2-Way Sync: Assignments & Completion between Canvas LMS and Notion

This n8n workflow facilitates a two-way synchronization of assignments and their completion status between Canvas LMS and Notion. It ensures that changes in one platform are reflected in the other, streamlining task management for students or educators.

What it does

1. Listens for Canvas Webhooks: The workflow is triggered by an incoming webhook from Canvas LMS, indicating a change related to assignments or submissions.
2. Fetches Canvas Assignments: It makes an HTTP request to the Canvas API to retrieve assignment details, likely based on the webhook payload.
3. Fetches Notion Database Entries: It queries a Notion database to get existing assignment entries, which are then compared with the Canvas data.
4. Compares Datasets: The workflow uses the Compare Datasets node to identify new assignments, updated assignments, or completed assignments by comparing the Canvas data with the Notion data.
5. Filters for New Assignments: If new assignments are found in Canvas that don't exist in Notion, they are processed.
6. Creates Notion Pages for New Assignments: For each new Canvas assignment, a new page (representing the assignment) is created in the specified Notion database.
7. Filters for Updated Assignments: If assignments are updated in Canvas (e.g., due date, description), these changes are identified.
8. Updates Notion Pages for Assignments: The corresponding Notion pages are updated with the latest information from Canvas.
9. Filters for Completed Assignments: When an assignment is marked as completed in Canvas, this status change is detected.
10. Updates Notion Page Completion Status: The Notion page for the completed assignment is updated to reflect its completion status.
11. Schedules Regular Sync (Optional/Placeholder): A Schedule Trigger node is present, suggesting the possibility of a periodic sync to catch any changes not captured by webhooks or to ensure data consistency.
12. Handles Notion Updates (Implicit): Although not explicitly detailed in the provided JSON, the presence of a Merge node and multiple HTTP Request and Notion nodes implies that changes initiated in Notion could also trigger updates back to Canvas, completing the two-way sync. The If node likely directs flow based on whether the change originated from Canvas or Notion.

Prerequisites/Requirements

• n8n Instance: A running n8n instance.
• Canvas LMS Account: With API access enabled and webhook configured to send events to the n8n webhook URL.
• Notion Account: With an integration created and access granted to the relevant database(s) for assignments.
• Notion API Key: For authentication with the Notion API.
• Canvas API Token: For authentication with the Canvas LMS API.

Setup/Usage

1. Import the Workflow: Import the provided JSON into your n8n instance.
2. Configure Webhook:
   • Activate the Webhook node.
   • Copy the webhook URL.
   • In your Canvas LMS settings, configure a webhook to send assignment and submission events to this URL.
3. Configure Credentials:
   • Set up your Notion API Key credential in n8n.
   • Set up your Canvas API Token credential for the HTTP Request nodes.
4. Configure Notion Nodes:
   • In the Notion nodes, specify the Database ID where your assignments are stored.
   • Ensure the properties and their types in your Notion database match what the workflow expects (e.g., "Assignment Name", "Due Date", "Completion Status").
5. Configure HTTP Request Nodes:
   • Update the HTTP Request nodes with your Canvas LMS base URL and the correct API endpoints for fetching assignments and updating submission status.
6. Configure Compare Datasets and Filter Nodes:
   • Adjust the key fields in the Compare Datasets node to accurately match Canvas assignment IDs with Notion page IDs or unique identifiers.
   • Review and adjust the conditions in the If and Filter nodes to match your specific data structures and synchronization logic.
7. Activate the Workflow: Once configured, activate the workflow to start the synchronization.
8. Schedule Trigger (Optional): If you intend to use the Schedule Trigger for periodic full syncs, configure its interval (e.g., every hour, daily).