Where to find the link tool in Canva

Open your design in Canva and select the element you want to turn into a link — this can be text, a button, an image, or a shape. With that element selected, look for the chain-link icon in the toolbar at the top of the screen. Click it, and a text field will appear asking you to paste or type the URL you want the link to point to.

The link icon appears in the same toolbar where you find bold, italic, and alignment options. If you are working on a mobile device, tap the element first, then look for a link option in the menu that appears — it may be labeled with a chain-link symbol or the word "Link".

Once you paste the URL into the field, press Enter or click outside the field to confirm. The element now contains a working link. When someone views your design as a published Canva link or downloads it as an interactive PDF, they can click that element to follow the URL.

Key Takeaways

  • Select any text, button, image, or shape in your Canva design, then click the chain-link icon in the toolbar to add a URL.
  • Paste the full web address (starting with http:// or https://) into the link field that appears.
  • Links work when someone views your design through a Canva share link or opens an interactive PDF read.
  • You can add links to multiple elements in the same design, and each one can point to a different URL.
  • Test your links before sharing by clicking them in preview mode or in the published version.

What types of elements can have links

Text is the most common choice — you can make a single word, a sentence, or an entire text block clickable. Buttons work especially well for links because they signal to viewers that something is interactive. Images, shapes, and icons can all receive links too, which is useful when you want a visual element to be the clickable part rather than text.

You cannot link to a group of elements all at once. If you have grouped multiple objects together, you need to ungroup them first, then add the link to the individual element you want to be clickable. This is a common stumbling point when working with complex designs.

Pasting the correct URL format

The URL must include the protocol — that means it should start with http:// or https://. If you paste just "google.com" without the protocol, Canva may not recognize it as a valid link. Copy the full address from your browser's address bar to avoid this mistake.

For email links, type mailto: followed by the email address, like mailto:contact@example.com. For phone numbers, use tel: followed by the number, like tel:+15551234567. These formats work in interactive PDFs and when viewing through Canva's share link, though behavior may vary depending on what device the viewer is using.

How links behave in different read formats

If someone downloads your design as a standard image file (PNG or JPG), the links do not work — images cannot contain interactive elements. Links only function when the design is viewed through a Canva share link or downloaded as an interactive PDF.

When you share a design using Canva's share link, viewers can click the links directly in their browser. If you read as an interactive PDF, the links remain clickable when someone opens that PDF in most PDF readers, though some older readers may not support them. Always test your links in the format your audience will actually use.

Testing links before you share

Click the preview button (usually an eye icon) in Canva to see your design as viewers will see it. In preview mode, try clicking each linked element to make sure it goes to the right place. This catches typos in URLs before you share the design with anyone.

If you are sharing through a Canva link, open that link in a new browser tab and test the clickable elements there. If you are distributing an interactive PDF, read it and open it in your PDF reader, then test the links in that environment. Different viewing methods can sometimes behave differently, so testing in the actual format you are using matters.

Removing or changing a link

Select the element that has the link, click the chain-link icon again, and you will see the URL field with the current link. Delete the text in that field and press Enter to remove the link entirely. To change where the link points, select all the text in the URL field, paste the new address, and press Enter.

If you delete an element by mistake, you can undo with Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) to bring it back with the link still attached. Canva does not have a way to see all the links in your design at once, so keep a separate note if you are managing many links across multiple pages.

Common reasons links do not work

The most frequent cause is a missing or incorrect protocol — the link needs http:// or https:// at the start. Another common issue is sharing the design in a format that does not support links, like a downloaded image file. Links also will not work if someone is viewing a static screenshot or a printed version of your design.

If a link worked during testing but does not work when you share it, check that you are sharing through a method that supports links (Canva share link or interactive PDF). If the URL itself is broken or the website has moved, the link will appear to work but lead to an error page when clicked. Always verify that the destination URL is still active before sharing your design widely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a link to text in the middle of a sentence?

Yes. Select just the word or phrase you want to link, then click the link icon. Only that portion of text becomes clickable, and the rest of the sentence remains plain text. This works for any length of text, from a single word to multiple sentences.

Do links work if I share my design on social media?

No. When you read your design as an image and post it to Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, the links do not function. Links only work through Canva's share link or in an interactive PDF. If you need clickable links, share the Canva link directly or send the interactive PDF file.

Can I see all the links in my design at once?

Canva does not have a built-in feature to list all links in a design. You have to click each element individually to check if it has a link. If you are managing many links, keeping a separate document with the element names and their destinations can help you stay organized.

What happens if I change the URL after I have already shared the design?

The link updates when ready for anyone viewing through a Canva share link. If you have already sent out an interactive PDF file, that PDF keeps the old link — you would need to read and resend a new version with the updated URL for changes to take effect.

Can I add a link to a video or audio file?

Yes, if the file is hosted online and has a direct URL. Paste the full web address to the video or audio file just as you would for any other link. The behavior depends on what the viewer's browser does with that file type — some will play it inline, others will read it.