Import and edit PDFs in Canva

You can import a PDF to Canva to update text, replace images, adjust layouts, or convert it into a new design format. Canva keeps your document as close as possible to the original while making supported content editable.

Key terms:

• PDF: A universal file format for consistent document sharing.
• Flattened text: Text turned into an image .It can’t be edited.
• Import: Bringing a file into Canva.
• Brand Controls: Admin rules that enforce brand styles.

You can import PDFs from Canva Homepage, Canva Editor, or PDF editor and converter pages. Canva analyses your PDF and keeps the original layout as closely as possible.

Edit text

1. Select a text box.
2. Use the editor toolbar to change the font, size, spacing, or alignment.

Edit images

• Drag an image from
  Elements or
  Uploads to replace an existing image.
• Select an image, then
  Delete to remove an image.

Move or add content

• Drag elements to reposition them.
• Go to
  Elements to add shapes, icons, or lines.
• Select Add page to insert another page.

1. Select
   Share.
2. Select
   Download.
3. Choose a file type.

Available formats include:

• PDF Standard or PDF Print
• PNG or JPG
• MP4 for designs containing animations or video

When importing PDFs:

• Files can contain up to 500 pages.
• Files can be up to 300 MB.
• PDFs can contain up to 1,400 elements and images. Larger files may import incompletely or experience performance issues.
• A desktop browser is recommended for advanced editing and Brand features.

Depending on your file:

• Text and images may be separated into editable elements.
• Unsupported fonts may be replaced with similar fonts.
• Scanned PDFS are imported as a single flattened image, so their text and design elements can’t be edited.
• Some layouts may shift slightly after import and may need minor adjustments.

Depending on your team's settings:

• Brand Controls may limit image replacements to approved
  Brand Kit assets
• Permissions: Team permissions may restrict who can edit or view PDFs.
• Locking: Admins may use
  Lock to prevent layout changes.

The PDF was scanned or contains flattened text, so Canva imports it as a single image.

1. Check whether the page was imported as a single image.
2. If it was imported as a single image, the text can't be edited.
3. Replace or recreate the content using Canva text elements if needed.

The original font isn't supported in Canva and was replaced with a similar font.

1. Select the affected text.
2. Use the editor toolbar to choose a different font.
3. Adjust the font formatting as needed.

The PDF exceeds the supported complexity, such as having more than 1,400 elements or images, or is too large.

1. Check whether the PDF exceeds the supported file size or complexity limits.
2. Reduce the file size or simplify the PDF if needed.
3. Import the PDF again.

Team permissions, Brand Controls, or layout locking restrict editing.

1. Check whether you have permission to edit the PDF.
2. If Brand Controls are enabled, replace images using approved Brand Kit assets.
3. If the layout is locked, ask your team admin to unlock it if changes are needed.