile pictures”. 
3. Hover over the name of the photo you wish to remove. On the far right, next to the green checkmark, click the three vertical dots that appear. Select Delete, then click OK on the pop-up to confirm that you wish to delete the image from your Canvas user (personal) files.
Screenshot: Options menu with "Delete" selected.
 

How do I report inappropriate profile pictures in Canvas?

Clicking on a user's image will bring you to their profile. You can report their image by clicking the flag icon that appears when you hover over their profile picture.
Screenshot: Canvas Profile Picture with flag symbol.

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