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Add and format content in Canva Docs

In Canva Docs, you can add and format text, highlight important content, insert links and dropdowns, and embed Canva designs. Use built-in tools to customize your layout with design blocks, tables, and other elements for a structured, readable document.

Add text

  1. Click on your page and type / to open the Canva Assistant shortcut, or click the
    plus icon next to your text cursor.
  2. Depending on what you need, search for H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, or Body. The heading styles include
    Title,
    Subtitle,
    Heading ,
    Subheading, and
    Section header.
  3. To add it to your doc, select it from the options.
  4. To highlight important text in a document, click and drag the cursor over selected words or phrases.
  5. From the editor toolbar, click the Highlighter icon (Highlight colour), then pick a colour from the preset options or open the colour panel to access more shades by clicking on the + icon (See all).
  6. Click on your chosen colour, and the text will be highlighted instantly. To remove the highlight, select the No colour tile from the colour panel.
  7. If you'd like to add new highlight colours, select the rainbow colour tile (Add a new colour), then click
    Pick a colour. Hover your mouse on the Colour Picker box, then select a colour.

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

Indent text

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.

View word count, reading time, and character count

Check the total word count, character count, and estimated reading time for your Canva Doc.

  1. From the menu bar, go to File.
  2. Select
    Settings
  3. Select
    Word Count.

Only the document owner or editor can view word count, reading time, and character count. If you only have view or comment access to a Canva Doc and need these features, you can ask the document owner to give you edit access.

Add links to text

Add links to texts in your document.

  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.

Add highlight blocks

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

  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.

Add design blocks

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

  1. Select
    Quick actions.
  2. Select
    Design. Or type /Design directly in your doc.
  3. Design a doc header or banner from scratch, or go to
    Templates to find and use an existing template.
  4. Select Save to add your header or banner to your doc.

To edit a design block, select

Edit from the toolbar.

Edit Images in Docs

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

Magic Grab is not yet available in Docs.

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

Add photos, videos, audio, shapes, graphics, lines, stickers, charts, and other elements from the Canva library:

Add elements

  1. From the editor side panel, select
    Elements.
  2. In the Search bar, describe what you're looking for. Press Enter.
    • Under Search, you'll see existing elements in Canva.
    • To create new content based on your prompt, select Generate.
  3. From the results, select an element to add it to your document.
  4. For more options on refining results and adjusting AI quality, see how to add, duplicate, and delete elements

You can also add photos, text, audio, videos, and backgrounds by going to their tabs from the side panel. If you don’t see them, select Apps first.

Add 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.

  1. Type / to activate Quick actions, then search for the dropdown.
  2. Select the 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. You may rename, change color, or delete an option from here. 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 text.

Embed designs

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

Double-click on the design to interact with it.

If you see this message, it means your design is currently public because of an active embed link. Unpublish the design to restrict access, then create a new embed link.

Want to explore more features in Canva Docs?

Learn how to create your Doc layout, add structured content, work with others, and publish your Doc by going to the Canva Docs overview and getting started guide.

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