Creating Digital Planners with Canva: A Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 8 min read

If you're looking to get your life organized digitally and creatively, creating a digital planner using Canva might just be the perfect solution for you. In this guide, we're going to walk you through how to create a digital planner using Canva, a user-friendly graphic design platform that allows you to create stunning visual content with ease.

1. Get to Know Canva

To start, let's get familiar with Canva. It's a design tool that's easy to use, even if you're not a design pro. With its intuitive interface and a wealth of templates, it's a favorite for many when it comes to digital design.

Canva Dashboard Overview

Once you log into Canva, you'll find yourself on the dashboard. Here's a quick rundown:

Home: Access your designs, templates, and Canva's design school.
Templates: Browse thousands of pre-made templates, including ones for digital planners.
Create a Design: Start a new design from scratch or use a custom dimension.
Designs: View and edit your saved designs.
Brand Kit: If you're on Canva Pro, you can save your brand colors, fonts, and logos here.
More: Find additional features like printing services, team collaboration, and more.

Next, let's dive into how to use some of the tools that Canva offers.

How to Use Canva Tools

Here are some key tools you'll use when creating your digital planner:

Elements: These are graphics that you can add to your design. There are lines, shapes, grids, and more.
Text: Add headers, subheaders, or body text. You can change the font, size, color, and more.
Background: Change the background color or image of your design.
Uploads: Add your own images or graphics.
More: Look for additional features like embedding videos, adding hyperlinks, etc.

Now, where do we get ideas for our digital planner design? Let's explore some inspiration.

Canva Design Inspiration

Canva has a ton of design inspiration to offer. You can find them in the "Templates" section or by searching for "digital planner" in the search box. You can also check out their "Design School" for tutorials, tips, and tricks on how to create a digital planner that's both functional and visually appealing. Remember, the goal is to create a planner that suits your style and needs.

2. Select Your Planner Template

Now that you're familiar with Canva, it's time to start creating! The first step in how to create a digital planner is selecting a template. A template is a pre-made design that you can customize to fit your needs.

Types of Planner Templates

Canva offers a wide range of planner templates. Here are some types you might consider:

Daily Planners: These templates are perfect for planning out your day in detail.
Weekly Planners: If you prefer a broader view of your week, these templates might be for you.
Monthly Planners: For those who like to plan ahead, monthly planners offer a great overview.
Goal Planners: Got goals? There are templates designed to help you achieve them.
Meal Planners: Keep track of your meals and grocery lists with these templates.
Fitness Planners: Stay on top of your health and fitness goals.

Remember, the type of planner you choose should depend on what you want to achieve. It should serve as a tool to help you stay organized and reach your goals.

Customize Your Template

Once you've chosen a template, it's time to make it your own. Here's how:

Replace Placeholder Text: Click on the text you want to change and start typing.
Change Colors: Click on the element you want to change the color of and select a new color from the color picker.
Swap Images: Click on an image, select "Replace" from the top menu, and choose an image from your uploads or from Canva's library.
Adjust Fonts: Select the text, then choose a new font from the dropdown menu at the top of the screen.
Add Elements: Click on "Elements" in the left-hand menu, then drag and drop elements onto your design.

Remember, customization is key in creating a digital planner that truly meets your needs and reflects your style.

3. Add and Organize Pages

With your template all set, let's move to the next step in creating a digital planner — adding and organizing pages. This is where you start to give your planner structure and make it functional.

How to Add Pages

Adding pages in Canva is a simple process:

Click on the "Add Page" button: Located at the bottom of the Canva workspace, clicking this will add a new page to your planner.
Copy existing pages: If you want to use the same layout but with different content, simply click the "Duplicate page" button on the page you want to copy.
Use Templates: If you want to add a page with a different design, click on "Templates" in the left-hand menu and choose one that fits your needs.

Remember, when you are figuring out how to create a digital planner, think of each page as a new opportunity to organize your thoughts and tasks.

How to Organize Pages

Organizing your pages is just as important as adding them. It helps you easily navigate through your planner. Here's how:

Drag and Drop: Simply click and hold the page you want to move, then drag it to its new position.
Delete Pages: If you've added a page you no longer need, click on the "Delete Page" button.
Rename Pages: To help you remember what each page is for, you can rename them. Just click on the page title and type in your new name.

Organizing your pages effectively will make your digital planner more functional and easier to use.

4. Design Your Pages

Now that your pages are set up, it's time to bring them to life with design. The design process is where you can truly showcase your personality and style. Let's explore how to create a digital planner that's visually appealing and engaging.

Use Canva Elements

Canva's Elements section is a goldmine for enhancing your planner's design. It offers a wide range of graphics, shapes, and lines that you can use to add flair to your pages. Here's how you can use them:

Browse: Click on "Elements" in the left-hand menu and browse through the options. You'll find everything from basic shapes to intricate illustrations.
Drag and Drop: Once you've found an element you like, simply drag and drop it onto your page.
Customize: Change the color, size, and position of the element to fit your design.

By using Canva elements, you can add depth and interest to your digital planner.

Add Text and Fonts

Text is a vital part of your digital planner. It's not just about what you say, but also how you present it. Here's how to add and customize text:

Add Text: Click on "Text" in the left-hand menu and select a text box. You can choose from pre-designed styles or a basic text box.
Edit: Double-click on the text box to edit the content. You can type in your own words, and even add bullet points or numbered lists.
Customize: Change the font, size, color, and alignment of your text to match your design.

Remember, the right font can set the mood for your entire planner. So, choose wisely!

Choose Colors and Themes

Colors can make your digital planner more inviting and enjoyable to use. Canva has a wide range of color palettes and themes to suit every style. Here's how to choose and apply them:

Choose a Theme: Click on "Styles" in the left-hand menu. You'll see a range of themes with pre-selected fonts and colors.
Apply a Theme: Once you've chosen a theme you like, click on "Apply" to implement it across your planner.
Customize Colors: If the theme's colors aren't quite right, you can change them. Click on the color tile in the top-left corner and select a new one from the palette.

Choosing the right colors and themes can help to create a digital planner that's truly your own.

5. Create Interactive Elements

Interactive elements can take your digital planner from good to fantastic. By adding features like hyperlinks, buttons, tabs, and even videos, you make your planner engaging and easy to navigate. Let's dive into how to create a digital planner with these interactive elements.

Add Hyperlinks

Hyperlinks are a game-changer for digital planners. They allow users to jump between sections or pages with a simple click. Here's how you do it:

Select: Click on the text or element that you want to turn into a hyperlink.
Add Link: In the top menu, click on the link symbol (it looks like a chain). A box will pop up for you to enter the link.
Test: After adding the link, go to preview mode to make sure it works correctly.

By adding hyperlinks, you're designing a digital planner that's easy and intuitive to navigate.

Create Buttons and Tabs

Buttons and tabs are a great way to make your planner look professional and organized. They also make navigation a breeze. Here's how to create them:

Create a Button: Use shapes from the Elements section to create a button. You can add text on top of the shape to label the button.
Turn into a Tab: To create a tab, simply place the button at the edge of a page, sticking out slightly. This way, it's visible even when the page is turned.
Add Hyperlink: Don't forget to add a hyperlink to your button or tab, so it actually leads somewhere!

With buttons and tabs, your digital planner will not only look great, but also be super user-friendly.

Embed Videos and Audios

Want to make your digital planner even more interactive? Try embedding videos or audios. This is a great way to include tutorials, inspiring talks, or calming background music. Here's how:

Upload: You can upload your own videos or audios, or use ones from Canva's library. To do this, click on "Uploads" or "Audio" in the left-hand menu.
Insert: Once you've chosen a file, simply drag and drop it onto the page. You can then adjust its size and position.

By embedding multimedia elements, you're creating a digital planner that's truly engaging and full of surprises.

Now that you've learned how to create a digital planner with all the bells and whistles, it's time to share your masterpiece with the world. But first, you'll need to export it in a format that retains all the interactive features you've added. Let's walk through that process.

Export Options in Canva

When it comes to exporting your digital planner, Canva offers a variety of formats. While JPEG and PNG are perfect for images, they don't support interactive features. For a digital planner, PDF is the way to go. Here's how:

Select Format: Click on the "Download" button, then choose "PDF Standard" or "PDF Print" as the file type.
Interactive Features: If your planner contains hyperlinks, make sure to select "PDF Standard". This format keeps your links clickable.
Download: Finally, hit the "Download" button again. Your digital planner is now ready to go!

Remember, choosing the right format is key to keeping all the interactive elements intact in your digital planner.

Once you've exported your planner, it's finally time to share it. Canva makes sharing easy, whether you want to send it directly via email or get a link to share on social media. Here's what to do:

Email: Click on the "Share" button, then "Email". Enter the email addresses and hit "Send".
Link: To get a shareable link, click on "Share", then "Link". You can then copy the link and paste it wherever you want.

And just like that, you've not only learned how to create a digital planner, but you've also successfully shared it with others. Congratulations on your new skill!

If you enjoyed learning about creating digital planners with Canva, don't miss the workshop titled 'The Perfect Project Plan for Creatives' by Natalie. This workshop will provide you with essential tips and techniques to plan and execute your creative projects effectively, ensuring your success as a digital planner creator.