The Canva Apps SDK, Connect APIs, and MCP are now unified in the Canva Developers SDK. Learn more(opens in a new tab or window).
Canva Developers SDK
The Canva Apps SDK, Connect APIs, and MCP are now unified in the Canva Developers SDK. Learn more(opens in a new tab or window).

Design import

The Canva REST APIs for importing designs from other applications into Canva.

The design import API lets you bring content into Canva as an editable design, without having to recreate your work. You can import a file created in another application, either by uploading the file or by giving Canva a URL to it, or convert an image that's already in the user's Canva account into a design with separately editable elements.

For more information about Canva designs, see Canva concepts.

Supported file types

The design import and URL import APIs accept the following file types:

Name
MIME type
File extension
Adobe Illustrator
application/illustrator
.ai
Adobe Photoshop
image/vnd.adobe.photoshop
.psd
Affinity
application/affinity
.af, .afdesign, .afphoto, .afpub
Apple Keynote
application/vnd.apple.keynote
.key
Apple Numbers
application/vnd.apple.numbers
.numbers
Apple Pages
application/vnd.apple.pages
.pages
Microsoft Excel (pre 2007)
application/vnd.ms-excel
.xls
Microsoft Excel
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet
.xlsx
Microsoft PowerPoint (pre 2007)
application/vnd.ms-powerpoint
.ppt
Microsoft PowerPoint
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.presentationml.presentation
.pptx
Microsoft Word (pre 2007)
application/msword
.doc
Microsoft Word
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
.docx
OpenOffice Draw
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.graphics
.odg
OpenOffice Presentation
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.presentation
.odp
OpenOffice Sheets
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet
.ods
OpenOffice Text
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text
.odt
PDF
application/pdf
.pdf

For upload formats and requirements, see Canva Help — Upload formats and requirements(opens in a new tab or window).

The image-to-design import API doesn't take a file. It converts an image that's already in the user's Canva account, and accepts standard photo and graphic formats such as PNG and JPEG. Vector formats such as SVG, EPS, and AI aren't supported, and neither are video assets.

Design import API