How to Make a Video on the Canva Mobile App Like A Pro

“Nah, video editing is too hard!”

Are you one of those people who think video editing’s only for the experts? 

Well, if you haven’t tried editing footage with Canva, you surely won’t discover the ease of creating one.

But, don’t get me wrong here. Canva is a graphic design tool, not a video editing software. So, you might as well manage your expectations with what it can do.

But, if you only got a phone with you, there are various features that the Canva app can offer for you to create a video.

 

How to Make a Video on the Canva App

One way to make videos in Canva is by using a template. Trim its video length, swap out some of the elements, music, and text, or insert your own footage to customize it. If you’re making it from a blank template, add a background. Then, add graphics, images, text, music, and animations. Preview the video before saving it as an MP4 file. 

 

Creating Videos on the Canva App: Basic Steps You Should Know

If you’ve been attentive, you’ll realize there are two ways you can create stunning videos from your Canva app.

For the easy one, we’ll start out with creating videos using templates.

 

Making a Video on the Canva App with Templates

Step 1: After logging in to your Canva account, select what design file you’ll use for your project. 

You can tap on the selections available on the home page, or narrow your search through the search bar function.

Step 2: Browse through the video templates in the gallery and press the video template you’d like to use.

Step 3: After selecting a video template, start customizing it. Replace the video or image on the template by pressing it.

Then, tap the “+” button on the lower left of the screen to activate the menu panel.

Then, choose another footage from Canva’s video gallery, or upload your own video through the Gallery or Uploads button.

Tap whatever video clip you want to use to make it appear on your project. 

But, if you’re fine with the footage that comes with the template, just proceed to the next step.

Step 4: Press twice on the video clip for you to adjust its crop position. Click on the Done button once you’re satisfied with how your footage looks.

Step 5: If you want to customize your video further, press on it again to activate the editor toolbar. 

You will then see the video editing tools that you can use to customize your footage further. 

Step 6: Tap the scissor icon to trim the video. Press and drag the violet handles on the video bar to shorten it.

Press the “X” button once you’re done.

Step 7: Press the Volume button (appears as a speaker icon) to adjust the music volume of the video. Press the “X” button if you’re done adjusting the volume.

Step 8: If you want to add page animations, tap the Animate button and select the video animations available in the gallery.

You can also select to use photo animations to add another fun animation for the video itself. 

Once you’re satisfied with the animations you added, tap the “X” button to exit.

Step 9: Press the Transparency button to adjust the video’s transparency. Drag the slider to adjust how opaque or transparent you want the video to be.

Step 10: Press the Position button to adjust how the video’s layered against the other design elements on your project.

Step 11: If you’re satisfied with the changes you made on the template, press the play button on the menu bar to view the finished product.

You can also tap the Play button found on the lower left of the screen if you want to see the slide transitions as the footage plays.

Step 12: Once everything’s to your liking, tap the Download button on the menu bar, select the Save as button, and tap the MP4 Video option.

Choose the pages you’d like to download and tap the Download button to export the video to your device.

It might look like an extensive process. But, once you master the basics, customizing video templates will be a breeze for you.

And, after mastering the basics of editing video templates, you can now begin designing videos from scratch.

So, how do you make a video on the Canva app using a blank template?

 

Creating Videos on the Canva Mobile App from Scratch

Step 1: Create a new design file by tapping on the purple “+” icon on the bottom right of the screen.

From there, scroll down to select the file type you’d like to use for your video project. Tap on the file type.

You can also select the file type from the home page itself by browsing through the design type suggestions.

Step 2: You will then see the editor page. From there, tap on the blank canvas to activate the editor toolbar at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3: Tap on the color picker button to select your background for the video project.

If you prefer using a photo or video for the background, press the “+” button on the lower left of your editor screen and tap either the Photos or Videos button.

Step 4: Add some text to the design by tapping on the Text button on the bottom menu bar. Select what font style combination you’d like to use and edit the text inside accordingly.

In cases that the font style combination you selected is a grouped element, simply tap the Ungroup button to separate them.

Delete the text boxes that you don’t need accordingly. Then either double-tap on the text box or tap once and press the Edit button to type your message.

You can change the font color accordingly by tapping on the Font color button.

Resize and move the text box accordingly.

Step 5: Add design elements to your project. Tap on the “+” icon again, press on the Elements tab, and head over to the Stickers menu under the Graphics category.

Select the sticker you’d like to use for your design.

You can also add shapes or still graphics to your project, depending on what works best to achieve the end effect.

Step 6: Layer your design elements accordingly by tapping on the Position button. Then, select whether you’ll send that element backward or forward.

You can even flip the image (if you used a photo) or graphic using the Flip button.

Drag the elements across the canvas to where you want to place them.

Step 7: After layering and positioning all the elements of your design, it’s time to add animations. 

Tap on the blank canvas and press the Animate button on the editor toolbar.

Select from the various Page animations available. If you want to add additional flair, press on the text boxes you added earlier and add Text animations as well.

Step 8: Now, add background music to your design. Tap on the purple “+” button again and press the Audio button.

Search for the background music you want to use. Edit the music accordingly.

Step 9: If you’re finished designing, tap on the Play button on the menu bar to have a preview of your work.

If you’re satisfied, tap on the Download button on the menu bar’s upper right. 

Select the file type and ensure that you connect your social media accounts to avoid copyright infringement issues later on.

Tap on the Download button to jumpstart the import process.

Whew! That was quite a blast there!

Though the process’ quite long, it’s actually a combination of all the designing elements you’ve learned so far on the Canva app. 

So, just put them to good use, and you’ll be off designing like a pro in no time — even from a phone!

 

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Make a Video on the Canva App

 

Can I add music to my video even if I’m a Canva free user?

You still can add music to your design even if you’re a Canva free user. You can choose to filter out the Pro audio on the search bar. You can still add a Pro music track but pay for it first before downloading. Just make sure to connect Canva to your social media properly to avoid copyright issues.

 

Can you add more than one video, element, and image on a single video slide?

It’s possible. Adding multiple design elements on a single slide will create a multi-media effect. Just select the elements you like to appear on the video slide and reposition them through dragging on the canvas.