Here is a video showing how Canvas Integration with CoGrader works on a School plan (Canvas Integration is only available on School plans. If you don't have a school plan, there is a manual workaround). You can follow along step by step or refer to the written instructions below.
Step 1: Import Submissions from Canvas
Open CoGrader.
Click Create New Assignment.
Choose Import from Canvas.
Log in using your Canvas credentials if prompted.
Browse your Canvas classes and select the class you want to import, then select the assignment under that class. CoGrader will automatically pull in the assignment prompt.
Set up your rubric. If your assignment already has a rubric attached in Canvas, you can recreate or import that rubric in CoGrader. See the steps on adding a rubric - HERE
Add Grading Parameters and Advanced Rules as desired
Best setup for smooth imports:
Assignments must be created in Canvas as File Upload submissions.
Supported file types include:
.docx(Word documents)PDFs
Images (JPG, PNG)
Photos of handwritten work
Typed text entered directly in Canvas
These formats allow CoGrader to automatically import student work and pair it with your grading rubric.
Note: Assignments created using Google Drive, OneDrive, or other cloud integrations can’t be accessed automatically by CoGrader. If your students used these formats, see the Manual Upload workaround.
Step 2: Let CoGrader Grade
Once your assignment and rubric are set, click Import and grade.
CoGrader will evaluate each submission based on your rubric.
You can review to make edits, add comments, or use the chat to revise the feedback. See steps on how to do that - HERE
Click Approve for each submission when you're satisfied.
Step 3: Export Feedback Back to Canvas
Once all submissions are approved, go to your assignment dashboard in CoGrader.
Click Export.
Choose Send to Canvas. (You also have the option of downloading as a PDF, CSV, or printing all)
CoGrader will automatically attach each student’s feedback PDF to their original submission in Canvas.
See steps on how to export feedback - HERE
Step 4: View Feedback in SpeedGrader
Open your Canvas assignment.
Launch SpeedGrader.
You’ll see each student’s feedback PDF attached to their submission.
Assignments Created Using External Tools (LTIs)
If a Canvas assignment is set up as an External Tool (LTI), CoGrader can’t import the student work. These tools embed the activity inside Canvas and don’t create a Canvas submission for CoGrader to read.
Example of an LTI assignment setup:
Troubleshooting Export Errors in Canvas
If you see an Export Error next to one or more students after clicking Send to Canvas, follow these steps:
Allow multiple submission attempts
In Canvas, go to your assignment Settings and set Allowed Attempts to Unlimited.
This prevents export errors when students resubmit or when CoGrader tries to update feedback for a previously graded submission.
Several teachers have found that this resolves the issue entirely.
Retry Export
The export should complete successfully.
Check the Canvas “Assign Access” Dates
Another common reason for export errors comes from the Assign Access section in Canvas assignment settings.
This section includes the following date fields:
Due Date
Available From
Until
If your export attempt happens outside of these time windows, CoGrader will display an error message, such as:
“Please check the Available From field in the Canvas Assignment Assign Access Settings.”
This means that the current date or time falls outside of the assignment’s active range in Canvas.
To fix this:
Open your Canvas assignment settings.
Scroll to the Assign Access section.
Make sure the Available From, Until, and Due Date fields include the date and time when you’re exporting.
Save your changes and try exporting again.
This same logic applies whether the issue is before the Available From date, after the Until date, or past the Due Date. Adjusting these boundaries will allow CoGrader to export feedback successfully.
Manual Uploads (For Drive-Based Assignments)
If your Canvas assignment was created through Google Drive, OneDrive, or another cloud-based tool, CoGrader won’t be able to fetch or return files automatically.
To grade these:
Manually upload the student files to CoGrader using the Google Drive upload button if it is a Google Drive assignment.
Grade using the same rubric workflow.
Export feedback via Print, PDF, or CSV (the “Send to Canvas” option will be unavailable).
This ensures all student work can still be graded within CoGrader, even if automatic integration isn’t possible.
You can use the manual Canvas grading workflow below if you encounter issues with the Canvas Integration.