Canva is a great tool for bloggers, influencers, and really anyone who does digital marketing. It just makes graphic design super easy, even for an amateur or someone who does not have hours to spend in Photoshop. You seriously won’t find an easier way to create eye-catching graphics and digital products. Canva is the GOAT!
Though you can do lots of photo editing in Canva, it’s really great to create visuals with text. In order to get started making helpful infographics, how-tos, eBooks, and other material, you’ll need to know all about adding text boxes to Canva. That’s what we’re breaking down today!
Here’s how you do it:
How To Add a Text Box in Canva
Step 1: Open your Canva project.
First, open your Canva project! To do that, you can either click on an existing project, open a new canvas, or use the search bar to find the perfect pre-made template. If you already have templates you like saved, here’s how you can find your starred templates on your Canva account.
Step 2: Click “Text” in the left panel.
Once your project is open, you’ll see a series of tabs descending vertically in the far left panel. Below Elements, you’ll find Text. Click the text tab to see all the options and add your text box.
Step 3: Add a text box.
At the top of the menu, you’ll see an indigo button that says Add a text box. You can either click that text option to add an unformatted text box. Or, you can add a heading or add a little bit of body text by clicking one of the options below Add a text box. They’ll all be labeled based on the type of auto-text formatting it’ll do for you!
If you’ve loaded your brand kit into Canva (which we highly recommend), then these text options will include your own, preset fonts. (Here’s how to import your fonts to Canva.) This makes adding a text box even easier, because the text is already the right font, size, and maybe even color! This is the best way to add a subheading or body text.
You can also insert a text box by scrolling down further to find the section labeled Font Combinations. These text boxes are already pre-designed with different colors, fonts, and effects. These are great for aesthetics, but they’ll still need editing to fit your branding.
Step 4: Insert your text.
Once the text box appears, double-click on the text to change the content. Copy and paste your text or type it in the space provided.
Step 5: Change the font, colors, and effects.
Now that the text is added, it’s time to format! Even if you’re using an uploaded font from your brand kit, it probably won’t be perfect on the first try. Edit text by trying out different colors and font combinations, altering the alignment, adding hyperlinks, and playing with effects!
Canva has a ton of effects to make your text really pop. You can add shadows, create bubble letters, curve your text, and even add backgrounds. If you want more ways to customize, consider adding a border too! Just play around with it and figure out what works for your project and vision.
Step 6: Adjust the size of the text box.
Once you’re happy with the way the text looks, adjust the size of the text either by using the font size option on the top toolbar or by using the white circles on the corners of your text box. Just select the text using one click, and then drag and adjust until you get the right fit.
Step 7: Position the text box.
Now you can drag and drop your text wherever you like. Use the alignment and positioning rulers and adjustment options to get the best fit. You can find the alignment options by clicking Positions on the far right of the toolbar. There, you can distribute your content and align your text with any elements on the canvas.
Step 8: Click out of the text box to save.
To save the text box, simply click out of it! However, you can also group elements on Canva by holding shift, selecting multiple elements, including your text, and then hitting Group in the pop-up. If you don’t have anything to group it with, and you’re afraid of it moving or changing, click your text box and then hit the lock icon on the right side of the toolbar. Now it’s not going anywhere!
How To Outline Text Box In Canva
Want your text to stand out more in Canva? While Canva doesn’t offer a direct “outline text box” button, here are a few easy workarounds:
Use a shape behind your text box.
- Go to Elements and search shape or rectangle.
- Add it to your canvas and resize it to frame your text.
- Use the toolbar to adjust the border weight, corner rounding, and color of the shape.
Add a border element from Canva’s library.
- Go to Elements and type “borders”.
- Choose a decorative or solid border and resize it to sit behind your text.
Apply a stroke (outline) text effect.
- Select your text box, then click Effects and Outline.
- Customize your outline’s thickness and color to suit your needs.
How To Make Words Curve In Canva
Add your text to the canvas.
Start by inserting your text onto the canvas. Keep it short and simple for the best curve effect, especially if you’re going for a clean design.
Click on the text box to select it.
Click on your text box to make sure it’s fully selected. You want the whole element active, not just the cursor inside it.
Click Effects in the top toolbar.
Head to the top toolbar and click on Effects. This is where Canva keeps all of its text styling tools.
Select the Curve option.
Choose the Curve option from the panel. This will instantly apply a default curve to your text.
Adjust the curve using the slider.
Use the slider to tweak the curve up or down. A subtle curve feels more polished, while a stronger curve gives a more playful, bold look.
How To Add A Link To A Text In Canva
Select your text.
Click on the text box that you want to turn into a link. Make sure the correct text element is selected, especially if you’re working with multiple boxes.
Click on the link icon.
In the top toolbar, click the chain (link) icon. If it’s not immediately visible, check under the three dots to expand more options.
Paste your URL.
Enter your link into the field provided. You’ll want to copy and paste it to avoid any typos or errors.
Apply the link.
Click Apply to save your link. It’s a good habit to quickly test it before exporting your design.
How To Move A Text Box In Canva
Select the text box.
Start by clicking on your text box to activate it. This ensures you’re moving the entire element, not just editing the text inside it.
Drag and drop your text box.
Click and drag the text box to your desired position on the canvas. Move it slowly to take advantage of Canva’s alignment guides. They are SUPER handy!
Use positioning tools.
Use the Position tool in the top toolbar to align your text neatly with other elements, whether that’s centering or spacing.
Fine tune placement.
Now you just need to make small adjustments until everything looks balanced and visually clean. Zooming in can help with more precise control if you need a little extra support.
Adding a text box to Canva is easy!
There are a few different ways to add a text box to Canva, and they’re all super simple. Have fun playing with Canva and use it to create engaging imagery for every blog post. Research shows the blog posts with visuals perform way better than those without, so get designing and head over to the InfluencerSEO blog for more need-to-know blogger tips and tricks!
Jordan Becerra, founder and Lead SEO Strategist at InfluencerSEO, has spent almost 15 years in the creator internet space, the last nine building InfluencerSEO into the go-to SEO partner for content creators, with 500+ creators served from pre-launch to massive publication. She learned creator monetization and community building strategy from the inside working for Lauryn Bosstick of The Skinny Confidential prior to founding InfluencerSEO, so she understands both halves of the game: how search actually works AND how creators actually build a strong community online and make money. Her job now is to stay ahead of where search engine optimization is going, especially as AI rewrites the rules, and to make sure the creators she works with get there first.
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