Canva Docs is a free online document editor that lets you create stunning and engaging documents with ease. Whether you need to write a business proposal, a financial report, a survey questionnaire, or a personal letter, Canva Docs has everything you need to make your document stand out.
But did you know that Canva Docs can do much more than just text editing? In this article, we will show you 10 mind-blowing tricks that will supercharge your documents with Canva Docs. You will learn how to:
- Add videos, images, graphs, and illustrations to your documents
- Use Magic Write, an AI writing tool, to generate ideas and content
- Collaborate and share your documents with others in real-time
- Translate, convert, and download your documents in different formats
- And much more!
Ready to unleash the power of Canva Docs? Let’s get started!
1. Add videos to your documents
Canva Docs allows you to directly embed videos within your documents, eliminating the need for external links. This feature adds richness and interactivity to your content, engaging your readers in new ways.
how it works:
- Supported formats: You can add short snippets or long-form videos in various formats like MP4, MOV, and AVI.
- Drag and drop: Simply drag and drop your video file from your computer directly into the desired location in your document.
- YouTube links: Embed videos from YouTube by pasting the link in your document.
- Placement flexibility: Resize and position videos wherever you want within your document for optimal visual impact.
Benefits of adding videos:
- Enhanced engagement: Videos capture attention and break up text-heavy content, making your documents more engaging and memorable.
- Explanatory power: Showcase complex concepts, procedures, or data visualizations more effectively through video demonstrations.
- Personalized touch: Include video greetings, introductions, or testimonials for a more humanized experience.
- Accessibility: Provide alternative content for readers who prefer audio-visual information.
Examples of video use in documents:
- Social media strategy presentations: Embed video examples of successful campaigns.
- Exercise program guides: Add instructional video clips for each exercise.
- Company onboarding documents: Include a welcome video from the CEO.
- Classroom lesson plans: Integrate educational video resources.
Remember, this is just an overview. Explore the specific functionalities and limitations of video embedding within Canva Docs based on your plan and document type.
2. Add images to your documents
Another way to make your documents more visually appealing is to add images to your documents. Images can help you:
- Illustrate a point or an example
- Support a claim or an argument
- Provide a visual aid or a reference
- Enhance the mood or the tone of your document
- And more!
To add an image to your document, click on the ‘Elements’ on the left sidebar, and browse through the millions of free images available in Canva’s media library.
You can also upload your own image or paste an image URL. Once you have selected an image, drag and drop it onto your document, and resize and position it as you like.
You can also crop, rotate, flip, and add filters to your image.
3. Add graphs to your documents
There are two ways to add graphs to your documents in Canva Docs:
Embedding Flourish charts and graphs:
- You can add interactive Flourish charts and graphs directly into your document, similar to how you would in a presentation. This allows you to visually communicate your findings and results in an engaging way.
Using design blocks:
- The Canva library contains various design blocks, including tables, videos, images, and graphics. You can use these blocks to add and edit any Canva design within your document.
- This includes using design blocks to make banners and section dividers pop, or adding custom visuals like timelines or roadmaps. While not explicitly called graphs, these could represent data visually depending on your needs.
Here are some additional details:
- You can drag and drop your desired chart or graph element into your document.
- The intuitive formatting will automatically adjust the layout to accommodate the new element.
- You can customize the charts and graphs with different colors, fonts, and styles.
4. Add illustrations to your documents
there are several ways to add illustrations to your documents in Canva Docs:
Using design blocks:
- The Canva library contains various design blocks, including images, graphics, and illustrations. You can use these blocks to add and edit any Canva design within your document.
- This includes using design blocks to make banners, section dividers, timelines, roadmaps, or other custom visuals.
Uploading your own illustrations:
- You can drag and drop your own illustration files (like PNGs or JPGs) directly into your document.
- Canva will automatically resize and format the illustration to fit your document.
Using the Canva library:
- The Canva library contains millions of free and paid illustrations that you can search and add to your document.
- You can filter the illustrations by style, color, and theme to find the perfect one for your needs.
Using Magic Media (AI-powered tool):
- Canva’s AI-powered tool, Magic Media, can generate unique images and artistic videos based on your input.
- You can describe the type of illustration you need, and Magic Media will create it for you.
Embedding external illustrations:
- You can embed illustrations from other websites or services directly into your document using the embed code.
Additional notes:
- You can customize the illustrations you add to your documents by changing their size, color, and position.
- You can also add effects to your illustrations, such as shadows, borders, and filters.
5. Use Magic Write to generate ideas and content
Canva Docs includes a feature called Magic Write, which is an AI-powered assistant that can help you generate ideas and content for your documents. Here’s what the webpage says about Magic Write:
Make the most of in-built AI
AI is a hot topic – and we’ve got some incredible AI-powered tools to take your docs from good to great. Looking for some words of inspiration to get you started? Our AI-powered copywriting assistant Magic Write has you covered, easily producing copy, content ideas, and outlines within seconds – and with our new built-in brand voice feature, you’ll hit the right tone every time. Want to add some eye-catching graphics? Turn imagination into reality with Magic Media, quickly adding unique images and artistic videos straight to your Canva Docs. Or, our AI-powered Translate tool can translate your document into 100+ languages in just a few clicks.
canva.com
Here are some ways you can use Magic Write to generate ideas and content:
- Get started with writer’s block: If you’re struggling to come up with ideas for your document, Magic Write can help you brainstorm by generating different topics, outlines, and even full paragraphs of text.
- Create different types of content: Magic Write can be used to generate a variety of content, such as blog posts, articles, social media posts, and even marketing copy.
- Maintain brand voice: With the new built-in brand voice feature, you can ensure that the content generated by Magic Write aligns with your brand’s tone and style.
- Save time and effort: Magic Write can help you save time and effort by automatically generating content, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your document.
It’s important to remember that Magic Write is a tool, and the quality of the content it generates will depend on the information you provide it. It’s also important to fact-check and edit any content generated by Magic Write before using it in your document.
Here are some additional details about Magic Write that you might find helpful:
- You can access Magic Write by clicking on the “Canva Assistant” button in the bottom right corner of your Canva Doc.
- You can give Magic Write specific instructions, such as the topic of your document, the target audience, and the desired tone of voice.
- Magic Write will generate multiple different options for you to choose from.
- You can edit and customize the content generated by Magic Write to fit your needs.
6. Collaborate and share your documents with others in real-time
Canva Docs boasts a robust collaboration feature that allows you to work on documents simultaneously with others, regardless of their location.
This real-time collaboration fosters seamless teamwork and eliminates the need for time-consuming email chains or version control issues.
Here’s how it works:
- Invite collaborators: Share your document with others by entering their email addresses or inviting them via a shareable link.
- Real-time editing: Everyone with access can edit the document simultaneously, seeing each other’s changes instantly.
- Live cursor tracking: See where teammates are working in the document for better coordination.
- Comments and suggestions: Leave comments and suggestions directly on specific parts of the document for clear communication.
- Version history: Track changes made over time and revert to previous versions if needed.
- Anonymous collaboration: Even people without a Canva account can contribute to your document using the shareable link.
This collaborative feature is perfect for a variety of scenarios:
- Brainstorming ideas: Work together on proposals, reports, or marketing materials in real-time.
- Editing collaboratively: Fine-tune documents with your team, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
- Providing feedback: Share drafts with clients or colleagues and gather feedback efficiently.
Remember, this is just an overview. The specific features and functionalities might vary depending on your Canva plan and the type of document you’re working on.
Explore the Canva Docs platform to discover its full potential for collaborative content creation.
7. Translate your documents to different languages
Canva Docs offers a built-in “Translate” feature that allows you to translate your documents into different languages in just a few clicks. Here’s what the webpage says about it:
Make the most of in-built AI
AI is a hot topic – and we’ve got some incredible AI-powered tools to take your docs from good to great. […] Or, our AI-powered Translate tool can translate your document into 100+ languages in just a few clicks.
Here are some details about the Translate feature:
- Supported languages: It can translate your document into over 100 languages.
- Easy to use: Simply select the desired language and the content you want to translate, and then click “Translate.”
- Accuracy: While machine translation accuracy varies depending on the language pair, Canva’s Translate feature uses advanced AI to provide high-quality translations.
- Settings: You can choose whether to translate the entire document or specific sections.
- Integration: The translated text is automatically integrated into your document, maintaining the original formatting.
It’s important to note that machine translation is not perfect, and you may need to edit the translated text for accuracy and fluency. However, Canva’s Translate feature can be a valuable tool for quickly and easily translating your documents into different languages.
Here are some additional steps on how to use the Translate feature:
- Open your document in Canva Docs.
- Click on the “Apps” tab in the left sidebar.
- Search for “Translate” and click on the app.
- Select the language you want to translate your document into.
- Choose whether to translate the entire document or specific sections.
- Click “Translate.”
8. Convert your documents to different formats
Canva Docs allows you to convert your documents to different formats, including presentations, websites, and social media posts. You can also export your documents as PDFs for printing or sharing.
Conversion can help you:
- Adapt your document to different platforms and devices
- Optimize your document for different purposes and audiences
- Enhance the quality and appearance of your document
- Preserve the integrity and security of your document
- And more!
To convert your document, simply click on the Download button on the top right corner, and choose from the different formats available, such as PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and more. You can also choose the quality and size of your document, such as Standard, Print, or Web. Once you have converted your document, you can also preview and save it as you like.
9. Download your documents as PDFs
One of the most common and useful formats to download your documents is PDF. PDF can help you:
- Maintain the layout and design of your document
- Protect your document from unauthorized editing or copying
- Compress your document to reduce the file size
- Ensure the compatibility and accessibility of your document
- And more!
To download your document as a PDF, simply click on the Download button on the top right corner, and choose PDF as the format. You can also choose the quality and size of your PDF, such as Standard, Print, or Web. Once you have downloaded your PDF, you can also preview and save it as you like.
10. Share your documents online as branded URLs
One of the most innovative and exciting ways to share your documents is to share them online as branded URLs with Canva Docs. Branded URLs can help you:
- Create a unique and memorable identity for your document
- Increase the visibility and reach of your document
- Track and measure the performance and impact of your document
- Engage and interact with your audience
- And more!
To share your document online as a branded URL, simply click on the Share button on the top right corner, and choose Share link as the option. You can also customize your link by adding your own domain name, logo, and favicon. Once you have shared your link, your audience can scroll through your document like a website, and enjoy the full visual experience of Canva