How To Make an Editable PDF in Canva (Simple Steps!)
Having trouble making an editable PDF in Canva? I’ve totally been there.
Here’s the thing – editable PDFs are so handy for documents you need others to fill out or update, like invoices, order forms, questionnaires, and more.
With an editable PDF, you can easily create fillable fields for text, signatures, checkboxes, and anything else people need to add.
So in this article, how to make an editable pdf in Canva using Dochub.
I’ll show you how to use Canva to create a pdf and make it editable or fillable inside Dochub within minutes.
Sound good? Let’s get you editing!
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How To Make an Editable PDF in Canva (Step By Step)
Follow the below steps to learn how to make an editable PDF in Canva:
1. Create a Design
Click on the ‘Create a Design’ button from the top right corner of the Canva homepage.
As a result of which a new menu of different design types will open in front of you.
From the top search bar of the new menu, search for document A4 (portrait) as it is the ideal size for creating a pdf.
And then click on it to get directed to the Canva editor.
2. Add Background Color
After opening a design, now you can either choose to work on a template or start building the pdf from scratch like I will be doing in this tutorial.
Note: If you want to work on a template then click on the ‘Design’ button from the left sidebar.
To add color to your background, click on the blank canvas in front of you and then on the ‘Background Color’ button from the top toolbar.
Now you can either click on the default color that you like the most to add it to your design or click on the color picker slider to create a color of your choice.
Note: If you want to add a picture or a texture as your background, then you can click on the ‘Apps’ button from the left sidebar and then scroll down to click on the ‘Background’ button. Now you can click on your desired background.
3. Add Texts
After setting your background, it is time the add text to your design.
For example, I am creating a customer feedback form. So, I will be adding text related to customer satisfaction.
Click on the ‘Text’ button from the left sidebar and then on the ‘Add a Heading’ option. Now you have to type in the heading of your PDF.
And then from the same text section, you can click on ‘Default Text Styles’ or ‘Font Combinations’ to add additional texts like questions, etc.
After adding your text, drag each text element to its respective place.
Note: you can also change the font size, font size, font color, etc from the top toolbar.
4. Add Elements
Now click on the ‘Elements’ button from the left sidebar to add the necessary elements.
Note: We will add necessary elements like answer or checkboxes boxes for the questions.
So, from the top search bar search for ‘Shape’ and then click on a rectangular shape which we will use as an answer box.
After adding the answer box, click on the square shape also which we will use as a checkbox.
Follow the same process to add as many answer boxes and checkboxes as your need. And then position them according.
5. Save Your Design
After adding background, text, and elements, you can then proceed to download your design.
From the top right corner, click on the ‘Share’ button and then on the ‘Download’ button.
Then set your file type to PDF and click on the ‘Download’ button again at the end to save your design to your computer.
Make Your PDF Fillable
After creating your PDF file inside Canva, now let’s see how to make it fillable.
1. Upload Your PDF
Go to the Dochub platform and then sign up or log in to get directed to the dashboard.
Now from the top left corner of the dashboard, click on the ‘New Document’ button.
Then click on the ‘Uploads’ button from the new menu and upload the previously made PDF from your computer.
Once your PDF is uploaded successfully, It is time to make your PDF fillable.
2. Make Your PDF Fillable
Click on the ‘Manage Fields’ button from the top left corner of the screen and then on the ‘Paragraph Field’ button from the new left side menu. (Check Below Screenshot)
Now find the section on your PDF where you want the people to enter some information.
Then while pressing the left button of your mouse, drag the cursor to create a box. Now you can use the resizing handles of the box to make it smaller or bigger in size.
You can also use the ‘Drag Icon’ above the box to reposition the fillable box inside your answer box.
If your design contains checkboxes then click on ‘Checkbox Field’ from the same left menu.
Now click on the PDF where you want people to check the boxes. And a blue color boundary box will appear around it indicating that it is selected.
If you want people to add one-liners like Name, Email, Signature, etc, then you can also take benefit of the ‘Text Field’ from the left side menu.
Now repeat the whole process, again and again, to add as many fields as you want in your PDF to make it fillable.
After making the PDF fillable, you will see that the color of the fillable boxes will be blue.
So to give your fillable PDF a professional look, you have to change the color of the fillable boxes.
To do that, click on the fillable box. As a result of which a new menu on the right-hand side will appear in front of you.
Scroll down to find the ‘Background Color’ button and then click on it. Now drag the slider towards the ‘White Color’ to make your fillable box invisible.
Follow the above step to make all the fillable boxes invisible or transparent.
3. Download Your Filled PDF
After filling in your PDF, click on the ‘Download/Export’ button from the top right corner of the screen.
It will give you many downloading options, but I want to download the filled PDF on my computer. So, I will click on the ‘Computer’ button.
And then on the ‘Download’ button at the end to start the downloading process.
FAQ- How To Make an Editable PDF in Canva
Below are a few frequently asked questions:
1. How Do I Convert a PDF To An Editable PDF In Canva?
To convert a PDF to an editable PDF, go to Dochub and then click on the ‘New Document’ button from the top left corner of the screen. Now click on the ‘Uploads’ button to upload your PDF from your computer.
Once the PDF is successfully uploaded, click on the ‘Manage Fields’ button from the top left corner of the screen. And then add different fillable fields like the text field and checkbox field from the left side menu to your PDF.
Lastly, click on the ‘Download/Export’ button to save your updated PDF.
2. How Do I Convert a Canva PDF To An Editable Word Document?
To convert a Canva PDF to an editable Word document, first, save your Canva PDF on your computer and then go to ilovepdf.com and click on the ‘PDF To Word’ button from the home page.
Now PDF to Word converter will open, click on the ‘Select a PDF file’ button to select your previously saved Canva PDF from your computer and then on the ‘Convert To Word’ button to convert your Canva PDF to an editable Word document.
Before You Leave
Now you know how to quickly turn your Canva designs into editable PDFs using Dochub.
Whether you need to create a simple feedback form or complex school worksheets. This combo of Canva and Dochub always comes in handy.
Being able to fill and update your PDFs directly will be a total game-changer for you.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m always happy to help fellow Canva users streamline their work.
Thank You