Canva Keyboard Shortcuts: A Guide

While some people switch between keyboard and mouse when using Canva, others prefer to use the keyboard for everything. Fortunately, Canva offers a wide variety of keyboard shortcuts. Whether you want to create a birthday card, wedding invitation, sign, or poster for work, the app has you covered.

In this article, we will share the most useful Canva keyboard shortcuts.

Canva Basic Keyboard Shortcuts

While working in Canva, you’re bound to use some keyboard shortcuts more than others. These are some of the most basic functions:

• Cmd/Ctrl + C – To copy an element
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + V – To paste an element
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + enter: to add a new blank page
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + D – To create a duplicate
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + B – To make text bold
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + I – To make text italic
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + U – To underline the text
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + A – To select all
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + Z – To undo the element
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + Y – To redo the element
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + S – To save an item
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + Backspace: to delete an item
  
  

These shortcuts will allow you to work much faster and will make your work clearer and more attractive.

Element keyboard shortcuts

Canva allows you to use different elements to improve the overall appearance of your project. Typically, they are used when designing projects. Here are some of the most popular examples:

• Cmd/Ctrl + G – To group elements
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl +]– To arrange elements forward
  
  
• Command/Ctrl + [ – To arrange elements backward
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + G – To ungroup elements
  
  
• Alt + Shift + L – To lock element in place
  
• Alt + Shift + ] – To arrange the element in front.
  
• Alt + Shift +[–Toarrangeelementtotheback[–Paraorganizarelelementohaciaatrás[–Toarrangeelementtotheback
  
• Alt + Shift + T – To align all elements
  

Keyboard shortcuts for zooming

Canva wants your projects to look as neat and precise as possible. For that reason, the application has a zoom function that allows you to make your projects impeccable.

• Cmd/Ctrl + ‘+’ – To zoom in
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + ‘-‘ – To zoom out
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + O – To zoom to actual size
  
  
• Alt + Cmd/Ctrl + O – To zoom and fit
  
  
• Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + O – To zoom and fill
  
  

Keyboard shortcuts for text editing

Since Canva can be used to make presentations, banners, templates, and invitations with text, you can add it to your projects. With these shortcuts, you can make text bold, italic, or underline it for emphasis.

• Cmd/Ctrl + B – To make text bold
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + I – To make text italic
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + U – To underline the text
  
  
• Cmd/Ctrl + F – To search for certain text
  
  
• Shift + Ctrl + F – To open the font menu
  
• Shift + Ctrl + K – To capitalize text
  
• Shift + Ctrl + L – To align left
  
• Shift + Ctrl + R – To align right
  
• Shift + Ctrl + C – To align to center
  
• Shift + Ctrl + J – To justify the text
  
• Alt + Ctrl + Down – To decrease line spacing
  
• Alt + Ctrl + Up – To increase line spacing
  
• Ctrl + Shift + H – To anchor text to the top of the page
  
• Ctrl + Shift + M – To anchor the text in the middle
  
• Ctrl + Shift + B – To anchor the text at the bottom
  
• Ctrl + Shift + 7 – To create a numbered list
  
• Ctrl + Shift + 8 – To create a bulleted list
  
• Alt + Ctrl + C – To copy the text style
  
• Alt + Ctrl + V – To paste text style
  

Video keyboard shortcuts

Canva also features shortcut options for videos. Although there aren’t many options, these shortcuts will make your Canva video experience easier.

• Space: to play or pause a video.
  
• M – To mute or unmute a video
  
• Alt + Ctrl + L – To loop a video
  

Comment keyboard shortcuts

You can also leave comments on Canva. This useful feature allows you to suggest changes or leave reminders without having to change anything in your project. The related shortcuts below will help you when using comments:

• Alt + Ctrl + N – To add a new comment
  
• N – To go to the next comment
  
• Shift + N – To see the previous comment
  
• Ctrl + 5 – To focus on a selected comment
  

Application keyboard shortcuts

If you have the Canva app on your computer, there are certain desktop shortcuts you can use:

• Alt + F4 – To close the application
  
• Ctrl + W – To close the tab you are currently using
  
• Ctrl + R – To reload the app
  
• Ctrl + T – To create a new layout
  
• Ctrl + 9 – To switch to the last tab
  
• Alt + F4 – To close the window
  
• Ctrl + Page Down / Ctrl + Tab – To select the next tab
  
  
• Ctrl + Page Up / Ctrl + Shift + Tab – To select the previous tab
  
  
• Ctrl + Shift + T – To reopen the last closed tab
  
• Ctrl + Shift + H – To open the home page
  
• Ctrl + Shift + ‘+’ – To expand the application interface
  
• Ctrl + Shift + ‘-‘ – To zoom out the application interface
  

One-key shortcuts

Although we’ve already mentioned some shortcuts that require a single key press, here are some more useful options:

• L – To add a line to the template
  
• A – To add a rectangle to the template
  
• C – To add a circle to the template
  
• T – To add a text box
  
• Esc – To deselect an item
  
• Delete: To delete an item.
  
• N – To change to the next item
  

Additionally, you can apply the following key shortcuts to presentations in Canva. They will add certain eye-catching effects to your presentations.

• C – To add confetti to your presentation
  
• D – To add a drum roll to your presentation
  
• O – To add bubbles to your presentation
  
• B – To blur your presentation
  

Frequent questions

What are Canva keyboard shortcuts?

Canva keyboard shortcuts make creating projects easier and more efficient. These shortcuts consist of one, two or three keys that you must press to perform certain actions.

What is the Canva Magic command function?

Canva has introduced a new feature to the app. The Canva Magic command allows you to add new elements, photos or graphics to your project quickly and easily. This feature is available on PC or laptops and users love it.

How do I use the Canva Magic command?

When designing your project, press ‘/’ to activate the Canva Magic command. After doing so, you will see a box where you can write any elements you want or need for your design. For example, you can type “car” in the text box and the car elements will appear. You can also add photos, videos or emojis to your projects using this feature.

Use keyboard shortcuts for ease of use

Even though Canva is already easy to use, there are still some tricks you can use to create better, bolder designs much faster. All the shortcuts described above will certainly help you use the software more efficiently.