Canvas, Access the Design Tools Sidebar with Keyboard Shortcut
This article describes how you can activate the Design Tools Sidebar when editing content in your Canvas course.
Overview
The Design Tools Sidebar is part of the DesignPLUS integration with Canvas. Any user with permission to edit content in Canvas sites will have access to this tool, but it must first be turned on with a keyboard shortcut when you want to use it.
How to Use the Keyboard Shortcut to Access the Design Tools Sidebar
The Design Tools Sidebar is available only when editing content (like editing a page, discussion description, etc.). To enable this tool, you'll need to use one of the following shortcuts:
- PC Keyboard Shortcut: Alt + Shift + D
- Mac Keyboard Shortcut: Option + Shift + D
After entering the shortcut, you will see the Design Tools Sidebar expand on the right side like the screenshot below.
Why isn't this turned on by default?
We do not have the Design Tools Sidebar available by default because this tool was added during the middle of the Fall 2022 semester. To prevent confusion, we’re requiring keyboard shortcut activation at least the first time the tool is accessed. If you plan to use the Design Tools Sidebar frequently, you can adjust your user settings to automatically launch the tool with the following instructions: Canvas, Automatically Launch Design Tools Sidebar.
Please note: DesignPLUS is expected to receive an update sometime within the next year pending beta testing over the next few months. We will update documentation and communicate this change once a date is set.