Get started with Canva Docs

Canva Docs is a visual-first document creator that allows you to design documents with videos, images, graphics, charts, and graphs. Learn more on how you can create impactful documents below.

Creating Docs

1. From the homepage banner, select the  Docs tab.
2. Choose from the available doc templates or start with a blank doc.

Editing Docs

Adding text

Computer

1. Click on your page and type / to open the Quick actions shortcut, or click the  plus icon next to your text cursor.
2. Depending on what you need, search for  Heading,  Subheading, or  Body.
3. To add it to your doc, select it from the options.

 

You’ll also find options to change font and formatting, text alignment, lists, and line spacing.

Indent your text by placing your cursor at the start of a sentence or paragraph and selecting the Indent button from the toolbar. You can also indent text by pressing Tab on your keyboard.

Mobile

1. Tap on your page to start typing.
2. To use headings, subheading, and body text sizes, select  Text styles from the bottom editor toolbar.

Edit Images in Docs

Edit images on your Docs with the Canva photo editor. Check the Canva photo editor to learn how.

Please note that Magic Grab is not yet available in Docs.

Adding elements

Add headings, tables, lists, charts, embeds, and other elements to your document.

 

Computer

1. Type / or click the  plus icon on the side of the doc.
2. Search for what you want to add to your doc or select from the available options.

You can also add content from our libraries by clicking the different tabs on the editor side panel

For now, you can only have one element per line on Canva Docs.

Mobile

1. On the bottom corner of the screen, tap the  plus button.
2. Add content from our libraries by tapping on the different tabs at the bottom of the editor.

You can align them by selecting the element and repeatedly clicking the editor toolbar's alignment icon. You can choose between  Centre,  Left, or  Right Align.

Resize elements in Docs

You can resize elements, photos, videos, tables, charts, and embeds up to the full width of the page. Learn how to resize and crop elements.

 

Lost for words or looking for some creative inspiration? Try using Magic Write to brainstorm new ideas and write anything in seconds.

Adding design blocks

Add custom headers or diagrams to your document using design blocks.

 

Computer

1. Go to the  Templates tab.
2. Select a header or diagram template to add to your design.

You can also type /Design on your document to create your own design block.

To edit a design block, select it, then select Edit design from the toolbar.

Mobile

1. On the bottom corner of the screen, tap the  plus button.
2. Go to the  Templates tab.
3. Select a header or diagram template to add to your design.

To edit a design block, select it, then tap  Edit design from the toolbar.

 

Adding highlight blocks

Highlight text using pre-styled highlight blocks for notes, information, and warnings.

Computer

 

 

1. On the editor side panel, select  Elements.
2. From here, you’ll see Highlight blocks. Select See all to view all available highlight blocks.
3. Select a highlight block. Add a title and body text.

Mobile

1. On the toolbar, tap  Elements.
2. From here, you’ll see Highlight blocks. Tap See all to view all available highlight blocks.
3. Select a highlight block. Add a title and body text.

 

Adding dropdown options

Create your custom dropdowns or choose from our presets. As of now, saving custom dropdowns as a preset isn’t available. If you want to use the dropdowns on another doc, add the options again.

Computer

 

 

1. Type / to activate Quick actions, then search for dropdown.
2. Select Dropdown from the suggested actions.
3. To add your custom options, select + Create dropdown. Presets are also available: Status, Rating, Effort, Timing, Approval, and Priority.
4. To edit an option, click and hover your mouse over the label. From here, you may rename, change color, or delete an option. You may also drag options to rearrange them.
5. To add another option, click + Add new option.
6. To change format or style, click on the option and select an action from the toolbar, similar to how you’d format a text.

Mobile

1. Tap the Quick actions icon then search for dropdown.
2. Select Dropdown from the suggested actions.
3. To add your custom options, select + Create dropdown. Presets are also available: Status, Rating, Effort, Timing, Approval, and Priority.
4. To edit an option, tap the label. From here, you may rename, change color, or delete an option. You may also drag options to rearrange them.
5. To add another option, tap + Add new option.
6. To change format or style, tap on the option and select an action from the toolbar, similar to how you’d format a text.

 

Embedding designs

You can add Canva designs to your document by pasting the design link.

Double-click on the design to interact with it.

Adding links to text

Add links to texts in your document.

Computer

 

 

1. Select the text you want to add a link to.
2. On the floating toolbar, select  Link.
3. Enter the link you want to add.

Mobile

1. Select the text you want to add a link to.
2. On the toolbar, select  Link.
3. Enter the link you want to add.

 

Adding tables

You may also add tables to your document and format its border, colour, and size. Just click on a cell or select multiple by pressing shift and clicking across cells.

Adding columns

Add columns to your document without having to add tables.

Computer

 

1. From your Canva doc, select the  Plus icon next to your text cursor. Alternatively, you may key in “/column”
2. Search for Columns. From here, you can choose between Columns, 2 Columns, 3 Columns, or 4 Columns. Select Columns to choose between Right Sidebar, Left Sidebar, or 3 Columns with Sidebars.

Mobile

Adding columns on mobile is unavailable. You may add columns using your computer and edit them on mobile.

 

Adding dividers

Add dividers to better structure your document

Computer

 

1. From your Canva doc, click the  plus icon next to your text cursor.
2. Search and select Divider. As a shortcut, you can just type three dash symbols in your doc and it will automatically add a divider.
3. To adjust your divider, just click on the divider, then select your preferred colour and style from the editor toolbar. To make your divider colour gradient, please refer to Creating and using colour gradients.

Mobile

1. From your Canva doc, tap the  plus icon next to your text cursor.
2. Search and select Divider. As a shortcut, you can just type three dash symbols in your doc and it will automatically add a divider.
3. To adjust your divider, just tap on the divider, then select your preferred colour and style from the editor toolbar at the button of your screen. To make your divider colour gradient, please refer to Creating and using colour gradients.

 

 

Adding dates

Add dates that stand out in your document to align everyone in the team, or set your personal targets and deadlines.

Computer

 

 

1. From your Canva doc, click the  Plus icon next to your text cursor. Alternatively, you may key in “/date.“
2. Search and select Date. From here, you can choose Select date to open the date picker or choose from Today, Tomorrow, or Yesterday's date. You can also type in ”/today,” “/tomorrow,“ or “/yesterday“ to automatically insert those dates.
3. To make the date stand out, change the colour. Click the  Text Colour icon.
4. Select your preferred colour from the colour panel.

Mobile

1. From your Canva doc, tap the  Quick actions icon.
2. Search and select Date. From here, you can choose Select date to open the date picker or choose from Today, Tomorrow, or Yesterday's date.
3. To change the date’s colour, scroll left, then tap the  Colour icon.
4. Select your preferred colour from the colour panel that appears.

 

Adding page breaks

Structure and export your content as pages by adding page breaks.

Computer

 

1. From your Canva doc, select the  Plus icon next to your text cursor. Alternatively, you may key in “/Page break”.
2. Search and select Page break. Your document will be split into pages. Add more page breaks as necessary.

Mobile

1. From your Canva doc, tap the Search icon.
2. Search and select Page break. Your document will be split into pages. Add more page breaks as necessary.

 

Page breaks might not function correctly when there's too much content on the page. After downloading, you might see that your content doesn't fit properly on the page.

Mentioning collaborators on Docs

Collaborate efficiently by mentioning the people working on your document.

Computer

 

1. Type in “@” then the name/s you’d like to tag. You may also press / to open quick actions and look for Mentions.
2. To allow notifications, click  Send notification.

Mobile

1. From your Canva doc, tap the Quick actions icon.
2. Search for Mentions then type the name/s you’d like to tag.
3. To allow notifications, tap the mention itself and select Mention from the bottom toolbar then  Send notification.

 

We’ll let the mentioned person know through email and Homepage notifications. If the  Send notification button isn’t available, grant them design access first.

Suggestion mode

Track changes and provide real-time feedback to a document using the Suggestion mode.

 

Suggestion mode is different from comments. Learn more about Add, delete, and resolve comments.

Here are the changes that you can suggest directly in the editor:

• Add, delete or move elements
• Add, delete, or replace texts
• Update text formatting (font size, bold, etc.)
• Add or delete spaces

Your suggested changes will be highlighted in blue. Suggestions added by collaborators in your document will be highlighted depending on your cursor colour.

Computer

 

1. From a menu bar above the editor, click the  Editing  dropdown.
2. Select Suggesting.
3. Add your suggested changes by adding, deleting, or replacing the content.

Mobile

1. From the editor screen, tap the  file menu.
2. Tap Change Mode.
3. Select Suggesting.
4. Add your suggested changes by adding, deleting, or replacing the content.

 

To resolve suggestions, select the highlighted suggestion, then click the  check icon to accept the suggestion or the  cross icon to reject it.

To view resolved suggestions, just click the comment icon from the top corner of the editor. Click the filter dropdown, then select Resolved.

Navigating the contents of your Docs

Easily navigate and understand the contents of your Doc using Outline. This gives you a structured and hierarchical reference of the sections or headings that you have on your document.

Computer

 

1. From the bottom of the editor, click Outline. The Doc’s outline will show next to the side panel.
2. To close the outline, just click the Outline once again.

Mobile

1. From the editor, tap the [token: MoreHorizontalIcon | size: M] icon.
2. Tap Show outline. A pop-up window will appear containing the Doc’s outline.
3. To close the outline, just tap the [token: CloseIcon | size: M] Close icon.

 

Sharing Docs

Collaborate with others by setting permissions and sharing access to your Doc.

 

Computer

 

1. On the editor menu bar, click on  Share.
2. Use the dropdown to choose the sharing permissions for your doc.
3. Click on Copy link.

If you have or are in a team, you can also share designs with your team.

Mention other users directly within Canva Docs for better and more efficient collaboration. To do this:

1. Press Shift + 2 ( @ ) or / on your keyboard and type the user’s name or email address.
2. Select the user you want to mention from the dropdown.
3. Ensure that the user you tagged has access to your Doc. Click the user you mentioned and select  Share this design.
4. From the dropdown, select your preferred access for the user. Choose between Can edit, Can comment, or Can view.
5. Select Share.

Mobile

1. On the editor menu bar, tap on  Share.
2. Tap on  Share link.
3. Use the dropdowns to choose the sharing permissions for your doc.
4. Tap on Copy link.

If you have or are in a team, you can also share designs with your team.

Mention other users directly within Canva Docs for better and more efficient collaboration. To do this:

1. Tap on the  icon.
2. Type the user’s name or email address.
3. Under Mentions, select the user you want to mention.
4. Ensure that the user you tagged has access to your Doc. Tap the user you mentioned and select  Mention from the bottom menu.
5. Tap  Share this design.
6. From the dropdown, select your preferred access for the user. Choose between Can edit, Can comment, or Can view.
7. Select Share.

 

Downloading Docs

Download and save a copy of your Canva Docs as a PDF or DOCX file.

Computer

 

1. On the editor menu bar, click on  Share.
2. Click on  Download.
3. Select PDF Standard or DOCX file type.
4. Choose the document size you want to download in.
5. Click on Download.

Mobile

1. On the editor menu bar, tap on  Download.
2. Choose the document size you want to download in.
3. Tap on Download.

 

 

Currently, you can only download Canva Docs as a PDF or DOCX file. We’re working on adding more download options in the future.

If you want to turn your doc into a presentation magically, check Converting Canva Docs into presentations to learn how.

Publishing Docs to a domain

Publish your Docs as a website to share information with a broader audience.

Computer

 

1. From your Canva doc, add your draft or click the  plus icon next to your text cursor for more document options. To help with content creation, you can use Magic Write.
2. If all looks good, click the  Share button and choose the  Website icon.
3. Choose how you want to publish your doc depending on your domain options.

Mobile

1. From your Canva doc, add your draft or tap the  Quick actions icon for more options. To help with content creation, you can use Magic Write.
2. If all looks good, click the  Share button and choose the  Website icon.
3. Choose how you want to publish your doc depending on your domain options.

 

After publishing the Canva doc to a domain, you can use it as your homepage or link it to your website's homepage if you've created one already.