How to Extract Text from Images with Canva

Canva is a free online tool that allows anyone to create beautiful and professional graphic designs, videos, documents, presentations, websites, and more. It has thousands of templates, features, and elements that you can use to customize your projects.

However, sometimes you might need to extract text from images with Canva, for example, if you want to edit the text in a photo, scan a document, or convert an image into editable text.

In this article, we will show you how to use the Grab Text tool in Canva, which is a powerful and easy-to-use feature that can help you extract text from images with Canva.

What is Grab Text?

Grab Text is a tool that can help you select and edit the text in your photos with Canva. It uses artificial intelligence to recognize and extract the text from any image that you upload or use in Canva.

You can then change the font, style, color, size, and position of the text as you wish. You can also delete or add text elements to your design.

Getting Started with Grab Text

Accessing Grab Text

To begin, make sure you have a Canva Pro, Canva for Teams, Canva for Education, or Canva for Nonprofit account. Grab Text is not available in China, Canva Docs, Video, and the Photo Editor outside the Editor. Follow these steps on your computer or mobile device:

1. Click on the photo you want to edit.
2. On the editor toolbar, click Edit Photo and select Grab Text under the Magic Studio tab.
3. In Tools, under the Effects tab, click Magic Grab.
4. Select Grab Text and wait for the main subject to be processed.
5. Finally, drag your image’s text into the perfect spot or edit it to your liking.

Optimizing Text Recognition

Grab Text works best when the text is straight and not skewed. Ensure the person holding the camera takes a picture straight down from above to avoid perspective distortion. Alternatively, scanning documents and uploading them to Canva can also enhance recognition accuracy.

Solving Common Queries

Can I Undo/Reset Grab Text?

Yes, you can undo the Grab Text operation using the undo button, keyboard shortcut, or by clicking the Grab Text button again.

Can I Select Which Text to Grab and Edit?

Currently, it’s only possible to grab all text in an image; selective text extraction is not supported.

What are the Limitations of Grab Text?

• Enhanced text formatting options such as bold, italic, or underlined are not yet available.
• You can’t control which text to extract, and some text may not be recognized on an image or document.
• Grab Text doesn’t support rotated text, arched text, non-Latin scripts, and multi-page documents.

When Does Grab Text Encounter Issues?

• Temporary technical errors may occur during usage.
• Text recognition may not be perfect, and manual adjustments might be necessary.

Which Templates are Available for Grab Text?

Grab Text is available for various templates, including Social Media, Document (excluding Canva Docs), Presentation, Print products, Websites, and Whiteboards.

Tips and Tricks for Using Grab Text

Grab Text is a very useful and convenient tool, but it also has some limitations and challenges. Here are some tips and tricks to help you use Grab Text effectively and efficiently:

• Use high-quality images. Grab Text works best when the images are clear, sharp, and have good resolution. If the images are blurry, pixelated, distorted, or have poor resolution, Grab Text might not be able to recognize and extract the text accurately or completely. You can use Canva’s media library to access high-quality images, or use your own images as long as they are high-quality and relevant to your design.
• Use straight and not skewed text. Grab Text works best when the text is straight and not skewed. If the text is tilted, curved, or distorted, Grab Text might not be able to recognize and extract the text correctly or entirely. You can avoid this by taking a picture of the text from above, so that there is no perspective distortion. You can also scan the document and upload it to Canva instead of taking a picture.
• Use Latin text. Grab Text only works with Latin text, which is the text that uses the Latin alphabet, such as English, French, Spanish, etc. Grab Text does not support other scripts, such as Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, etc. If you need to extract text from images with non-Latin scripts, you might need to use other tools or methods.
• Use the Magic Eraser to remove unwanted text or artifacts. Sometimes, Grab Text might leave some unwanted text or artifacts in the image, such as parts of the original text, or made-up text from patterns or line drawings. When this happens, you can use the Magic Eraser tool to remove them. The Magic Eraser tool is also under the Magic Studio tab, and it allows you to erase any part of the image with a single click.

Templates Availability

Grab Text is available for various templates, including:

• Social Media
• Document (excluding Canva Docs)
• Presentation
• Print products
• Websites
• Whiteboards

Comparison with Magic Grab and Background Remover

Making Designs Accessible with Alt Text

In addition to Grab Text, Canva promotes accessibility by allowing users to add alt text to images and elements. Alt text enables screen readers and assists users with cognitive or visual impairments in understanding image content.

Adding Alt Text

1. Select the element or image.
2. Click the more options icon, then select Alternative text.
3. Enter a concise and accurate description.
4. Mark as decorative if the alt text adds no additional context.

Tips for Writing Alt Text

• Keep descriptions concise and accurate.
• Provide useful information relevant to the context.
• Use meaningful file names and include keywords for SEO.

Export and Sharing with Alt Text

Alt text is available for images and elements when shared via design share link and Canva Presenter mode. It’s supported in exports such as PDF, PPTX, HTML, design share link, and Canva Presentation mode.

Adding and Editing Text in Canva

Canva provides a user-friendly interface for adding and editing text in designs. Follow these steps:

1. On the editor side panel, click on the Text tab.
2. Click on the option to add a heading, subheading, or body text.
3. Use the text edit options on the editor toolbar to format your text.
4. Double-click on a text box to edit its contents.

Enhancing Photos with Canva’s Photo Editor

Canva’s photo editor offers a range of tools to enhance your images:

Adding Filters

1. Click on the photo you want to edit.
2. In Filters under the Effects tab, choose a filter.

Removing Backgrounds

1. Click on the photo.
2. In Tools under the Effects tab, click BG Remover.

Blurring Photos

1. Click on the photo.
2. In Effects, click Blur.

Adjusting Image Settings

1. Click on the photo.
2. In the Adjust tab, adjust settings or click Auto-adjust.

Editing Colors on Images

1. Click on Adjust, then Colour edit.
2. Select the color box you want to change and adjust sliders.

Cropping Uploaded Photos

1. Click on the photo.
2. In the Crop tab, select your preferred aspect ratio.

Saving Photo Edits

After applying edits, select Save to Canva or download the edited version.

Conclusion

Canva’s Grab Text feature provides a convenient solution for extracting and editing text from images. Whether you’re designing social media posts, presentations, or print products, Grab Text empowers users to modify text seamlessly.

While it has its limitations, the tool proves to be valuable for a wide range of design needs. By following the outlined steps, beginners can harness the power of Grab Text and elevate their design projects.

FAQs

How can I learn more about Canva and its features?

You can learn more about Canva and its features by visiting Canva’s website, where you can find tutorials, courses, blogs, events, and help center. You can also join Canva’s community, where you can interact with other users, share your designs, and get feedback and inspiration.

How can I access more templates, features, and elements in Canva?

You can access more templates, features, and elements in Canva by upgrading to Canva Pro, which is a paid subscription that gives you unlimited access to premium content and design tools. You can also access more templates, features, and elements in Canva by using Canva’s integrations and apps, which are third-party tools that can enhance your design experience and capabilities.

How can I share and collaborate on my designs with others?

You can share and collaborate on your designs with others by using Canva’s share and collaborate tools, which allow you to share your designs via email, link, social media, or download, and to collaborate with others in real-time, with comments, feedback, and editing permissions.

How can I print or publish my designs with Canva?

You can print or publish your designs with Canva by using Canva’s print and publish tools, which allow you to print your designs on high-quality products, such as business cards, cards, invitations, mugs, t-shirts, hoodies, calendars, labels, posters, flyers, and more, and to publish your designs on different platforms, such as websites, presentations, videos, and more.

How can I organize and manage my designs with Canva?

You can organize and manage your designs with Canva by using Canva’s organize and manage tools, which allow you to create folders, subfolders, and teams to store and sort your designs, and to access your designs from any device, online or offline.

Last modified: January 21, 2024