Where to find the link tool and what it does

Canva's link feature lets you turn any text, shape, button, or image into a clickable link that takes viewers to a website, email address, or phone number. When you publish your design—whether as a shared link, PDF, or social media post—anyone who clicks that element will go where you sent them.

The link tool lives in the toolbar on the left side of the editor. Look for the chain-link icon, or search "link" in the search bar at the top of the left panel. You can also right-click any element on your canvas and select "Add link" from the menu that appears.

Links work on text, buttons, shapes, images, and groups of elements. They do not work on video or audio files you've embedded. The link itself is invisible—only the element you attach it to shows on the canvas.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the element you want to link (text, button, image, or shape), then click the chain-link icon in the left toolbar or right-click and choose "Add link".
  • Paste the full URL (starting with https://), an email address (mailto:yourname@example.com), or a phone number (tel:+1234567890) into the link field.
  • Test your link before sharing by clicking the preview button or publishing a draft version to check that it goes to the right place.
  • Links in PDFs, images, and social media posts work only if you share the design as a clickable link or embed it on a website—static image files do not carry clickable links.
  • You can edit or remove a link by selecting the element again, clicking the link icon, and either changing the URL or deleting it.

How to add a link to text or a button

Select the text box or button on your canvas. If you're adding a link to text that's already there, click once on the text element to select it. If you're creating a new button, use Canva's button templates (search "button" in the left panel) or create a shape and add text on top of it.

Once the element is selected, click the chain-link icon in the left toolbar. A field will appear asking for the URL or link destination. Paste the full web address (for example, https://www.example.com) or type an email address in the format mailto:name@example.com. If you want the link to open an email, Canva will auto-format it for you.

Press Enter or click outside the field to save the link. The element will now be clickable when someone views your published design.

Adding links to images and shapes

Images and shapes work the same way as text. Click the image or shape on your canvas to select it, then click the chain-link icon in the toolbar. Enter the URL, email, or phone number (in the format tel:+1234567890 for phone links), and press Enter.

This is useful for creating interactive infographics, clickable product catalogs, or social media graphics where different sections link to different pages. You can link multiple images or shapes to different destinations on the same design.

Testing your links before you share

Links do not work in the Canva editor itself—you have to publish or preview the design to test them. Click the "Share" button in the top right, then select "Get link" to generate a shareable URL. Open that link in a new browser tab and click the elements you've linked to make sure they go to the right place.

If you're exporting as a PDF, read a test copy and open it in your PDF reader. Some PDF readers do not support links, so test in the reader you plan to use. If you're posting to social media, publish a draft version and test the link from there.

When links work and when they don't

Links are active in Canva's shareable links, embedded designs, and PDFs that you read. If you export your design as a static image file (PNG or JPG), the links will not work—those formats do not support clickable elements. The same is true if you screenshot a design or print it to paper.

If you're sharing a design on social media, links only work if you post the Canva link itself or embed the design on a website using Canva's embed code. If you read the design as an image and upload it to Instagram or Facebook, the links will be lost.

For email campaigns, links work in HTML emails but not in plain text. If you're sending a design as an attachment, convert it to a PDF and test it in your email client first.

Editing or removing a link

To change a link, select the element again and click the chain-link icon. The current URL will appear in the field. Delete it and paste the new one, then press Enter. To remove a link entirely, select the element, click the chain-link icon, and delete the URL. The element will stay on your canvas but will no longer be clickable.

If you've linked a group of elements (multiple shapes or text boxes grouped together), the entire group becomes one clickable area. If you need different parts of the group to link to different places, ungroup them first by right-clicking and selecting "Ungroup", then add links to each element separately.

Tracking clicks and analytics

Canva's free version does not track how many times someone clicks a link in your design. If you need click data, you can use a URL shortener like Bit.ly or TinyURL before pasting the link into Canva. These services show you how many clicks each link received.

Canva's paid plans (Pro and Teams) include basic analytics for shared designs, but these show overall views, not individual link clicks. For detailed link tracking, use your website's analytics tool (like Google Analytics) to see traffic from Canva links, or use a dedicated link tracker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link to a different page within the same Canva design?

No. Canva links only go to external URLs, email addresses, or phone numbers. You cannot create internal navigation between pages in a multi-page Canva document. If you need that, you would have to export each page separately and link them as individual files.

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

The link updates when ready for anyone who clicks it after you make the change. If you've already shared the design link, people who click the element will go to the new destination. There is no version history, so make sure the new link is correct before saving.

Can I add a link that opens in a new tab instead of the same window?

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 by default. If you need links to open in a new tab, you would have to use the embed code on your own website and edit the HTML to add target="_blank" to the link.

Do links work if I share a Canva design as a PDF with someone?

Yes, if the person opens the PDF in a web browser or a PDF reader that supports links (most modern ones do). If they open it in an older PDF reader or print it, the links will not work. Test your PDF in the reader your audience will use before sending it.

Can I see which links are in my design without clicking each one?

Not in the editor. You have to select each element individually to see if it has a link. If you have many linked elements, write them down or take a screenshot of the link field as you go through them, so you have a record of what links to where.