Canvas @ Yale

Activating a Canvas User Account

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Users who need access to Canvas @ Yale are given a Canvas User account, which provides you with a Yale NetID that you can use to log into Yale's instance of Canvas.

Before a Canvas User can sign into Canvas @ Yale, you must activate your NetID, create a password, provide a recovery email, and set-up your Multi-Factor Authentication(MFA) with DUO, which is Yale's MFA provider.

Troubleshooting

  • If you are experiencing an issue with activating your Canvas User account please reach out to [email protected] for support.
  • You can request bypass codes for DUO if you are not getting the SMS text message / push notification to authenticate.
    • Requesting a bypass code through the Help Desk will require you to prove your identity in an alternative format.
  • Avoid using phone numbers for your DUO authentication that come from wifi-messaging systems like WhatsApp.
    • Your notification for DUO will come through as an SMS text message, which WhatsApp does not support.

Table of Contents

This article will address the following information:

Video Tutorial on Activation

Activating Canvas User Account

  1. Navigate to Yale's "Activate Your NetID" page to begin the activation process.
  2. From the options presented, select the "Faculty, Staff, or Sponsored Identity" radio button.
  3. Click the "Next" button.
  1. Enter your 8-character PIN number in the provided field.
  2. Provide your Birth Date information in the provided field.
  3. When ready, click the "Next" button.

If you do not know your PIN number, please contact the person who put in the request for your Canvas User account, or contact the ITS Help Desk: [email protected]

If you are the person who requested a Canvas account for a user, you can use this NetID Activation Pin Request form for your user so a new activation pin is generated for them.

NOTE: This request form requires you to CAS in and cannot be completed by the user who is attempting to have their NetID activated.

  1. On the following page, type your non-Yale email in the two provided fields.
  2. When ready, click the "Next" button.

Canvas User Sponsored Identity accounts do not get provisioned Yale email addresses. It is recommended that you use a personal email.

  1. Create and input your new NetID Password in the two provided fields.
    1. You will not be able to proceed until your NetID password meets the password strength criteria outlined below.
  2. When done, click the "Next" button.

Note that your NetID password must meet the following complexity requirements:

  • Between 8-127 characters
  • Use diverse composition of alpha, numeric, and special characters
  • Cannot contain the following characters: <  >  &  \  ,  "  '  :
  1. The Canvas User account NetID is now active.
    1. Before you can log into Canvas, you must first set-up your DUO account for Multi-factor Authentication and verify your Recovery Email Address, which are outlined in the sections below.

Verify Recovery Email Address

Failure to verify your recovery email address will result in not being able to recover / reset your Canvas User Sponsored Identity password and potentially not receive Canvas notification emails.

  1. Upon successfully activating your Canvas User account NetID, the email you provided in the activation process will be emailed. Check your personal email inbox.
    1. Click the "Verify Email Address" button in the email received.

This automatic email will have the Subject line: Your NetID is active - Please verify your recovery email

This automatic email will come from the sender: [email protected]

  1. A new browser window will open and and say "Recovery Email Verified."
  1. An additional confirmation email will come in stating your email has been verified.

Setting Up DUO for Multi-factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a second layer of security to your online accounts and is a required component of Yale digital security. Verifying your identity using a second factor (like your phone or other mobile device) prevents anyone but you from logging in, even if they know your password.

For more information on Yale's use of DUO, please see the following page on setting up Multi-factor Authentication.

For more information on Multi-factor Authentication in general, check out DUO's support guide.

Troubleshooting

  • You can request bypass codes for DUO if you are not getting the SMS text message / push notification to authenticate through DUO.
    • Requesting a bypass code through the Help Desk will require you to prove your identity in an alternative format.
  • Avoid using phone numbers for your DUO authentication that come from wifi-messaging systems like WhatsApp.
    • Your notification for DUO will come through as an SMS text message, which WhatsApp does not support.
  1. Upon successfully activating your Canvas User account NetID, click the "Manage DUO Devices" button to start the process of setting up DUO.
  1. On the following page, click the "Launch DUO Device Manager" button.
    1. DUO will detect you have no enrolled devices and begin the enrollment process.

If you navigated away from the NetID activation page and need to return to set up DUO, use this URL: mfa.its.yale.edu

  1. Follow the on-screen instructions in the DUO Device Manager to complete the setup.

Logging into Canvas @ Yale with your Activated Canvas User Account

  1. Navigate to the Canvas @ Yale login page and click the "NetID" button for the Log into Canvas option.
    1. Input your Canvas User account NetID and password into their respective fields.
    2. Approve the DUO authentication request that comes through.
  1. For the first time accessing Canvas @ Yale, you will be prompted to agree to the Acceptable Use Policy. Read and check the "I agree to the Acceptable Use Policy" box.
  2. Click the "Submit" button.
  1. Once submitted you will be brought to your Canvas Dashboard where you can navigate and access the Canvas course sites that you are enrolled in.
    1. Consider updating your Canvas Notification Preferences to customize what emails you receive to keep you informed on updates in the Canvas course sites you are enrolled in.

Note that your Canvas course enrollment may take 1-2 business days to update if you are newly registered for a course. If you are not seeing a Canvas course site that you believe you should have access to, please reach out to the course facilitator, or the school / department that is administering the course.

Troubleshooting

  • If you are experiencing an issue with activating your Canvas User account please reach out to [email protected] for support.
  • You can request bypass codes for DUO if you are not getting the SMS text message / push notification to authenticate.
    • Requesting a bypass code through the Help Desk will require you to prove your identity in an alternative format.
  • Avoid using phone numbers for your DUO authentication that come from wifi-messaging systems like WhatsApp.
    • Your notification for DUO will come through as an SMS text message, which WhatsApp does not support.

For more help with activating your Canvas User Sponsored Identity, please email [email protected].

For more help with Canvas, please email [email protected].

For additional support using Canvas @ Yale, please check out our other support documentation.

Previous Article Canvas @ Yale Local Guest Account Deactivation and Regaining Account Access
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