You can excuse an assignment for a student in a course without penalizing the student through the gradebook or SpeedGrader.

1. Click the gradebook

2. Click the corresponding cell beside the student 

3. Enter EX

4.  Click return

5. You will see EX in the box

The assignment has now been excused for the student. Canvas will average the student's other grades and not include the excused graded activity.  Students can view their excused status on the assignments submission page or when they view the grades page. Students can be excused from all graded activities (quizzes and discussions)