Canva as a Video Editing Tool: Step-by-Step Guide Part 1

Canva as a Video Editing Tool

Canva launched their Video editing tool. You can now use Canva to edit your video instead of capcut or filmora. Canva is not as strict as Capcut and Filmora. It is a good video editing tool that has all the features in capcut and filmora.

Canva is one of the best recently for bloggers, teachers, church media teams, small business owners, and social media creators who want to edit videos without learning difficult professional software.

So, presently, canva is no longer only for graphic design. It also works as a simple video editor where you can cut clips, split videos, delete unwanted parts, add transitions, add music, control volume, insert text, apply effects, animate elements, resize videos, and export content for your website or social media pages.

You can Check the Following:

Watch the Full lecture on how to edit with Your Canva App

AI Platforms You Can Use Freely to Generate Your Videos

How to Use Flow AI to Create AI Videos and Movies Step by Step

How to Edit Your Videos with Creative Fabrica Studio

Watch the Second  Lecture on How to Use Flow Ai and Creative Fabrica

Watch the Video of the First Lesson on Using Meta AI

Meta Ai, Flow Ai, Creative Fabrica And Canva

After creating your videos with Meta Ai and Flow Ai, you can use Canva or Capcut and combine the videos.

Canva presently can serve as a photo editor, video maker, and AI editing app with tools for cropping, resizing, flipping videos, adding audio tracks, using transitions, applying effects like slow motion and reverse playback, and adding subtitles. The good news about canva is that they are more adaptive than Capcut and Filmora combined.

With Canva you can create a complete video from beginning to end in one place. You can prepare a video for a blog post, create a YouTube intro, design a Facebook Reel, make a sermon clip, produce a product advert, or create a short educational video.

What Canva Can Do as a Video Editing Tool

Presently Canva can help you create and edit videos, trim unwanted parts, split a video into different sections, and delete mistakes. And Add text and captions.

With Canva, you can add transitions between clips. Add effects to videos and images, add background music, add voiceover, adjust volume, mute original audio, add animations, resize videos for different platforms and Add logos and website names.

Canva helps you create video thumbnails. Export videos for YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, or your website.

This makes Canva very useful for creators who want simple editing, clean design, and professional presentation.

How to Use Canva as a Video Editor Step by Step

I have done all this in the video that I shared already.

Step 1: Open Canva and Choose a Video Format

First, open Canva and search for the type of video you want to create. You can select “Video”. Then click on that to select  “YouTube video” or “Facebook Reel”. You can choose “Instagram Reel”, “TikTok video” “YouTube Shorts”, “Video presentation”, and “Mobile video”. Choose any.

For normal YouTube videos, choose 16:9 horizontal format. Then for Facebook Reels, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, choose 9:16 vertical format.

For website banners or blog videos, you can use horizontal video format, because it fits better when embedded in blog posts. Choosing the right format from the beginning is important because it prevents your video from looking badly cropped later.

Step 2: Start with a Blank Page or Use a Template

Canva gives you two main options. You can start with a blank video page, or you can use a ready-made template. A blank page is better when you want full control.

A template is better when you want a faster design. Templates are useful for: Blog intro videos. You can also use it for Business adverts. It can be used for Church announcements, Event promotions, Educational videos. Or sometimes Motivational reels, Product videos and YouTube intros. If you use a template, you can replace the sample text, images, videos, and music with your own content.

Step 3: Upload Your Video Clips

To upload your video:

1. Click Uploads.
2. Choose Upload files.
3. Select your video from your computer or phone.
4. Wait for Canva to upload it.
5. Drag the video onto the editing page.

You can upload videos from your camera, phone, AI video tools, Meta AI, Flow AI, Creative Fabrica, CapCut, or any other video source you are allowed to use. You can combine all the videos you downloaded from meta ai with canva.

Step 4: Add the Video to the Timeline

After uploading the video, drag it into your Canva editing page. Canva will place the video on the editing timeline. The timeline is where you control the order of your clips. On the timeline, you can:Move clips, Shorten clips, Split clips and Delete mistakes. You can add new pages, transitions, Adjust timing, and add music and voiceover. The timeline is the heart of video editing in Canva. Once you understand the timeline, editing becomes easier.

How to Trim a Video in Canva

Trimming means cutting the beginning or ending of a video without removing the whole clip.

Use trimming when:The video starts too early or The video ends too late, or when there is silence at the beginning. You can use it also when there is unnecessary movement at the end. Trimming is also used when you only need a small part of the clip. So to trim your video, follow the steps below:

1. Click the video clip on the timeline.
2. Move your cursor to the edge of the clip.
3. Drag the edge inward to shorten the video.
4. Preview the result.
5. Adjust again if necessary.

For example, if your video is 30 seconds but you only need the best 12 seconds, drag the edge until only the important part remains. Trimming helps your video become sharper and more engaging.

How to Split a Video in Canva

Splitting means cutting one video into two or more parts. This is very important because it allows you to remove mistakes from the middle of a video. Use split when: You made a mistake while speaking. There is a long pause you can split and delete. You can split if you want to insert text in the middle. Or You want to add another clip between two parts. You want to remove a section from the middle. Do these to split your video

1. Click the video on the timeline.
2. Move the playhead to the exact place where you want to cut.
3. Right-click and choose Split, or use the split option in Canva’s editing menu.
4. Canva will divide the video into two parts.
5. Click the unwanted part.
6. Press delete.

Example:
If you are recording a teaching video and you make a mistake at second 15, split the video before and after the mistake, then delete the wrong part. This makes your final video look clean and professional.

How to Delete a Clip or Mistake in Canva

Deleting is one of the most important editing actions. Use delete when the clip is not useful, the scene is too long, and if there is a mistake. You can also delete a video clip if a text or image is no longer needed. Follow these steps to delete the clip:

1. Click the clip, text, image, or element you want to remove.
2. Press Delete on your keyboard.
3. On mobile, tap the object and choose the delete/trash option.
4. Preview your video after deleting.

Do not be afraid to delete unnecessary parts. Good editing is not only about adding things. It is also about removing what is not needed. A short, clear video is usually better than a long, boring one.

How to Add Transitions in Canva

Transitions are effects that appear between two clips or pages. They help one scene move smoothly into another scene. Video transitions can make your content more professional. Some common types of transitions are: Fade, Dissolve, Slide, Wipe, Circle wipe, Match and move, Color wipe, Pop, Flow etc. These are the steps to add your transitions:

1. Add two or more video pages or clips.
2. Look between the two pages on the timeline.
3. Click the transition icon or “Add transition.”
4. Choose the transition you want.
5. Adjust the duration if Canva allows.
6. Preview the video.

How to Add Effects in Canva

Effects make your video more attractive. Canva allows users to apply visual effects and other editing styles, including slow motion and reverse playback according to its official app listing.Effects can be used on Videos, Images, Text, Shapes, Backgrounds and Graphics. You can use effects such as: Blur, Shadow, Glow, Duotone, Background remover, Slow motion, Reverse playback, Filters, Color adjustments, Text effects and Animations. To add effects do these:

1. Click the video, image, or text.
2. Look at the top editing toolbar.
3. Click Edit, Effects, or a similar option depending on your device.
4. Choose the effect you want.
5. Adjust the settings.
6. Preview the result.

Use blur when you want the text to stand out. Use glow for a strong title. Then, use slow motion for emotional scenes. Use background remover for product or speaker videos. Use filters to create a consistent mood.

How to Adjust Volume in Canva

Audio is very important in video editing. A video with poor sound can make viewers leave quickly, even if the visual quality is good. In Canva, you can control the volume of original video audio, Background music, Voiceover, Sound effects  and Multiple audio tracks. Canva’s app listing says users can overlay multiple audio tracks, including music, sound effects, and voiceovers. These are the steps for adjustment of the volume:

1. Click the video or audio track.
2. Look for the volume or speaker icon.
3. Increase or reduce the volume.
4. Play the video and listen carefully.
5. Adjust again until the sound is balanced.

For voiceover or speech: keep it clear and loud enough. For background music: keep it lower than the voice. Then for sound effects: use them briefly and carefully.

How to Mute a Video

1. Click the video.
2. Click the volume icon.
3. Reduce the volume to zero.
4. Add your own voiceover or music if needed.

Muting is useful when your video has background noise, wind sound, crowd noise, or unwanted speech.

How to Add Background Music in Canva

Music gives emotion to your video. It can make a simple clip feel inspiring, peaceful, dramatic, or joyful. Follow these steps

1. Click Audio or search for music in Canva.
2. Choose a music track.
3. Drag it to your timeline.
4. Adjust where it starts and ends.
5. Lower the volume if there is a voiceover.
6. Preview the video.

How to Add Voiceover in Canva

Voiceover is very useful for bloggers and website owners because it helps explain the message clearly. You can use voiceover for video editings like Blog article summaries, Bible reflections, Tutorials, Business adverts, Product explanations, Educational videos and Movie narration. For the steps to do this:

1. Write your script first. That is what you are going to say
2. Open your Canva video project.
3. Go to audio or recording options or use your phone recording
4. Record your voice
5. Add the voiceover to the timeline.
6. Adjust the timing.
7. Reduce background music volume.
8. Preview the final result. Speak slowly and clearly. Do not rush. A calm voice sounds more professional than a rushed voice.

How to Add Text and Captions in Canva

Text is important because many people watch videos without sound, especially on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and websites. You can add: Titles, Subtitles, Bible verses, Quotes, Bullet points, Product names, Website names and Call-to-action text. Do these:

1. Click Text.
2. Choose a heading, subheading, or body text.
3. Type your message.
4. Place it on the video.
5. Change font, size, and position.
6. Add animation if needed.
7. Adjust how long the text appears.

For example you can use these titles for a video with canva tutorial: “AI Video Editing Made Simple”, “Create Better Videos with Canva”  then Add transitions, music, captions, and effects. Use short text. Make the font readable. Also, do not put too much text on the screen. Use high contrast so viewers can read easily. Keep the text inside the safe area, especially for mobile videos.

How to Animate Text and Elements in Canva

Animations make your video feel alive. You can animate: Text, Images, Icons, Logos, Stickers and Shapes. To animate texts or elements, do these:

1. Click the text or element.
2. Click Animate.
3. Choose an animation style.
4. Preview it.
5. Adjust the timing if needed.

Use simple animations for professional videos. Good choices include, Fade, Rise, Pan, Breathe and Pop. Avoid too many bouncing or spinning effects unless the video is for children or entertainment. Get ready for the lecture on Canva Part 2