Have you been toying with the idea of becoming an influencer on Instagram and don’t know where to start? Maybe you wish to create a YouTube channel or become TikTok famous? To make it on any of these platforms, you have to produce high-quality videos.

But fear not, you don’t have to be a master editor to do that. With the help of Canva, you can create a variety of videos that look like they came out of a professional studio. This article will explain how to do that, step by step.

Get Familiar With Canva

Unlike most other editing software, Canva is completely cloud-based. You don’t need to install anything to use it, just sign up for a free account. Once that’s done, you can log in from any computer or even use the Canva mobile app to generate beautiful designs.

At its inception, this software mainly focused on graphic design, allowing you to create a logo with no design knowledge or produce slick photo books. However, with the launch of its dedicated video editor, Canva has transformed into a full-blown video editing software.

With a user-friendly interface that includes templates, drag-and-drop features, and a library of assets, even the novice creator can produce a high-quality video in a matter of minutes, not hours. Here are the steps you need to go through.

1. Start a New Project

start a new project Canva

The first step (after you sign up for an account) is to pick the project type you want to make. Since videos for different platforms have different dimensions, it’s essential to decide this right away. You’d be able to resize later with a pro account, but it’s not as easy in the free version.

If you know the dimensions of your video, you can click Create a design > Custom size and input the correct details. If you’re not sure, then click the Video button after the title What will you design?. This will show you the options available in the software, from Instagram Reels to LinkedIn Videos. For this article, we picked a TikTok video.

2. Choose a Template, or Make Your Own

canva templates

After you choose your project type, the software opens a blank window. At the bottom of the window, you can see your timeline. This allows you to add multiple frames to the video and determine their length.

One of the best features Canva offers to beginners is the templates. You can see these on the lefthand side of the screen. They can be incredibly helpful if you want to create an opening sequence or a presentation. You can also use the search bar to look for a template to match your specific needs, such as New Year’s or Promotion.

When you double-click a template, it will be added to your current frame. There, you can edit the text, switch out the photos and videos, change colors, and move things around to suit your needs better.

If you can’t find a template you like, you can always start from scratch, which we’ll expand about in the next point.

3. Add Your Content

canva content

Now, let’s discuss the content you can include within the video. First, on the left side of the screen, you can find the tabs for stock Videos, Photos, and Audio, as well as Elements (such as shapes and stickers) and Text.

Some of these are free to use, and some require a small payment or signing up to a pro account. You can drag and drop either one into the screen, resize, and move them around.

If you want to create something more structured (but don’t want to use the templates), you can pick Elements and scroll to Grids or Frames. When you drag those into the screen, they create a shape for you to drop items into to organize them more neatly.

You can, of course, also upload your own content. Use the Upload tab on the right to add your pre-recorded video, audio, and pictures. Then, just drag it into the frame. When you double-click a video or image on the screen, you can also crop it.

If you use the Canva app, you can record directly into the project. Simply click the + button, and navigate to Videos. Then pick Camera, and start recording. Learn more about how to use the Canva app for beginners.

4. Edit to Perfection

canva transitions

With regards to editing, the software offers multiple options. First, there’s the timeline at the bottom of the screen that we’ve already mentioned. With the big + button, you can add new frames to the video. Then, you can edit the length of each frame when you drag the lines on each side of it.

The timeline also lets you add transitions between frames. Click on the + in-between frames, and click Add Transition. Double-click a transition to add it and see additional options.

When you add an audio track to the project, it also appears under the video frames in the timeline. There, you can drag it to a specific location in the video and crop it by moving the edges.

You also get editing options inside each frame. Here, when you click a video, you can edit its specific length without impacting the entire frame, with the scissors tool at the top. There is also the option to animate pictures and elements, using the animation button at the top of the screen — making them fade, tumble, and more.

5. Download and Publish

canva publish

After you finish playing with all the features, it’s time to see your creation. You can preview it before you download it, with the Play button at the top-right of the screen. If you want to get your friend’s opinion before publishing, you can also share the project and even provide editing privileges.

Once you’re happy with the work, you can either click the Download button and pick your desired file format or use the three dots and share directly to various social media platforms.

Enjoy the Process

While we went over most of the basics the video editor has to offer; there’s always more to explore. So take your time, and go through the elements one by one to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

Canva is by no means an advanced video editing software, and some people will find it limiting. But for the beginner, it offers many features that would have been hard to create otherwise without prior editing knowledge.