Turnitin Enabled Meaning: What "Originality Report Enabled" Means
If your assignment says "Turnitin enabled", "Plagiarism Review: Turnitin" or "originality report enabled", your submission will be checked automatically when you upload it. Here is what that setting does, what happens to your file, and when you get to see the report.
Turnitin enabled meaning, in one line
"Turnitin enabled" means your submission will automatically get a Turnitin similarity report, and possibly an AI writing report for your instructor. It does not mean you are suspected of anything; every submission to that assignment is checked the same way.
What "originality report enabled" means
Your instructor has connected the assignment to Turnitin. When you submit:
- Your file is sent to Turnitin.
- Turnitin compares it with internet sources, publications and previously submitted student papers.
- A similarity report, the old "originality report", is created, usually within minutes.
- If your institution has AI detection switched on, an AI writing report is created for your instructor too.
Will you see the originality report?
That depends on one setting your instructor chooses. In Canvas the options are:
| Setting | When you see your report |
|---|---|
| Immediately | As soon as it is generated |
| After the Due Date | Once the deadline passes |
| After the Assignment is Graded | When your grade is released |
| Never | Not at all |
Moodle, Blackboard and Brightspace have equivalent settings. If you see no percentage beside your submission, the setting is probably "Never" or a later release.
What happens to your file
- Repository storage. Most assignments save your paper so future papers can be checked against it. That is why a draft you submitted earlier can match your final version.
- No repository. Some instructors choose not to store papers. Ask if you are unsure.
Things to know before submitting
- Canvas Text Entry: typed text of 20 or more words is checked; files attached inside the text editor are not.
- Resubmissions: after more than three, new reports wait 24 hours.
- File limits: one file, at least 20 words, under 100 MB and 800 pages.
- AI score: usually instructor-only.
What gets generated when Turnitin is enabled
Both screenshots below come from the same 24-page, 6,364-word paper. The similarity report found 1% overall similarity. The AI writing report flagged 51% of the qualifying text as likely AI-generated. Tap either one to see it full size.
Screenshots shown for illustration. Your own reports arrive as full PDFs in your dashboard.
Want to see the report before your instructor does? A pre-check gives you both reports without using an attempt or storing your paper. Also see how Turnitin generates a report and how to view it on Canvas.
Frequently asked questions
What does Turnitin enabled mean on an assignment?
Your submission will be checked by Turnitin automatically and a similarity report will be created for your instructor.
Will I see the originality report?
Only if your instructor allows it. In Canvas the options are immediately, after the due date, after grading, or never.
Is my paper stored when Turnitin is enabled?
Usually yes, in your institution's or Turnitin's student paper repository, unless your instructor chose no repository.
What does Turnitin enabled mean?
Your submission will automatically get a Turnitin similarity report, and often an AI writing report for your instructor. Every submission to that assignment is checked the same way.