Topics Map > Canvas

Canvas - Changing Your Displayed Name or Email Address [UW-Madison]

Canvas, and many other systems on campus, uses your name in use (previously called preferred name). This is set in MyUW.

All NetID holders may designate a name in use, which is used by most university systems. 

For more information on name in use, see Name and birthdate in UW records from the Office of the Registrar.

Using a name in use is entirely optional. However, if you designate a name in use in MyUW, your UW-Madison name in use will appear in Learn@UW tools. Therefore, when you select a preferred name in MyUW, your first name in use (as well as your legal last name) will be visible to students, TAs, and instructors on these sites:

  • Canvas
  • Third-Party platforms integrated with Canvas:
    • Kaltura Mediaspace
    • Piazza

 If you don't designate a name in use, your legal name will appear on these sites.

To enter or change a name in use, see  MyUW Madison - Update Name in Use (Preferred Name) .

Canvas users are unable to change their display name from directly within Canvas. Instead, if you wish to change your display name, you'll need to access MyUW and modify your personal information.

To change your preferred email address in Canvas, see: How do I change my default email address in my user account as a student or as an instructor? (Canvas Community)


Keywords:
canvas name names preferred LMS learning management system first last classlist people legal nickname account display displayed my uw myuw policy email in use 
Doc ID:
66003
Owned by:
Learn@UW Madison in Learn@UW
Created:
2016-08-11
Updated:
2026-01-20
Sites:
DoIT Help Desk, Learn@UW