Add a background
Add different types of backgrounds from the Background tab of the editor. You can add different types of backgrounds to your design, including solid colours, gradients, images, videos, and AI-generated backgrounds.
Looking for related articles about backgrounds? You can remove backgrounds from images or videos by using Background Remover. You can also download designs with transparent backgrounds, or use Magic Background to create smart backgrounds that match the style of your designs.
Adding or changing backgrounds isn’t available on Canva Docs.
Add a solid or gradient colour background
If you’re having trouble selecting your background, check if another element is layered over the area you're trying to select.
Add a solid or gradient color background
- Select the background of your page.
- Select Background colour from the floating toolbar that appears near your selection.
- Choose a solid or gradient tile to apply it to your design.
- Click Add a colour to create a new solid or gradient tile.
Tip: Colour palettes will be drawn from your Brand Kit , select a different Brand Kit using the button in the Colour panel.
Add a Magic Background
Use AI to generate custom backgrounds based on your description
- Select your background.
- From the toolbar, select Edit.
- Select Page.
- Under Tools, select Magic BG.
- Enter a description of your desired background design, then select Generate.
- Choose a background from the generated results, or refine your description and select Generate Again.
Add an image background
Use photos or graphics from Canva's library or your own uploads as your design background.
- From the editor side panel, select Elements, then Photos.
- Choose an image to place it on your design.
- Click from the floating toolbar that appears near your selection, or right click on your image, and choose Set image as background.
- To reposition or resize, double-click on your background image.
- To replace your background image, follow the steps above and select Replace background.
Alternately, a range of suggested background images can be found in the editor side panel by selecting Apps, then Background.
Tip: Images can be added directly from your Uploads in the editor side panel.
Add a video background
Add motion and visual interest to your design with video backgrounds from Canva's library or your own uploads.
Add a video background
- From the editor side panel, select Videos. If the option isn’t available, go to Apps, then under More from Canva, select Videos.
- Select a video to add it to your design.
- Select Trim from the toolbar. Drag the highlighted parts at the ends of the video to adjust.
- Select Done to save.
- Select More from the floating toolbar that appears near your selection, or right click on your video, and choose Set video as background.
- To reposition or resize the background video, double-click it.
- Drag the white circles along the edges to resize the video.
- Drag the video itself to reposition it within the page.
- Select Done to save.
- To replace your background video, follow the steps above, and select Replace background.
Tip: Videos can be added directly from your Uploads in the editor side panel. To learn more about adjusting when the background appears or disappears in a video, read our article on How to edit video element timing.
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