How to Record on Canva: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

How to Record on Canva?

At Designers Choice, we know the feeling of having a great idea but not knowing the best way to share it. We have all been there.

You have a vision, but the technical part feels hard. That is why we built this space—to help you turn those ideas into real projects.

Our goal is to make design simple and fun for everyone.

Whether you are a student, a teacher, or just someone who loves to create, we want to help you make your best work.

Today, we are going to talk about a very useful skill: how to record on canva. You might think you need a fancy recording studio or expensive equipment to make a video.

But you do not. You have a powerful tool right in your web browser.

Canva is not just for making posters or slides. It is also a great place to record videos.

You can record your screen, your face, or just your voice. It is perfect for making a tutorial, a school project, or a quick message for a friend.

In this guide, we will walk you through every step. We will show you little tricks to make your audio sound clear and your video look great.

We want you to feel confident when you hit that start recording button. Let’s jump in and learn how to share your voice with the world.

Why You Should Learn How to Record on Canva?

Why You Should Learn How to Record on Canva?

Recording videos might seem like a big task, but it is very useful.

When you learn how to record on Canva, you unlock a new way to communicate. You do not need to switch between different apps like

Zoom or Loom just to make a quick video. You can do it all in one place. This saves time and keeps your creative flow going.

Video is powerful. It grabs attention in a way that text cannot. When people hear your voice or see your face, they connect with you.

This is true for school, work, and fun personal projects. Let’s look at who can benefit from this feature.

Benefits For Educators and Students

For teachers, recording lessons is a game-changer.

You can create a Canva presentation and record your voice explaining the slides. This is great for students who need to review the lesson later.

You can pause, explain a difficult concept, and then move on. It makes learning personal, even when you are not in the classroom.

For students, this feature is amazing for homework. Instead of just handing in a paper, you can turn in a video.

Imagine you have a book report.

You can make slides about the book and then use the Canva recording studio to talk about your favorite parts. You can show your face to look professional or just record your voice if you are shy. It makes assignments more fun and creative. Plus, it is a great skill to show your teachers.

Creating Engaging Social Media Content

If you want to grow on social media, you need video.

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube love video content. Learning how to record on Canva helps you make posts that stand out.

You do not need a separate video editor. You can record a reaction video, a how-to guide, or a story right in your Canva account.

You can use templates to make your video look nice before you even start.

Maybe you want to show a cooking recipe. You can record your screen showing the recipe steps while you talk about the ingredients.

Or you can record yourself talking about a new product.

The best part is that you can add stickers, text, and music right after you finish recording. It makes content creation very fast.

Streamlining Business Presentations

In the business world, time is money.

Sometimes, you cannot get everyone in the same room for a meeting. That is where recording comes in handy.

You can record a pitch deck or a monthly report and send it to your team. They can watch it when they have time.

This ensures that your message is heard exactly how you want it. When you send a PDF, you do not know if people read it.

But when you send a video with narration, you guide them through the information. You can point out the important numbers and explain what they mean. It makes you look prepared and professional. It also stops endless email chains because you answered the questions in the video.

Method 1: How to Record on Canva For Presentations (Talking Head)

Method 1: How to Record on Canva For Presentations (Talking Head)

This is the best method if you want to teach something or present slides.

It is often called a “talking head” video because your face appears in a small circle while your slides show on the big screen.

It is very popular for courses and YouTube videos.

Opening the Presentation Studio

First, you need to log in to your Canva account.

If you do not have one, you can sign up for free. Once you are in, open the design you want to present. This is usually a presentation with slides (16:9 format). Look at the top right corner of your screen. You will see a button that says “Present.” Click on that.

A menu will drop down with a few options. You want to look for the option that says “Present and record.” If you do not see it right away, you might need to click on the three dots menu to find it.

Once you click “Present and record,” a blue button will appear that says “Go to recording studio.” Click that button.

This will take you to a special mode where you can set up your video. It looks like a real recording studio right on your computer.

Setting Up Your Camera and Microphone

Now, Canva needs to see and hear you. Your browser will ask for permission to use your camera and microphone.

You must click “Allow.” If you click “Block,” it will not work. You will see a preview of yourself on the screen.

This is the time to check how you look. Is the light good? Is your background messy? Fix these things now. You will also see a bar that moves when you talk. This is your audio level. Speak a few words to make sure the blue bar moves. If it stays flat, your mic is not working.

You can choose which camera and mic to use from the drop-down menus.

If you have an external USB microphone, select it here for better sound. If you want to know how to record your voice on Canva without a camera, you can select “No Camera” in the camera menu. Then, only your voice will be recorded.

Using the “Present and Record” Feature

When you are ready, look for the red “Start Recording” button. Click it. You will see a countdown: 3, 2, 1. Then, you are live!

As you record, you will see your slides in the middle. On the side, you might see your notes if you wrote any. The people watching your video will only see the slides and your face in a bubble. They will not see your notes.

This is a great trick to help you remember what to say.

To move to the next slide, click the arrows or use the arrow keys on your keyboard. Speak clearly and look at the camera lens, not at yourself on the screen. This helps you connect with the viewer.

Pausing and Resuming Your Recording

Sometimes, you might cough or lose your place. Do not worry. You can pause the recording. Look for the “Pause” button near the timer.

Click it to stop the recording temporarily.

Take a deep breath, drink some water, or check your notes.

When you are ready to go again, click “Resume.” The recording will pick up right where you left off. This makes it easy to fix mistakes without starting all over again. You do not have to be perfect in one take.

Method 2: How to Record on Canva Using the Screen Recorder

Method 2: How to Record on Canva Using the Screen Recorder?

This second method is great if you want to show a website, a document, or just record a quick message without slides. It is very flexible.

Accessing the Uploads Tab to Start Recording

To use this method, open any design in Canva. It can be a video blank canvas, a social media post, or a presentation.

Look at the black sidebar on the left side of the screen. Click on the tab that says Uploads. This is usually where you upload photos.

But there is another button here. Look for the button that says “Record yourself.” It is usually purple.

Click “Record yourself.” This will open a new window. It looks a bit like the presentation studio, but it gives you more choices on what to record.

Choosing Between Camera, Screen, Or Both

In this window, you have three main icons at the top or bottom.

You can choose to record just your camera, just your screen, or both at the same time. If you want to make a connection with your audience, choose the camera.

If you want to show a tutorial on how to use a website, choose the screen. If you want to do both—show the screen while you talk in the corner—choose the option that shows a screen with a small person icon.

Many people ask Canva record yourself not showing. To do this, simply choose the “Screen” option and make sure the camera icon is turned off.

Then, Canva will only record what is on your monitor and your voice.

Selecting A Chrome Tab, Window, Or Entire Screen

If you choose to record your screen, your computer will ask you what exactly you want to share. You will see three tabs:

  • Chrome Tab: This is best if you only want to show one specific website. It is the cleanest option because it hides your other open tabs and your computer taskbar.
  • Window: This records one specific app that is open, like a Word document or a PDF reader.
  • Entire Screen: This records everything on your monitor. If you switch between apps, the viewer sees it all. Be careful with this one so you do not accidentally show private information.

Select the one you want and click “Share.” Then, hit the red start recording button. Remember to speak clearly into your mic.

Editing Your Video After You Record on Canva

Editing Your Video After You Record on Canva

Once you finish recording, click “Done” and then “Save and Exit.” Your video will appear on your canvas.

Now comes the fun part: making it look perfect.

Trimming and Cutting Unwanted Footage

Sometimes the beginning or the end of your video has dead air. Maybe you were waiting to start speaking, or you fumbled to find the stop button.

You can remove this easily.

Click on your video to select it. Then, look at the scissors icon or the timeline at the bottom. You can drag the ends of the video clip inward.

This hides the parts you do not want. It is called trimming.

If you made a mistake in the middle, you can “split” the video. Move the Playhead line to the mistake, right-click, and choose “Split page” or “Split audio.” Then you can delete the bad part.

This helps keep your video smooth and interesting.

Adding Music and Sound Effects

Background music makes a video feel professional.

Go to the “Elements” tab on the left. Scroll down to “Audio.” You can search for “happy,” “calm,” or “corporate” music.

Drag the music file onto your timeline. Make sure the music is not too loud. You want people to hear your voice clearly.

Click on the music track, click the volume icon, and lower it to about 10% or 15%. This is one of those little tricks that makes a big difference.

You can also add audio files for sound effects, like a “pop” or “whoosh” sound when text appears. It keeps the viewer watching.

Positioning Your Camera Bubble Overlay

If you recorded your face and screen, your face appears in a circle or square. The cool thing about Canva is that this bubble is an element.

You can move it! If the bubble is covering important text on your slide, just click and drag it to a different corner.

You can also make it bigger or smaller.

You can even change the shape. Click on the bubble, go to “Effects” or “Shape,” and change it from a circle to a square or a star. This lets you customize how your presentation looks even after you recorded it.

How to Save and Share Your Canva Recording?

How to Save and Share Your Canva Recording?

You made a great video. Now you need to get it out of Canva and to your audience.

Downloading as an MP4 File

The most common way to save is as a video file. Click the “Share” button in the top right corner. Then click “Download.”

In the file type menu, make sure “MP4 Video” is selected. This is the best format for YouTube, Instagram, and almost every other site. Click the purple “Download” button. It might take a few minutes to render. This means Canva is putting all your audio clips and video parts together.

Once it finishes, the file will be in your computer’s “Downloads” folder.

Sharing Via A Viewable Link

If the file is too big to email, you can send a link instead. Click “Share” again. Look for the option that says “Public view link” or “View-only link.” Copy this link and send it to your teacher, boss, or friend.

When they click it, they can watch your video in their browser without downloading anything. They do not even need a Canva account to watch it.

This is very fast and easy.

FAQ’s:

Is It Free to Record Videos on Canva?

Yes, the recording feature is available for free users. You can record yourself, your screen, and your voice. Some special templates or music tracks might require a Pro account, but the basic recording tool is free for everyone.

Can I Record Audio Only, Without Video, In Canva?

Yes. You can use the “Uploads” tab, click “Record yourself,” and then turn off the camera. This is great for making a voiceover. Also, if you want to know how to record audio on Canva specifically, this is the way.

Can I Record My Screen and My Face At the Same Time?

Yes. When you choose the recording mode, select the option that shows both the screen and camera. Your face will appear in a small bubble over the screen content.

Is There A Time Limit When I Record on Canva?

Canva allows fairly long recordings, often up to 30 minutes or more, depending on your plan and browser stability. However, for the best performance, it is better to keep videos under 10-15 minutes. If you have a long presentation, try breaking it into smaller parts.

Where is the Record Feature Located in Canva’s Editor?

You can find it in two main places. First, under the “Uploads” tab on the left sidebar (click “Record yourself”). Second, inside the “Present” menu in the top right corner for presentations.

What File Formats Are Used For Recorded Audio and Video in Canva?

Videos are usually saved as MP4 files. If you only have audio, it might save as an M4A or MP3 file inside Canva, but when you download the final project, it is best to export as MP4 (video) or download the specific audio clip if needed.

Are There Any Limitations to Canva’s Recording Features I Should Know About?

You need a stable internet connection because Canva works in the browser. If your internet cuts out, you might lose your recording. Also, the editing tools are simple. If you need Hollywood-level effects, you might need a different software.

Why is my Microphone Or Camera Not Working in Canva?

This is usually a permission issue. Check the address bar in your browser. If you see a little lock icon or a camera icon with a red line, click it. You need to allow Canva to access your devices. Also, check your computer settings to ensure your mic is not muted.

Conclusion

We hope this guide helps you feel ready to create. Learning how to record on Canva opens up so many doors. You can share your knowledge, finish your homework in style, or pitch your next big business idea. It is a simple tool, but it is very powerful.

At Designers Choice, we believe that the best design tools are the ones that help you express yourself. You do not need to be a tech expert. You just need a message and a willingness to try. So, go to your Canva account, find that top right corner, and hit record.

Your audience is waiting to hear what you have to say. Happy creating!