Canva doesn’t have an automatic option to add page numbers, but you can add them manually and create custom page numbers that will match your design style. Start by adding a “Text” box to your design, with a number inside it. Place it in one of the corners of the design frame and duplicate it to keep the order for the following pages.
My name is Yana and I work with content daily using Canva. I occasionally need to add a page number to keep my design organized and sometimes it is needed for design purposes. I experimented with different ways to do it, so I’m pretty familiar with how to do it.
In this post, you’ll learn three different ways to add a page number to your design in Canva and share some design ideas. I will also cover how to do it using a mobile device.
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Key Takeaways
- There are a few methods to manually add page numbers in Canva: using a Text box, pre-saved graphic elements, or creating customized page numbers.
- You can change the appearance of your page numbers by adjusting the font, size, color, and alignment.
- You also can control the position of the page numbers by using the Ruler tool.
How to Add Page Numbers in Canva Web
As I mentioned before, there are several ways to add page numbers in Canva. Let’s start with the easiest one.
Method #1: Add a Text Box
For this method, we will need to place a text box with a number inside. Select a page in the existing design file or create a new one.
Step 1. Now, press the “T” key to place a text box to your design Canva and start customizing it. You also can choose the Text box from the toolbar panel on the left side of the screen and select one of the templates you like.
Step 2. When you add a text box to the page, type a number of the page, and place it in one of the corners. You can customize the color, size, and font style or add effects to your number. You also can highlight the text by adding a background effect.
Step 3. To add the next page with the following number, duplicate the existing page by clicking on the Duplicate button on the top of the design frame. This way the copy will have a page number in the same position. Keep doing that as many times, as many pages as you need, or manually change the number for each page.
Tip: If you would like to make some changes to the numbers, hold Shift and select all of the numbers, then customize them so that the changes apply to all of the elements.
Method #2: Add Graphic Numbers
This method allows you to add some pre-saved graphics elements. Let’s take a look at a few different options available in Canva.
Step 1. In the Editor mode, find the Elements button on the left side of the screen. Type “numbers” in the search field and you will see some graphic elements that can be used for your design.
Step 2. You will see that some elements are only available for Canva Pro users, while others are free. Click on the style that works for you to add it to the page.
Step 3. Customize the number, size, and color, and place it in the position you want it to be. Duplicate a page as many times as you need for your project.
Tip: Use the Ruler tool to align the page numbers. To call out this tool, click on the File button in the top left corner of the screen, then click on View settings, and select Show rulers and guides. Now you will see rulers on top and from the left side of your design. Click and start dragging one of the sides to place the ruler on the design frame and align the objects.
Method #3: Create Customized Numbers
This method is the one with the most fun, but it would also take you a while to create a customized page number.
Step 1. Start by choosing a background for your future number element. It can be any shape or style. You can choose the element by looking at the graphics available in the Elements tab, on the left side of the screen. Place a background element in the design.
Step 2. Now add a text box with a number inside it. Use the “T” key to add text faster and start editing. Change the font style and color, or maybe even add some effects to your number. Place the number on top of the background and edit a position if needed. To do it, select the text and click on the More icon next to an object and select Bring forward action.
Step 3. Use your imagination to add more effects and elements to your page number element.
Step 4. Now you need to group all the elements of the page number together, so you can duplicate and use it for the next pages. Click on each graphic element while holding Shift and when all the elements are selected, hit the More icon and hit the Group button.
Now you can duplicate your unique design to the next pages. If you need to change the number inside your group, just click on it to edit the text box inside.
Tip: Use a search field to insert specific keywords that will help you to find the elements faster and easier.
How to Add Page Numbers in Canva Mobile
You also can edit or add page numbers to your design using a smartphone or tablet. It’s not going to be super easy due to the limited screen size, but you still can do it.
Method #1: Adding a Text Box
Use this simple method to add a page number with no hassle.
Step 1. Open an existing or new design file on your mobile device and hit the purple button on the bottom left corner to call out a main menu. Next, select the Text button and tap on the text box you would like to add to your design.
Step 2. After a text box is placed on the page, tap on it and start editing by selecting any of the options available in the bottom menu.
Step 3. Now you can duplicate the page with the page number and change it for each new page manually. To do it, tap on the More button with three icons, at the top of the screen and select View Settings. In the next window, choose Show Grid View and select the page that needs to be duplicated and tap the Duplicate button at the bottom of the screen.
Tip: While the Ruler tool is not available on the Canva app, you can use automatic margins that appear every time you are moving the objects on the design frame to align the elements.
Method #2: Adding Graphic Numbers
Following this guide, you will be able to add graphic number elements to your page.
Step 1. Tap on the purple button at the bottom of the screen to call out the menu and choose the Elements tab. Type “numbers” in the search input to see all the graphics available.
Step 2. Tap on the number you would like to use and place it by orienting it on the margins. Change its size or colors using the settings which can be found at the bottom of the screen.
Step 3. Now duplicate the page the way we discussed above and replace the number with the next one, using Canva graphic templates. Again, use margins to align the elements and place them correctly.
Method #3: Creating Unique Page Numbers
If you want to add customized page numbers, follow these steps below on how to do it.
Step 1. Add a background for your future number by hitting the purple button on the bottom of the screen and then searching through Canva graphic elements. Tap the one that works for you to add it to your design project.
Step 2. Now it is time for the number itself. Add a text by selecting a Text button in the bottom menu. Customize the font style, color, and style of the number so it’s matching the background element. You also can include more graphic elements to make your number even more interesting.
Step 3. Now you need to create a group so you can duplicate this element and use it on the next pages. Tap on the one of elements that need to be in the group and hit the More icon with three dots on top of it.
Now choose Select multiple and tap on each element you want to be included. Next hit the Group button which is also located at the bottom of the screen. Now you can easily move the page number without losing elements on the way, as well as duplicate and use it for the next pages.
Step 4. Duplicate the page, as we discussed before, by tapping the More button on the top of the screen and selecting View Settings. Next, choose Show Grid View, select the page that needs to be duplicated, and tap the Duplicate button at the bottom of the screen.
If you want to duplicate elements, just tap the Duplicate button that you can see next to the group.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, adding page numbers in Canva is not easy since you need to do everything manually including aligning the graphic elements and changing the numbers. But once you figure it out, the process won’t be that complicated.
Have you tried adding page numbers to your design in Canva? Don’t you think it would be much easier if Canva had a feature to do it automatically? Leave a comment and share your tricks and tips that helped you go through this process.
