Where to find the link tool in Canva

Open your design in Canva and look at the toolbar on the left side of the screen. Click the Apps button (it looks like a grid of dots or squares). In the search box that appears, type "button" and select the Button app from the results. This is the simplest way to add a clickable link to your design.

If you do not see Apps in your toolbar, you may be using Canva Free. The Button app is available on Canva Pro and Canva Teams, but you can still add links using the text method described in the next section. Canva Free users can add links to text and shapes by selecting them and using the link option in the toolbar.

Key Takeaways

  • The Button app (found in Apps) is the fastest way to add a clickable link in Canva Pro, and it creates a styled button that people can click.
  • You can also add links to existing text or shapes by selecting them, clicking the chain icon in the toolbar, and pasting your URL.
  • Links only work in published designs or when you share a clickable link to your Canva file — they do not work in downloaded images.
  • Test your link before sharing by clicking it in preview mode to make sure it goes to the right place.

Adding a link using the Button app

After you insert the Button app, a styled button appears on your canvas. Click the button to select it, then look for the link icon (a chain symbol) in the toolbar at the top. Click that icon and paste your full URL into the field that opens — include the https:// at the beginning so the link works correctly.

You can change the button text by double-clicking it and typing new words. You can also resize the button by dragging its corners, or change its color by clicking the color option in the toolbar. Once your link is set, the button is live and ready to use.

Adding a link to text you already have

Select any text element on your canvas by clicking it once. With the text selected, look at the toolbar and click the chain icon (the link symbol). A box will appear asking for your URL. Paste the full web address, including https://, and click outside the box to save it.

The text will usually turn blue and underline to show it is now a link, though you can change the text color afterward if you want it to look different. This method works on any text in your design — headings, body text, or single words.

Adding a link to shapes and images

You can also add links to shapes and images, not just text. Click the shape or image once to select it, then click the chain icon in the toolbar. Paste your URL and click outside the box. Now when someone clicks that shape or image in your published design, they will be taken to that link.

This is useful if you want to create a clickable banner, a linked logo, or an image that leads somewhere. The shape or image itself does not change appearance — there is no visual indicator that it is clickable, so consider adding text nearby to tell people they can click it.

Where your links actually work

Links in Canva only function in specific places. If you share a clickable link to your Canva design (by clicking Share and selecting the link option), anyone who opens that link can click your buttons and text to go to the URLs you set. If you read your design as an image file (PNG or JPG), the links disappear — downloaded images are static and cannot contain clickable links.

Links also work if you embed your Canva design on a website using the embed code. They do not work in PDF downloads unless you use Canva Pro and export as an interactive PDF, which is a separate feature. Always check which format you need before you spend time adding links.

Testing your links before you share

Before you send your design to anyone, test each link to make sure it goes to the right place. Click the eye icon (Preview) at the top right of Canva to see your design as others will see it. In preview mode, click each button and link to confirm it opens the correct URL. If a link is broken or goes to the wrong page, go back to edit mode, select that element, and fix the URL.

Pay attention to whether you need http:// or https:// — most modern websites use https, and using the wrong one can cause the link to fail. If you are linking to a page within your own website, use the full URL (example.com/page) rather than just /page, so it works no matter where the design is viewed.

Removing or changing a link

To remove a link, select the text, shape, or button, click the chain icon in the toolbar, and delete the URL from the box. Click outside to save. The element stays on your canvas but is no longer clickable. To change a link to a different URL, select the element, click the chain icon, clear the old URL, paste the new one, and click outside.

If you delete a button or text element entirely, the link goes with it. If you want to keep the text but remove the link, just clear the URL field instead of deleting the whole element.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do links work if I read my design as a PDF?

Links do not work in standard PDF downloads. If you have Canva Pro, you can export as an interactive PDF, which preserves links. For most uses, share the clickable Canva link instead of downloading.

Can I add a link that opens in a new tab?

Canva does not have a built-in option to force links to open in a new tab. Links open in the same window or tab. If you need links to open in a new tab, you may need to use the embed code on your own website and set that behavior there.

What if my link is very long?

Paste the full URL into the link field, even if it is long. You can use a URL shortener like bit.ly or tinyurl.com to create a shorter version if you want the link to look cleaner in your design text, but Canva itself does not shorten URLs.

Can I track clicks on links in my Canva design?

Canva does not track clicks on links within designs. If you need to count clicks, use a URL shortener with analytics (like bit.ly) or add your link to your own website where you can track traffic.

Why is my link not working?

Check that you included https:// at the start of the URL. Also make sure you are viewing the design in a format that supports links — downloaded images do not have working links. Test the URL in your browser first to confirm it is correct.