Copy a position by duplicating the element instead of copying and pasting
Canva does not have a direct "copy position" feature. When you copy and paste an element, it lands in the center of your canvas or slightly offset from the original — not in the exact spot you copied it from. The fastest way to place something in the same position as another element is to duplicate it instead, which keeps the original placement and lets you edit the copy without moving it.
If you need multiple elements in identical positions (one on top of another, for example), duplication is your tool. If you need to move an element to match another element's position, you will need to drag it manually or use Canva's alignment features.
Key Takeaways
- Duplicating an element keeps it in the exact same spot as the original, while copy-paste places it in the center or with a small offset.
- Right-click any element and select Duplicate to create an identical copy in the same position.
- Use the alignment tools (top toolbar, Arrange menu) to line up elements horizontally or vertically after you have placed them.
- The lock icon in the layers panel prevents you from accidentally moving an element once it is positioned correctly.
How to duplicate an element in its exact position
Right-click the element you want to copy. A menu appears with several options. Select Duplicate from that menu. Canva creates an identical copy directly on top of the original element in the exact same position.
The duplicate is now selected (you will see the selection handles around it). You can when ready edit it — change the text, swap the color, resize it, or move it elsewhere. The original element stays in place underneath. If you want to see both the original and the duplicate, drag the duplicate to a new location.
You can also duplicate using the keyboard shortcut: select the element, then press Ctrl+D on Windows or Cmd+D on Mac. This is faster if you are duplicating many elements in a row.
Aligning elements to match positions
If you have already placed two elements in different spots and want to line them up, use Canva's alignment tools. Select the first element, then hold Shift and click the second element to select both. The top toolbar now shows alignment buttons: align left, align center, align right, align top, align middle, and align bottom.
Click the alignment button that matches what you need. For example, if you want both elements to line up vertically along their left edges, click the align-left button. If you want them centered horizontally on the page, click align-center. The elements move to match the alignment you chose.
You can also access these tools through the Arrange menu in the top toolbar. The menu shows the same alignment options plus distribute tools, which space multiple elements evenly across the canvas.
Using the layers panel to manage positions
The layers panel on the right side of the screen shows every element on your canvas in a list. Each layer represents one element. You can see the stacking order — which elements are in front and which are behind. This is useful when you have elements in the same position but need to know which one is on top.
Click any layer to select that element on the canvas. You can also drag layers up or down in the panel to change the stacking order without moving the element's position on the page. If an element is positioned correctly and you do not want to move it by accident, click the lock icon next to its layer name. The element is now locked and cannot be dragged or edited until you unlock it.
Why copy-paste does not preserve position
When you copy an element using Ctrl+C or Cmd+C and then paste it with Ctrl+V or Cmd+V, Canva places the pasted element in the center of your visible canvas area, or slightly offset from the original. This is by design — the paste function assumes you want to place the element somewhere new, not stack it on top of the original.
Copy-paste is useful when you want to move an element to a different page or project while keeping its properties (text, color, size). But if you need the element in the same position on the same page, duplication is always the right choice.
Copying position between different pages or projects
If you want to recreate an element's position on a different page within the same design, duplicate the element first, then cut it (Ctrl+X or Cmd+X) and navigate to the other page. Paste it there. The element lands in the center, so you will need to drag it to the correct position. Note the coordinates or use alignment tools to match the position from the original page.
For projects in different Canva files, there is no automatic way to copy position data. You can take a screenshot of the original layout for reference, then manually position the element on the new page by eye or by measuring. Some designers use guides or grids to help with consistent positioning across multiple projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy the position of one element and paste it onto another?
Not directly. Canva does not have a "paste position" command. Instead, select both elements, then use the alignment tools to line them up. This achieves the same result — both elements end up in matching positions.
What is the difference between duplicate and copy-paste?
Duplicate creates a copy in the exact same spot as the original. Copy-paste creates a copy in the center of the canvas or with a small offset. Use duplicate when you want to keep the position; use copy-paste when you want to move the element somewhere new.
How do I keep an element from moving after I position it?
Click the lock icon next to the element's name in the layers panel on the right. The element is now locked and cannot be dragged or edited. Unlock it by clicking the lock icon again when you need to make changes.
Can I copy position between two different Canva projects?
No. Position data does not transfer between projects. You can take a screenshot of the original layout as a reference, then manually position the element on the new page using alignment tools or by dragging it to match.