Ready to edit videos online but not sure where to start? Canva Video Editor now packs a punch with the latest V2 update. This beginner guide on how to edit video in Canva Video Editor lays out all the steps, from uploading clips to exporting your finished project.
Below is an AI-assisted summary of the key points and ideas covered in the video. For more detail, make sure to check out the full time stamped video above!
Getting Started in Canva
- Go to the Canva website and log in or create a free account.
- Once at the dashboard, click on the “Video” section.
- Pick a template for a quick start, or use a blank canvas for full creative control.
- Select your video format—landscape is great for YouTube.
- Templates can speed things up, but starting from scratch gives the most flexibility.
Uploading and Organizing Footage
- Click “Uploads” to add your video files.
- Use “Record Yourself” for new footage or to capture your screen (the screen recording option needs the Canva desktop app).
- Drag clips into the timeline at the bottom. The new timeline makes editing smooth, even on the cloud.
- Trim dead space by dragging the edges of your clips.
- Split clips (keyboard shortcut: S) to remove mistakes or awkward pauses. Use the delete button or right-click to remove sections.
- Rearrange clips easily with drag-and-drop.
- Add extra footage or B-roll as overlays by dragging them above your main video track for layered editing.
Accessing Canva’s Stock and AI Media
- Head to the “Elements” tab for a range of stock videos, photos, and graphics. Free items are marked; Pro items have a crown icon.
- Search for content or try Canva’s new AI video generation for unique visuals.
- Drag stock or AI-generated clips right into your timeline and trim them as needed.
Customizing Text, Titles, and Animations
- Click “Text” to add titles or captions, choosing from basic, brand kit, or animated templates.
- Customize font, size, color, and animation style in the “Animate” tab.
- Move, stretch, or split text clips on your timeline for perfect timing and placement.
Adding Transitions, Zooms, and Effects
- Hover between two clips in the timeline to add transitions like “Chop” or fades. Set the duration and style, or apply transitions between all cuts.
- For a pro, YouTube-style look, skip transitions and zoom in on alternate clips to create a camera angle change. Use the crop tool or stack clips for more control.
- Add effects like background removal (Pro only), scaling, rotating, and positioning clips.
- Extra video tools like upscaling or reversing are available under “Apps.”
Working with Music and Audio
- Upload your own music or use Canva’s built-in audio library (selection depends on your plan).
- Drag audio into the timeline. Canva automatically trims it to your video length.
- Adjust individual clip volumes, or use “Balance All” for AI-powered volume leveling.
- Clean up noisy audio with “Enhance Voice” (Pro feature) in audio tools.
- For more music tracks, check out Epidemic Sound.
Fine-Tuning with Filters and Adjustments
- Select a clip and choose “Edit” to apply filters. Adjust intensity to match your style.
- Use the “Adjust” panel for brightness, contrast, and color tweaks.
- The auto-adjust tool quickly optimizes a clip using AI, but manual tweaks are still easy.
- Note: Visual adjustments can only be applied one clip at a time. For now, edits need to be applied individually or before splitting footage.
Previewing and Exporting Your Video
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Preview your edit in full-screen mode to check for issues.
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When satisfied, click “Share” to export:
- Download as MP4 (1080p is default; 4K is Pro only)
- Share directly to YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or send a review link
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Pick your export quality and you’re done—remember, done is better than perfect!
Canva Video Editing: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy-to-use, timeline-based editing
- Good stock and AI media options
- Fast, cloud-based performance with autosave
- Solid effects, audio tools, and transitions
- Brand kit support for cohesive visuals
Cons:
- Some features (4K export, audio cleanup, background remover) need a Pro plan
- No universal “apply adjustment to all” for visual changes
- Limited advanced editing features (like multicam or pro color grading)
Take Your Canva Videos to the Next Level
Editing video in Canva Video Editor is a smart choice for anyone who’s after fast, professional results without the learning curve. Use templates and AI tools for quick wins, keep your workflow simple, and remember: small improvements add up over time. Jump in, experiment, and keep leveling up!
