Why Use Canva to Upload PDFs
Have you ever found a file you wanted to use for a project but realized it was in PDF format? I don’t know about you, but over the years I’ve had experiences where I needed to edit a PDF and had to switch between different platforms to edit it.
Worse still, some of these platforms require a subscription or ask for money to gain access to this PDF editing! (And while yes, Canva does offer a subscription to access its Pro features, Canva doesn’t require such an account to upload and edit PDFs.)
In Canva, you can easily upload PDF files for editing, making it easy to sign documents, revise formatting, or use them when selling digital downloads!
2 Ways to Upload a PDF File on Canva
The steps to upload a PDF to Canva are fairly easy to follow and you actually have two different options when doing so. The method that you choose is up to you, as they both work fine. I will be going over both of the ways to upload a PDF file so you can have your pick!
Method 1: Drag and Drop the PDF
Follow these steps to learn how to upload a PDF by dragging and dropping it onto the Canva home screen:
Step 1: First you will need to log into Canva using the credentials that you always use to sign in to your account. This will bring you to the home screen.
Step 2: On your device, find the PDF file that you want to upload to Canva in your files. (This means that you will have to have your internet browser open to Canva as well as your device’s file folder.)
Step 3: Click on the PDF file that you want to upload and drag and drop it onto the Canva home screen. You will know that this is successful because a transparent message will appear with a small plus sign and a description of the file types you can upload this way.
Step 4: When you drop the file on the home screen, you will see a message pop up that says Importing your file. After a few seconds, you should be able to scroll down to where your projects are located and see that your PDF file is there on a new canvas.
Step 5: Click on the project to open it up and here you can work away editing and revising aspects of the PDF, including adding any of the Canva elements found in the library.
(Note that any graphics or elements that have a crown at the bottom are only available for use through a paid Canva Pro subscription account.)
Step 6: When you are ready to save your work, navigate to the Share button and click to save your file in the format that best suits your needs. It will then be downloaded to your device and saved in your files folder!
Method 2: Start a new canvas to import your PDF
Follow these steps to learn how to upload a PDF when starting a new canvas project:
Step 1: Log into Canva and click the Create Design button. A new canvas will open based on the dimensions and type of canvas you want to work with.
Step 2: This section is a bit new if you’ve been using Canva for a long time! Instead of navigating to More options, you can now upload your PDF file by clicking the File button at the top of the screen and then the Upload File button.
Step 3: A pop-up message will appear which will read Start from the file. Here, Canva allows you to navigate through your device’s file folders and select the PDF files you want to upload to your canvas.
Step 4: Click on the selected file and then it will appear in the main toolbox. Drag and drop it onto the project to start the editing process!
Step 5: Just as you did with the previous method when you are ready to save your work, navigate to the Share button and click to save your file in the format that best suits your needs. It will then be downloaded to your device and saved in your files folder!
There are two methods of uploading PDF files to Canva, one of which is better than the other.
You can drag and drop a PDF file from your device onto the Canvas home screen and it will be uploaded to a new canvas. Click on the new project with your PDF and edit!
An alternative method of dragging and dropping your PDF files is to open a new canvas and import the files using the Import button present in the drop-down menu.