If you haven't already, create a new app in the Developer Portal⁠(opens in a new tab or window). For more information, refer to our Quickstart guide.
In your app's configuration on the Developer Portal⁠(opens in a new tab or window), ensure the "Development URL" is set to http://localhost:8080.

Clone the starter kit:

git clone https://github.com/canva-sdks/canva-apps-sdk-starter-kit.git
cd canva-apps-sdk-starter-kit

SHELL

Install dependencies:
```
npm install
```
SHELL
Run the example:
```
npm run start drag_and_drop_video
```
SHELL
Click the Preview URL link shown in the terminal to open the example in the Canva editor.

Example app source code

// For usage information, see the README.md file.
import React from "react";
import { Rows, Text, Title, VideoCard } from "@canva/app-ui-kit";
import { upload } from "@canva/asset";
import type { VideoDragConfig } from "@canva/design";
import { ui } from "@canva/design";
import * as styles from "styles/components.css";
import { useFeatureSupport } from "utils/use_feature_support";
import { useAddElement } from "utils/use_add_element";

// Uploads a video asset to Canva using the upload API
const uploadVideo = () => {
  return upload({
    mimeType: "video/mp4",
    // Thumbnail image shown when video is not playing
    thumbnailImageUrl:
      "https://www.canva.dev/example-assets/video-import/beach-thumbnail-image.jpg",
    // Preview video for hover states and drag operations
    thumbnailVideoUrl:
      "https://www.canva.dev/example-assets/video-import/beach-thumbnail-video.mp4",
    type: "video",
    url: "https://www.canva.dev/example-assets/video-import/beach-video.mp4",
    width: 320,
    height: 180,
    // AI disclosure indicates if content was AI-generated
    aiDisclosure: "none",
  });
};

const altText = {
  text: "beach video",
  decorative: true,
};

export const App = () => {
  const isSupported = useFeatureSupport();
  const addElement = useAddElement();

  // Configuration for drag-and-drop behavior in Canva
  const dragData: VideoDragConfig = {
    type: "video",
    // Function that handles video upload when drag is completed
    resolveVideoRef: uploadVideo,
    // Size of the preview during drag operation
    previewSize: {
      width: 320,
      height: 180,
    },
    // Image shown during drag preview
    previewUrl:
      "https://www.canva.dev/example-assets/video-import/beach-thumbnail-image.jpg",
  };

  // Handles drag start with feature detection for drag API compatibility
  const onDragStart = (event: React.DragEvent<HTMLElement>) => {
    // Prefer startDragToPoint for better UX (drag follows cursor to specific point)
    if (isSupported(ui.startDragToPoint)) {
      ui.startDragToPoint(event, dragData);
    } else if (isSupported(ui.startDragToCursor)) {
      // Fallback to startDragToCursor (drag follows cursor movement)
      ui.startDragToCursor(event, dragData);
    }
  };

  // Alternative method to add video directly without drag-and-drop
  const insertVideo = async () => {
    const { ref } = await uploadVideo();
    addElement({ type: "video", ref, altText });
  };

  return (
    <div className={styles.scrollContainer}>
      <Rows spacing="3u">
        <Text>
          This example demonstrates how apps can support drag-and-drop of
          videos.
        </Text>
        <Rows spacing="1u">
          <Title size="small">External video</Title>
          <Text size="small" tone="tertiary">
            This video is an external HTTPS video made draggable via drag and
            drop and asset upload.
          </Text>
          <VideoCard
            ariaLabel="Add video to design"
            thumbnailUrl="https://www.canva.dev/example-assets/video-import/beach-thumbnail-image.jpg"
            videoPreviewUrl="https://www.canva.dev/example-assets/video-import/beach-thumbnail-video.mp4"
            durationInSeconds={7}
            mimeType="video/mp4"
            onDragStart={onDragStart}
            onClick={insertVideo}
          />
        </Rows>
      </Rows>
    </div>
  );
};

TYPESCRIPT

// For usage information, see the README.md file.
import { AppUiProvider } from "@canva/app-ui-kit";
import { createRoot } from "react-dom/client";
import { App } from "./app";
import "@canva/app-ui-kit/styles.css";

const root = createRoot(document.getElementById("root") as Element);
function render() {
  root.render(
    <AppUiProvider>
      <App />
    </AppUiProvider>,
  );
}

render();

// Hot Module Replacement for development (automatically reloads the app when changes are made)
if (module.hot) {
  module.hot.accept("./app", render);
}

TYPESCRIPT

# Drag and drop video

Demonstrates how to implement drag-and-drop functionality for video files using VideoCard and startDragToPoint. Shows video upload, thumbnail previews, and design integration with feature detection.

For API reference docs and instructions on running this example, see: https://www.canva.dev/docs/apps/examples/drag-and-drop-video/.

Related examples: See drag_and_drop/drag_and_drop_image for image drag-and-drop, or asset_upload for direct video import.

NOTE: This example differs from what is expected for public apps to pass a Canva review:

- Static assets are used for demonstration purposes only. Production apps should host assets on a CDN/hosting service and use the `upload` function from the `@canva/asset` package
- Error handling is simplified for demonstration. Production apps must implement comprehensive error handling with clear user feedback and graceful failure modes
- Video format validation and thumbnail generation is not implemented. Production apps should validate video formats and provide proper thumbnail generation
- Internationalization is not implemented. Production apps must support multiple languages using the `@canva/app-i18n-kit` package to pass Canva review requirements

MARKDOWN

API reference

Need help?

Join our Community Forum⁠(opens in a new tab or window)
Report issues with this example on GitHub⁠(opens in a new tab or window)