Canva is such a useful website, it is so versatile and can be used for hundreds of different projects. While the majority of people tend to associate Canva with photo editing, it is capable of other tasks too. 

If you are unfamiliar with Canva, or if you are a beginner, you may not be aware of how to utilize it fully, which can hinder you in your creative endeavors.

To help you along, in this article, we will be chatting you through all the different files that can be used with Canva. We will be providing you with a description of these different files to give you a better understanding of what they are, and what they are used for. 

What files are compatible with Canva?

When it comes to the different files that Canva supports, as we mentioned in the introduction, there is a surprising amount that are compatible. In regard to the files, they can be split into three different sub categories — image, document, and video.

Within these three sub categories, there are a handful of different files that can be downloaded onto Canva to be edited. In addition to this, the content you then create on Canva can be converted into these types of files, depending on its purpose. 

Image

The first type of files we are going to discuss is images. When using Canva, this tends to be the most popular file type used. This is because the images can be edited using the website easily, and it is great for creating banners, thumbnails, or designs within photos.

JPG — This is probably the file that everyone is the most familiar with, as this is what the vast majority of photos will be saved as. A JPG is a small file, which is perfect for images as they do not need a large file. 

A JPG is the file recommended option when saving smaller images only. You are able to adjust the scale of the images, and the quality of them, which is useful. This can be done by simply using the slider to change the settings before saving.

PNG — If you are looking to create a larger image, or something that you are planning to use as a thumbnail, or banner, a PNG is the better option. This is a slightly larger file overall, and is a better option for graphic based images in comparison to JPG. 

If you are creating a transparent background, it is the best option to consider. PNGs can be uploaded straight to Canva, or you can save your file as such. When saving, you can choose to compress the file. The options are 0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 3x, though this is not always necessary.

SVG —  This is the best option for larger graphics that you are planning to use on websites. They will save the clearest, and the quality will be better for these types of designs.

You can also download these files straight into Canva too. This file can be used with transparency, which can come in handy when creating larger banners, or graphics for websites and social media.

Document

The second type of content that can be downloaded and edited on Canva are documents. These are files that not everyone will associate with being edited on Canva. However, it is a great option to consider. 

We would recommend saving content such as illustrations and text based graphics as a document. This will set them out correctly when they have saved.

PDF Standard — the majority of people will be familiar with PDFs. These are used for larger pieces of materials, such as brochures, or media kits. You can choose to download an existing PDF to edit on Canva, or you can create and save your own. 

If the graphic you are creating has a resolution of 96 dpi, this is the best option to use.  

PDF Print — This is similar to the PDF standard, but with the goal of printing the content created. Given this, the PDF will have a higher resolution of 300, so that it is clear when printed. In addition to this, you can also bleed and crop marks too, which is a useful tool. 

PPTX (Microsoft PowerPoint) —  If you are looking to add more creativity to a Microsoft PowerPoint, you can import it into Canva for editing. This is particularly useful, and can then be saved ready for presenting as a PPTX too. 

It is worth noting that while PPTX is compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint, you will need to reopen your designs through Microsoft to ensure that everything is transferred over in the correct places. 

Video 

Last, but not least, you can use Canva to edit video content too! While it may not be the go-to option when it comes to longer video edits, there is actually no limit to the length of videos you can edit. 

Given the variety of editing options available, this is something that we would certainly recommend considering.

GIF — The great thing about Canva is that you can use it to upload, edit, or create GIFs. These are popular on the internet, and you can have fun creating your own. 

There are no limitations to these animations, and the animated elements can be adjusted and changed.

MP4 — You can add any type of MP4 video or audio to Canva, which is fantastic. This allows you to use the audio for your editing, and you can also use Canva to edit your videos too. You can really get creative with this feature.

When you are ready to save your MP4, all you will need to do is save it in this format to download.

Summary

We hope you have found this article useful. As you can see, there is a wide variety of different files that can be used with Canva. We hope this encourages you to have fun and use your creativity to its fullest.