3 Easy Ways To Add Page Numbers In Canva Designs

Want to know the various ways to add page numbers to your Canva designs? Find out how in this step-by-step guide now.

Ways To Add Page Numbers In Canva

The best way to add page numbers in Canva is to create them automatically with third-party tools in one document file. Then, save the file as a PDF, and import the PDF to Canva. Your page numbers are still editable and customizable in Canva.

The good news is, this isn’t the only way to add page numbers in Canva. Here are the different ways and steps to do that:

Method 1: Import PDF

In this method, I will use Word Document to auto-generate page numbers first since most of you have Word Document software already on your desktop. Otherwise, Google Docs also works the same way.

Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Create Doc

Start a new blank document in Word Document.

Go to the top menu bar and select View > Print Layout.

Step 2: Add Page Numbers

Then, go to the Ribbon menu bar, select Insert.

On the right side, select the Page Numbers button.

In the Page Numbers dialog box, select your preferred page number settings for all pages. In this example, I’ve selected the position as the Bottom Of Page or Footer and Alignment to the Right.

Click the OK button.

You will see the page number appear on the page.

Step 3: Add Pages

Next, also under the Insert section, go to the left side of the Ribbon and click on Page Break to create the second page. Generate as many pages as you want by clicking on Page Break repeatedly.

You will see page numbers appear on all pages in ascending order.

Step 4: Save As PDF

Once you have the number of page numbers you want. Go to the top bar menu, select File > Save As.

Name your file in the dialog box, select a location on your desktop to save it, go to File Format, and select PDF. Then select the Export button.

Step 5: Import To Canva

Open up your Canva app, in the dashboard, select the Create A Design button.

Then, scroll down to the bottom and click on the Import File button.

In the dialog box, locate the PDF you saved from the Word Document earlier.

Click on the Open button.

Wait a few seconds for your PDF to load in Canva. Under Recent Designs, you will see a blue-purple bar animation.

There will also be a notice in a black banner that says Importing Your File. Once both items disappear, it means your PDF file is ready for use.

Click on the PDF once and it will open up in a Canva design canvas.

Step 6: Edit Page Numbers

At this point, your PDF created with Word Document is opened up in Canva. All the pages and page numbers will show up.

You can use any of the text functions available in the Canva editor toolbar. Yes! You can edit your page numbers to change font, font weight, colors, size, add effects, animate them, and more.

Method 2: Bulk Create (Canva Pro)

Bulk Create is an app or plugin found within Canva. It’s not part of their typical features, but an extension that creates an action multiple times at one go. You will have to sign up for Canva Pro or be in a paid subscription to access it.

Don’t wish to subscribe as a Pro user? You can sign up for Canva Pro free trial to use it for one month before canceling or carrying on with the subscription. This is one way to use this method if you are wondering how to add page numbers in Canva for free.

Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Prepare Your Canva Document

Log in to your Canva account and open the multi-page document you wish to add page numbers to.

Add a text box to the first page at a position where you wish to have the page number.

In my example here, I typed out the word “PAGE” in the text box and place it at the bottom right of the first page. You can use a number or any text will do.

Make sure the size of the text box is big enough to contain double-digit or even triple-digit page numbers, depending on how many pages you want to have.

Step 2: Access the Bulk Create Feature

On the left sidebar, click on the Apps button. It has an icon of 9 squares. From the dropdown menu, select Bulk Create.

In the same panel under Add Your Data, select the Enter Data Manually button.

Step 3: Set Up Your Page Numbers

In the Bulk Create panel on the left, you’ll see a box where you can type or insert dynamic data.

Type “1” in the first box under Add Text in the first column. This will represent your first-page number.

Carry on to type 2 in the following line. Then do the same for numbers 3, 4,5, and so on until the last page number. Each number in each row.

Step 4: Connect Data

Once you’ve positioned and styled your page number with the font and color you want on the first page, select the Done button.

Then, right-click on the Page number text box.

Then, select Connect Data > Page in the drop-down menu.

Step 5: Apply to All Pages

In the left side panel, click on the Continue button.

Select the pages you’d like to apply the page numbers, then click the Generate Pages button.

The Bulk Create feature will automatically apply this to all pages, using the subsequent numbers you added in Step 4.

Scroll through each page of your document to ensure that the page numbers have been applied consistently and are in the correct sequence.

Adjust any misalignments or errors if needed.

Method 3: Add Manually

This is a legitimate method because it works 100%. But it is also the slowest and most tedious way to add page numbers to your Canva design. Before writing out this method, I wasn’t so sure if anyone would need help on this, because it’s so straightforward.

But if you are a complete beginner to designing on Canva, no worries, here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Set Up Page Number

On the left sidebar, click on the Text tab.

Choose a text box style or simply click on “Add a heading” or “Add a little bit of body text.”

Add a text box and type in the first-page number, for example, “01” into the text box.

Adjust the font, weight, and color to match your design.

Step 2: Align Page Number

Open up the ruler by using the keyboard shortcut Shift + R for both Mac and Windows.

Drag the horizontal and vertical guides from the ruler to help you position your page number text box more accurately relative to other design elements.

Step 3: Apply To All Pages

Start duplicating the first page that has the first-page number as many times as you need.

Go to each page to change the page number respectively, for example, change the page number on the second page to “02”, the page number on the third page to “03” and so on.

Add Page Numbers In Canva FAQs

Then, save the document with page numbers as a PDF file. Import the PDF to Canva. You will have editable page numbers on all pages ready to add your design elements.

Another way is to use Bulk Create in Canva Pro to set up all page numbers in Canva with a table and automatically generate them on all pages.

Or, use Bulk Create in Canva Pro to set up all page numbers in a table and automatically generate them on all pages.

Or, add a text box, type in the page number to one page in Canva, then duplicate the page to as many pages as you want and change the text in the text box on every page to the respective page number.

Or, use Bulk Create in Canva Pro to set up all footer content in a table and automatically generate them on all pages.

Click on the list button twice. The first time you click on it, your text will change to a bullet list. The second time you click on it will change it to a numbered list.

If your text only has one numbered point, this is because all your text is in one paragraph. Split them up into several lines by clicking on any part of the paragraph.

Press enter and the line of text will be shifted below the first line, which will be point number #2. Repeat this step on another batch of text to create point number #3.

You will see the superscript appear inside your text box. You can adjust the color and style of the superscript with Canva’s text editor.

Do use the internet browser to add upper numbers as this method does not work on Canva app.

However, in Canva, you can create templates or duplicate pages to achieve a similar effect, but these don’t function as true master pages where changes to the master would reflect on all linked pages.

Here are steps you can take to create master-like templates in Canva:

1. Create Your Design: Start with designing a page that you want to serve as your “master” template. This might include elements like headers, footers, logos, or any other consistent design features.

2. Duplicate the Page: Once you’ve set up your design, click the duplicate page icon (usually represented by two overlapping rectangles) located below your design workspace. This will create a copy of your design, allowing you to maintain consistent elements across multiple pages.

3. Modify as Needed: With the duplicated page, you can then modify the unique content while keeping the consistent design elements in place.

4. Repeat: If you have more pages to add, simply duplicate the template page again and modify the content as needed.

Note: Keep in mind that if you make changes to your original “master” design after duplicating, those changes won’t automatically reflect on the duplicated pages. You’ll need to manually update each page or duplicate the updated master again.

1. Performance: As you approach this limit, especially with content-rich designs, you might notice a decrease in performance. It’s always a good idea to save your work frequently.
2. Splitting Designs: If your project exceeds 200 pages, consider splitting it into multiple Canva design files. This can also make the design process more manageable and reduce potential performance issues.
3. Updates: Canva frequently updates its platform with new features and adjustments. It’s possible they could change this limit in the future.

If you’re working on large projects and find the 200-page limit restrictive, you might consider using other design software that caters more to extensive publications. However, for the majority of users, the 200-page limit is ample.

Step 1: Open Your Design

• Navigate to the Canva website.
• Log in to your account.
• Start a new design or open an existing one.

Step 2: Access the Layouts Tab

• On the left sidebar, you’ll see various tabs. Click on the one labeled “Layouts.”

Step 3: Browse Available Layouts

• Once you click on “Layouts,” you’ll see a variety of pre-designed layouts tailored to the type of design you’re working on (e.g., presentations, social media posts, or posters).
• Scroll through the options to find one that matches your desired aesthetic or content needs.

Step 4: Add the Layout to Your Design

• To add a layout, simply click on it. It will automatically be placed onto your current page in the design.
• If you’re working with a multi-page design, ensure you’re on the correct page before adding the layout.

Step 5: Customize the Layout

• Once the layout is on your design canvas, you can:
  • Click on individual elements to adjust them.
  • Drag to reposition items.
  • Change colors, fonts, and images as needed.

Step 6: Adjust and Finalize

• Continue to adjust and customize the layout until it fits your vision.
• Add additional elements, text, or images if needed.

Note: Layouts in Canva are designed to be flexible. While they offer a foundational design structure, every aspect can be adjusted to fit your specific needs.

Using layouts is a great way to achieve professional-looking designs quickly, especially if you’re unsure about starting from a blank canvas.

After creating your form in Canva, connect your Typeform account to Canva by clicking the Share button on the top right corner. Then click the More button at the bottom of the drop-down panel.

Select Typeform and click on the Use button to access and embed fillable forms into various Canva designs, such as websites, presentations, or whiteboards.

When you share your design online, viewers can complete the form. All responses are captured and saved in your connected Typeform account.

Besides Typeform, you can download your design as PDF first, and use another tool to add the fillable fields to your PDF file. Here are the steps:

1. Design in Canva:

• Start by designing your document in Canva as you normally would.
• Leave spaces where you intend to place fillable fields.

2. Download as PDF:

• Once your design is complete, click the “Download” button in Canva.
• Choose the PDF format for download.

3. Use a PDF Editor:

• Open the downloaded PDF in a PDF editing tool that allows you to add fillable fields. Some popular options include Adobe Acrobat Pro, PDFescape, and Foxit PhantomPDF.

4. Add Fillable Fields:

• In your PDF editor, use the tool’s features to add fillable text boxes, checkboxes, or other interactive elements where you left spaces in your Canva design.

5. Save and Distribute:

• Once you’ve added all desired fillable fields, save the PDF.
• You can then distribute the interactive PDF as needed.