Get started with Canva Charts

Present study results, compare sales, track trends, and explore data with Canva’s 30+ chart options.

Transform complex data into clear and engaging visuals with ease. Here’s a walkthrough to get you started.

If you’re a Brand designer or an Admin, you can set up on-brand chart colours, check out Set up on-brand chart styles.

Step 1: Prepare your data set

Before choosing a chart ensure your data is relevant, well-structured, and aligned with your objective.

What kind of data do you have and what question are you trying to answer?

Start by identifying your data type and the questions you want to answer:


Data Type	Description	Sample questions	Best Chart Types
Categorical	Distinct categories	Which product category has the highest sales? Which service is the most preferred?	Bar Chart, Column Chart, Pie Chart, Donut Chart, Hierarchy Chart
Numerical	Measurable quantities (e.g., sales figures)	What is the average monthly revenue?	Bar Chart, Line Chart, Area Chart, Scatter Plot, Bubble Plot, Statistical Charts
Temporal	Data over time (e.g., monthly revenue)	How has the sales trend changed over time?	Line Chart, Area Chart, Bar Race Chart

Step 2: Choose the right chart type for your data

After you’ve identified your data type, choose the right chart type for effective data visualization.

Using the wrong chart may lead to misinterpretation, so selecting the best fit is crucial.


Chart Type	Best for:	Works best with data type:
Bar chart, Column Chart	Presenting comparisons and categories	Categorical, Numerical
Line chart, Area Chart	Showing trends and changes over time	Temporal, Numerical
Pie chart, Donut Chart	Presenting proportions and percentages across a limited number of categories	Categorical
Scatter plot, bubble plot charts	Presenting relationships between variables and identifying trends and outliers.	Numerical
Dot plot charts	Comparing individual data points across categories to highlight distribution, gaps, and	Categorical, Numerical
Hierarchy Charts, Bar Race Charts	Showing relationships, classification structures, and comparing changes in multiple categories over time in a highly engaging way.	Categorical, Temporal
Radar Charts	Presenting multivariable data and comparing multiple data sets.	Numerical
Statistical Charts	Finding out how data is distributed through histograms and funnel charts.	Numerical
Infographic charts	Best for infographics and story-telling	Categorical, Numerical

Add a chart

Create or open an existing design.
From the editor side panel, select
Charts. If it's not there, select
Apps first, then Charts.
To add a chart to your design, select on it from the options.

Step 3: Set up your chart data

You can either add your data manually, import from a spreadsheet, or connect your data source apps. Check out Add, import or connect your data for ways to input your data.

Step 4: Choose which data to display

Depending on your chart, highlight the key points for clarity and impact. Present the data that matters and focus on the most relevant insights.

In Canva, you can do this by selecting the Customize tab and adjusting what’s shown in your chart. Here’s how.

Select the chart to open the toolbar, then select Edit.
In the side panel, under the Data table, go to Chart setup.
From here, you can control and easily select which data to display depending on the chart type. You can also choose how you’d like colours, sizes, or time periods displayed.

Step 5: Visualise and customise your chart

Now that your chart is set up, you can start customizing it to better highlight your data.

Edit chart text directly on the chart by selecting a text element.

Select and edit text directly on your chart

Select the chart in your design.
Select the text you want to edit.
From the toolbar, select your text style, size, color, or formatting options.

Chart text styling is limited to titles, subtitles, source text, and axis titles.

Each chart type comes with its own set of options—like adjusting colors, labels, playback speed, or axis settings—depending on what you want to show.

Explore the articles below to learn how to customise each chart type:

Bar Charts – Switch between stacked, grouped, or proportional bars and customise segment colours and labels.
Pie and Donut Charts – Change slice colours, labels, and percentages to highlight parts of a whole.
Line Charts – Edit line styles, markers, and data points to show trends over time.
Scatter, Bubble, and Dot Plot Charts – Customise markers, axes, and trend lines to show patterns and comparisons.
Radar Charts – Adjust axes, values, and fill styles to compare multiple variables.
Hierarchy Charts – Adjust layout levels, size by value, and colour by category.
Bar Race Charts – Control playback speed, number of visible bars, and colour settings.
Histogram Charts – Define bin ranges, update axis labels, and style bars for clarity.
Funnel Charts – Customise each stage’s colour, label, and value to track progress.
Area Charts – Change fill colour, opacity, and line thickness to show growth and impact.
Infographic Charts - Customise progress and pictogram charts by adjusting values, icons, spacing, and line thickness—then fine-tune colours and labels to match your style and clearly visualise progress.

What makes a great chart?

A great chart effectively communicates data insights while maintaining clarity and visual appeal.

Follow these best practices to refine your charts:

Define a clear purpose: Identify the main insight your chart should convey and ensure every design choice supports that message.
Use relevant and accurate data: Filter out unnecessary data points and ensure consistency to avoid misrepresentation.
Keep It clean and uncluttered: Remove unnecessary elements like excessive gridlines, labels, and legends to focus on the data itself. Learn more about Format chart data for clarity.
Use colour intentionally: Select colours that enhance readability, clearly differentiate data, and align with accessibility best practices. Learn more about Changing chart colours.
Make labels and legends readable: Use simple, legible fonts and place labels strategically for easy interpretation.
Ensure consistency: Maintain uniform styles, font sizes, and formatting for a professional, cohesive look.
Highlight key insights: Design your chart so users can quickly grasp the most important trends and patterns without extra effort.

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