> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.timelygrader.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.timelygrader.ai/canvas-support-articles/assignments/importing-or-creating-an-assignment.md).

# Importing or Creating an Assignment

Import an assignment from Canvas or create an assignment from scratch.

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2F2fxvIUk6kO5NV6YbNqZ3%2Farticle-banner.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
TimelyGrader assignments are tied to the **Assignments** in Canvas. Quizzes are imported separately, from the **Quizzes** page in the sidebar; see [Setting up quizzes](/user-guides-get-started-here/quizzes-guide.md).
{% endhint %}

## Importing an assignment from Canvas

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Click Import

On the Assignments page, click the **Import** button in the top right corner.

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2F0R6saNq0tl7muZI0cBNR%2FScreenshot%202026-10-13%20at%209.22.17%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&amp;token=e872e6dd-1b65-4740-85e5-e0b35eca8141" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select an assignment

Choose the Canvas assignment you want to import, then click **Import**. Its name, description and rubric (if any) come across with the import.

<figure><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/655ce9ef982243b960228317/6a6b85903e3b19cd898652b8_5aa9b53d.png" alt="Selecting a Canvas assignment to import"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Check the mandatory fields

In **Description & Settings**, the only two mandatory items are the **Assignment Description** and the **Rubric**. Both usually will be imported from Canvas. If you don't have a rubric on the Canvas assignment, we will ask you to add one. You can also tell TimelyGrader what type of submission to expect and change the citation format.

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2FQ8MR29VUIEl4dFbsynQl%2FScreenshot%202026-10-13%20at%2011.13.30%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&amp;token=7e56721a-0a47-4ea9-bd72-7d30b03cee99" alt="Description and rubric in Description &#x26; Settings"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
If no rubric came over from Canvas, create one in TimelyGrader manually, or use our **Rubric Generator**. \
\
When you save or publish, the Rubric Passback pop-up asks whether to sync the rubric back to Canvas. If you decline, the pass back will only return the overall grade without criterion specific grades and all feedback will be placed in the Comments box instead of for each criterion.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/655ce9ef982243b960228317/6a6b85903e3b19cd898652be_b3a89353.png" alt="The Rubric Passback pop-up"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %} <img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2Fms2lmbcFJs7XOGunUDRn%2Fhugo-head.svg?alt=media" alt="Hugo" data-size="line"> **Hugo’s tip:** Already set up a similar assignment? Use **Import Assignment Settings** to bring its description, rubric and settings across. See [Reusing settings from other assignments](/user-guides-get-started-here/reuse-assignment-settings.md).
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Review the setup sections

Everything else is optional. Setup is split into sections, and each starts from your defaults in **Settings → Preferences** (if you already set it up):

* **Description & Settings:** description, rubric, expected submission type and citation format.
* **Grading Settings:** turn Grading Suggestions on or off and add general or criterion-specific instructions. See [Advanced: Customizing Grading](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/customizing-grading.md).
* **Feedback Settings:** the structure, tone and language level of feedback. See [Advanced: Customizing Feedback](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/customizing-feedback.md).
* **Formative Feedback Settings:** whether students can open the assignment and get feedback on their drafts, and how.
* **Inline Comment Settings:** how inline comments on the student’s text are created.

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2F6lSOGLwcQVYmTubnEbRU%2FScreenshot%202026-10-13%20at%203.00.10%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&amp;token=6629ebc2-cada-4550-be5e-eec101ec8e93" alt="Assignment setup settings"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Your institution may have turned off Grading Suggestions. If so, you can’t turn them back on yourself; contact your administrator.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Save or publish

If the setup isn’t final, don't hit **Publish**. Any edits you make will be auto saved. Any un-published assignments will stay as **Drafts**. Once you are ready to publish, hit the button and you are good to go!

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2F0A9AwcTXUhG4HvXvFKFV%2FScreenshot%202026-10-13%20at%209.18.45%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&amp;token=10e358c3-2d2f-41cc-9c24-2bc2aa156c19" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
You can save a draft without completing every required field. To allow students to see assignments, they must be published. This will be relevant if you enabled Formative Feedback for Students.&#x20;
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Creating an assignment from scratch

This assignment is created in TimelyGrader and isn’t linked to Canvas, so submissions are uploaded rather than imported and grades aren’t pushed back.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Create a new assignment

On the Assignments page, click **Create** in the top right corner.

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2F0R6saNq0tl7muZI0cBNR%2FScreenshot%202026-10-13%20at%209.22.17%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&amp;token=e872e6dd-1b65-4740-85e5-e0b35eca8141" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Add the mandatory items

Add an **Assignment Description** and a **Rubric**. You can write the rubric yourself or have the Rubric Generator create one from your description; see [Creating Rubrics on TimelyGrader](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/creating-rubrics.md).

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2FQ8MR29VUIEl4dFbsynQl%2FScreenshot%202026-10-13%20at%2011.13.30%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&amp;token=7e56721a-0a47-4ea9-bd72-7d30b03cee99" alt="Description and rubric in Description &#x26; Settings"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Review the setup sections

Grading, Feedback, Formative Feedback and Inline Comment Settings start from your defaults in **Settings → Preferences**.&#x20;
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Save or publish

If the setup isn’t final, don't hit **Publish**. Any edits you make will be auto saved. Any un-published assignments will stay as **Drafts**. Once you are ready to publish, hit the button and you are good to go!
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## After setup

You may want to calibrate grading further so for more accurate suggestions, add a content bank and tune your Grading and Feedback Settings:

* [Advanced: Creating a Content Bank](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/content-bank.md)
* [Advanced: Customizing Grading](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/customizing-grading.md)
* [Advanced: Customizing Feedback](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/customizing-feedback.md)

## Related articles

* [How We Handle New Submissions](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/new-submissions.md)
* [How We Handle Unsupported Files](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/unsupported-files.md)
* [Creating Rubrics on TimelyGrader](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/creating-rubrics.md)