Grouping lets you move, resize, and align multiple objects as one unit

When you have several shapes, text boxes, or images that belong together, grouping locks them in place relative to each other. Once grouped, you can move the whole set, resize it, rotate it, or change its transparency without the pieces shifting apart. This saves time when you're building a design with multiple layers — a logo made of shapes, a text block with a background box, or a set of icons arranged in a row.

Grouping is different from straightforward selecting multiple objects. When you select several things at once, you can move them together, but they stay independent. When you group them, they become one object that Canva treats as a single unit. You can ungroup them later if you need to edit individual pieces.

Key Takeaways

  • Select multiple objects by clicking the first one, then holding Shift and clicking each additional object you want to group.
  • Right-click the selection and choose Group, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+G (Windows) or Cmd+G (Mac).
  • Grouped objects move, resize, and rotate together, but you can still ungroup them to edit individual pieces.
  • You can group objects that are already inside groups, creating nested groups that help organize complex designs.
  • The alignment tools work on grouped objects the same way they work on individual ones.

How to select multiple objects before grouping

Start by clicking the first object you want to include in the group. It will show a blue outline with handles around it. Then hold down the Shift key and click each additional object. Each one you click will add to the selection, shown by a blue outline around all of them together.

If you want to select everything on your canvas, use Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac). If you want to deselect one object from a multi-object selection, hold Shift and click it again — it will disappear from the blue outline.

You can also drag a selection box around multiple objects. Click and drag from an empty area of the canvas, drawing a rectangle that touches all the objects you want to select. Any object the box touches will be included in the selection.

Creating the group with the right-click menu or keyboard

Once you have multiple objects selected, right-click anywhere on one of the selected objects. A menu will appear. Look for the option that says "Group" and click it. All the selected objects are now grouped into a single unit.

If you prefer the keyboard, press Ctrl+G on Windows or Cmd+G on Mac while your objects are selected. The result is the same — they become one group. The group will have a blue outline around it, and you can now move, resize, or rotate the entire group as if it were a single object.

Moving and resizing a grouped object

Once objects are grouped, click anywhere on the group to select it. A blue outline with corner and edge handles will appear around the entire group. Drag the group to move it anywhere on the canvas. The objects inside stay in the same positions relative to each other.

To resize the group, drag one of the corner handles outward to make it larger, or inward to make it smaller. Dragging a corner handle keeps the proportions the same. If you drag an edge handle (top, bottom, left, or right), you can stretch the group in one direction only.

To rotate the group, click it once to select it, then click it again. The handles will change to curved arrows. Drag one of these arrows to rotate the entire group. All the objects inside rotate together around the center point.

Ungrouping when you need to edit individual pieces

If you grouped objects but now need to change one of them, right-click the group and select "Ungroup". All the objects in that group will become separate again, and you can edit them individually. The objects stay in the same positions they were in while grouped.

You can also select just one object inside a group without ungrouping the whole thing. Double-click the group to enter it, and the objects inside will become selectable individually. Double-click again or click outside the group to exit and return to treating it as a single unit.

Grouping objects that are already grouped

You can group groups together, creating what designers call nested groups. This is useful when you have a complex design with several sections, each made of multiple objects. For example, you might have one group for a header (logo plus text), another group for a sidebar (several icons), and a third group for the main content area.

To create a nested group, select multiple groups using Shift+click, then right-click and choose Group. The groups stay organized inside the larger group. If you need to edit something deep inside, you can double-click to enter the nested group, then double-click again to go deeper.

Using alignment tools with grouped objects

The alignment tools in Canva work on grouped objects the same way they work on individual objects. Select the group, then use the alignment options (usually found in the right panel or by right-clicking) to align it to the canvas, to other objects, or to a grid if you have one enabled.

If you have multiple groups selected, you can align them relative to each other. For example, you can space three groups evenly across the canvas, or align them all to the left edge. This is faster than moving each group by hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I group objects from different layers?

Yes. Canva does not restrict grouping by layer. You can select and group objects from different layers, and they will move together as one unit. The group itself will appear on the layer of the topmost object in the group.

What happens to the colors or effects when I group objects?

Grouping does not change the colors, effects, or transparency of individual objects. Each object keeps its own properties. If you change the transparency of the group itself, it affects all objects inside equally, but ungrouping restores the original settings.

Can I copy a grouped object?

Yes. Select the group and use Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac) to copy it. Paste it with Ctrl+V or Cmd+V. The pasted copy is also grouped, and you can move it or edit it without affecting the original.

How do I select just one object inside a group without ungrouping?

Double-click the group to enter it. The objects inside become individually selectable. Click the object you want to edit. Make your changes, then click outside the group or press Escape to exit and return to the grouped view.

Can I lock a group so I do not accidentally move it?

Right-click the group and look for a lock icon or "Lock" option. This prevents the group from being moved, resized, or edited until you unlock it. It is useful when you have finished a section of your design and want to protect it from accidental changes.