Would you like a low-cost and quick tool to create graphics for your social media channels or website?
Did you know Canva offers free templates and images for just $1.
Are you aware that there are Canva keyboard shortcuts?
With the shift towards visual marketing for businesses, you can now create graphics for your social networks such as Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest using Canva and save a lot of time (and money).
In this article you’ll find 10+ Canva keyboard shortcuts to help you create graphics faster.
Canva vs. Adobe Photoshop
Do you remember when you needed Adobe Photoshop if you wanted to create graphics for your business? Not only was it expensive, but it had a very steep learning curve. With new tools like Canva, you can create graphics for:
- Social networks
- Facebook news feed images
- Facebook Ads
- Twitter Ads
- Blog
- Custom dimensions
- And more
The difference is that with Canva, it doesn’t take much time or cost very much – most images are free.
Canva also doesn’t have a steep learning curve and has become a tool I use regularly for projects.
They also include a lot of pre-built templates you can work from or create your own in just a few minutes.
Besides making it easy to create graphics, Canva also includes a number of hidden keyboard shortcuts.
These shortcuts combined with a drag-and-drop interface make Canva a tool you want in your toolbox.
Canva keyboard shortcuts
I’ve included animated GIFs for using these Canva keyboard shortcuts. If they don’t load, please click the image.
1. Convert all text to uppercase
In Canva, let’s say you want to convert all of the text to uppercase.
Instead of selecting the text and re-typing it out, you can use this keyboard shortcut instead.
Shortcut: Command (or Control) + Shift + K
2. Add a border on text
Quickly add a border around any piece of text with the following Canva keyboard shortcut.
First, select the text box you want to add a border around.
Next, use the following keyboard shortcut.
Shortcut: Option (or Alt) + Shift + B
3. Increase the size of the border
To increase the size of the border you have added in Canva, use this keyboard shortcut.
Select the object with a border.
Then use these keys.
Shortcut: Option (or Alt) + Shift + Equals sign
4. Decrease the size of the border
To decrease the size of the border you have added in Canva, use this keyboard shortcut.
Select the object with a border.
Then use these keys.
Shortcut: Option (or Alt) + Shift + Minus sign
5. Quickly switch between elements on different layers
To switch between layers in a stack, use this Canva keyboard shortcut.
First, select the object you want to move.
Next, use the following keyboard shortcut.
Shortcut: Press and hold the command (or Control) key.
Keep clicking until you are on the desired layer.
6. Move layers forward and backwards
First, select the object you want to move.
Next, use the following keyboard shortcut.
Shortcut: Command (or Control) + [ or Command (or Control) + ].
You can also substitute the up or down arrows for the brackets in Canva.
7. Display a grid in Canva
Make it easy to align objects on your image in Canva using by applying a grid to your workspace.
Note: if you have an image in front of your canvas, you may need to move it to see the grid.
Start creating an image in Canva.
Then use this keyboard shortcut.
Shortcut: Command (or Control) + ;
8. Undo an edit
Did you make a mistake in Canva?
Instead of reloading the page and starting from scratch, use this keyboard shortcut to undo your changes.
Shortcut: Command (or Control) + Z
To redo an edit, use Command (or Control) + Shift + Z
9. Duplicate a layer
If you need to duplicate a layer, use this Canva keyboard shortcut.
This shortcut works great if you want to duplicate a text layer without having to redo the font, font size, and color.
Shortcut: Command (or Control) + C to copy. Command (or Control) + V to paste.
10. Constrain proportions on images
When re-sizing objects in Canva, you can constrain the proportions with this keyboard shortcut.
First, select the layer you want to work with.
Next, hold the shift key and drag in the direction you want to scale your image.
Shortcut: Shift key
11. Delete an item
Don’t waste time clicking on an object and going to the pop-up delete button.
Instead, you can select an item you want to delete and press the delete key.
Shortcut: Delete key
12. Move multiple images
Do you need to move multiple images at one time?
Don’t spend time moving them individually, that’s a waste of time.
Instead, use this keyboard shortcut in Canva to select just the ones you want to move.
Shortcut: Shift + Click
Once you have all of the items selected, you can drag them to their new position.
13. Select all objects in Canva
Do you want to select everything in your Canva project at once?
Don’t spend time selecting items individually. That wastes a lot of time.
Instead, launch your Canva project and use this keyboard shortcut.
Shortcut: Command (or Control) + A
You can also use this keyboard shortcut to quickly move images in Canva.
14. Move an object in increments
Do you need to move an object?
You can quickly move objects in Canva in 10 pixel increments.
Select the object to move and use this keyboard shortcut.
Shortcut: Shift + arrow keys
15. Nudge an object
Would you like to move an object a small amount?
To nudge an object one pixel, select the object and use these keys.
Shortcut: Up arrow, Down arrow, Left arrow, Right arrow
16. Search for photos in Canva
Don’t leave your project in Canva to search for photos.
Use this keyboard shortcut to find them quickly.
Shortcut: Command + /
17. Zoom in
Do you need to zoom in to your Canva project?
Use this keyboard shortcut to zoom in to your Canva project so that you can view the details of your project.
Shortcut: Command (or Control) + =
18. Zoom out
Do you need to zoom out of your Canva project?
Use this keyboard shortcut get a view of the bigger picture in Canva.
Shortcut: Command (or Control) + –
19. Adding a textbox
This last Canva keyboard shortcut is courtesy of Canva CEO, Melanie Perkins who mentioned it in the comments of this post.
If you want to add a new textbox to your Canva project, you can use this Canva keyboard shortcut.
Shortcut: Press the T key
Over to you
As you get used to using Canva, try to use the Canva keyboard shortcuts.
By using these keyboard shortcuts, you can save yourself a lot of time when creating images, ads and more.
Question: Besides the Canva keyboard shortcuts I listed, what other keyboard shortcuts would you like to see added to Canva?