Creating Interactive PDFs in Canva: A Step-by-Step Guide

Jacqui Naunton // White Deer
13 Jun 2025

For business owners and creatives, making engaging and navigable PDFs is a must. Whether for a workbook, a lead magnet, or a mini-course resource, crafting documents that your audience can easily navigate through clickable contents can help keep them engaged and appreciative of your brand’s offerings. This tutorial will guide you through the process of adding interactive links to your Canva PDFs to make your documents not only aesthetically pleasing but also incredibly practical.

Why Interactive PDFs?

When you transform a static document into an interactive experience, your audience can directly access sections of interest, making the document more useful and less overwhelming. This interaction can build trust and engagement with your brand, paving the way for future collaborations or business opportunities.

Steps to Create Interactive PDFs in Canva

**1. Design the Contents Page**

  • Create a new page after your title page for the contents section.
  • Use Canva’s templates for inspiration. Select one that matches your brand’s design.
  • Change text and styling to fit your branding and needs. Add titles and descriptions for each document section.

**2. Add Clickable Links in Canva**

  • Click on the component you want to link (text or shape).
  • Select the link option from the three-dot menu.
  • Choose to link within your document or insert an external URL.
  • Make sure to select the correct pages or URLs to ensure smooth navigation.

**3. Visual Cues for Links**

  • Decide whether to keep links underlined. Underlining helps indicate interactivity.
  • Alternatively, make graphics clickable, like shapes with transparent properties, to suit your design choice while maintaining functionality.

**4. Export Your PDF with Care**

  • Select ‘PDF’ as your file type when downloading.
  • Ensure not to flatten your PDF, as this will remove clickable links.
  • Double-check that all links function correctly by testing your PDF.
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**5. Compress Your PDF for Sharing**

  • Large file sizes can hinder sharing. Use online services like Adobe’s PDF compressor.
  • A smaller file size reduces download times, promoting easy access for your audience.

By following these steps, you can create compelling, user-friendly PDFs that enhance your audience’s experience. Remember, an engaging document is not just about looks—it’s about practicality, too. Happy designing, and may your PDFs captivate and delight!

Jacqui Naunton // White Deer