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Create accessible PDFs with Canva

You can create accessible PDFs that work for a wide range of people, including those who use screen readers or have low vision. Canva's accessibility tools help you identify common accessibility issues, check color contrast and add alt text to images, structure headings and arrange the reading order of your content.

You can use many of these accessibility features in Canva Docs, but some features, such as arranging the reading order, aren’t available. A separate accessibility guide for Canva Docs is coming soon. 

For a quicker start, browse Canva’s accessible templates.

Check your design for accessibility issues

Run Canva’s accessibility checker to find common issues, such as text poor color contrast.

  1. Open your design.
  2. Select File.
  3. Select Accessibility, then select Check design accessibility.
  4. Review the flagged issues.
  5. Select the suggested fix, or make your own changes to address the issue.

Note: The accessibility checker is only available for designs you have permission to edit. It won’t appear if you only have comment access.

Add alt text to images

Alt text describes images for people who use screen readers.

  1. Select the image you want to describe.
  2. Right-click the image, then select
    Alternative text.
  3. Write your own description, or review Canva’s suggested description and use or edit it.
  4. For decorative images that don’t add meaning, select Mark as decorative. This tells screen readers to skip the image.

Set text semantics for headings

Text semantics control how your text is tagged as headings or body text for screen readers. Set heading levels so screen readers can follow your document structure.

Note: Editing text semantics is currently only available on desktop. 

  1. Select File.
  2. Select Accessibility, then select Edit text semantics.

Set the text semantics for each text box:

  1. Use H1 for the main title. As a general rule, use only one H1 in your design.
  2. Use H2 for main sections and H3 for subsections within those sections.
  3. Continue using lower heading levels in order as needed. Avoid skipping levels, such as moving directly from H1 to H3.
  4. Use Paragraph for regular body text.

Note: Applying text semantics won’t change how your text looks in the design. It only changes how the text is identified by screen readers and in accessible PDF exports.

Tip: Keep multi-line headings in a single text box. Drag the edges of the text box to adjust where line breaks occur instead of pressing Enter. This prevents screen readers from treating each line as a separate heading.

Arrange the reading order

By default, Canva automatically estimates the reading order of your content when you export your design as a PDF. To control the reading order manually, follow the steps below. 

Your layer order only applies to the exported PDF when Match reading order to layer order is selected in the PDF download settings. 

  1. Select Position from the editor toolbar.
  2. Select Layers.
  3. Move the element that should be read first, such as your H1 title, to the bottom  of the Layers list.
  4. Place the element that should be read next directly above it. Continue arranging the remaining elements from bottom to top in the order they should be read.

Make Quick Response (QR) codes accessible

You can make QR codes accessible by adding alt text. Canva's QR code generator doesn't support alt text directly, so follow these extra steps:

  1. Create your QR code in Canva.
  2. Select Share, then select
    Download.
  3. Download the QR code as a PNG or SVG file.
  4. Upload the downloaded image back into your design.
  5. Right-click the uploaded image, then select
    Alternative text.
  6. Add alt text that describes the QR code’s purpose or destination, such as “QR code to register for the event.”
  7. Add a descriptive hyperlink or short URL near the QR code so people who can’t scan it can still access the destination.

Export as an accessible PDF

To keep your accessible structure, use these export settings when you download your PDF. 

  1. Select Share.
  2. Select
    Download.
  3. Choose
    PDF (Digital) as the format.
  4. Select Advanced settings.
  5. Turn on Match reading order to layers.
  6. Select Download.

This embeds your heading structure and reading order into the PDF file.

Verify your PDF with external tools

Test your exported PDF to check whether it meets accessibility standards.

Use a PDF checker

Use a PDF checker such as Adobe Acrobat's Accessibility Checker or PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC). Check that your PDF meets accessibility standards. 

Test your PDF with a screen reader

Open your exported PDF in Adobe Acrobat. Navigate the PDF using a screen reader, such as VoiceOver on Mac or NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) on Windows. Check that the headings, alt text, links, and reading order work as intended. 

Publish your design as a website instead

If you prefer to share a link, you can publish your design as a Canva website instead of exporting it as a PDF. The published website will include the accessibility information added to your design, such as headings, alt text, and links.

Before sharing your website, test it with a screen reader and an accessibility checking tool to make sure the content works as intended.

Content supported in PDF exports

Content types such as headings, paragraphs, simple tables, lists, and images are tagged correctly when exported as a PDF.

We’re adding support for more elements as we continue improving PDF accessibility. If you have feedback or questions, contact [email protected].

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