How To Add Page Numbers In Canva (The Easy Way)

As a huge fan of Canva, there was nothing more disappointing than learning how it was impossible for the program to automatically add page numbers to my designs. Everything else about Canva is convenient and lifesaving, but it can’t do something as simple as adding page numbers? If you’re thinking the same thing, you’re not alone. Fortunately for you, I’m about to tell you all the different ways you can tackle this issue.

Hopefully, Canva will one day include an official way to add page numbers, but until then, I will show you how to add numbered text layers and numbered graphics to your projects. Both for the desktop and mobile versions of Canva. I will also show you how to make your own numbered graphics that you can use for all your future projects!

How To Add Page Numbers In Canva Desktop

To quickly add page numbers in Canva, follow these steps:

Open your desired Canva Design.
Click the Text menu on the left.
Choose “add a little body of text.”
Type your desired page number in the text box.
Position it in the lower corner of your design.
Duplicate your page and update the page number accordingly.

Using text layers or graphic numbers is a personal choice with no correct answer. In this example, I’ll show you how to make a number as a text layer and then show you how to make a graphic version. Then I’ll show you how to speed up your workflow by duplicating each page. So if the steps above didn’t make total sense, let’s walk through this whole process together.

Using Text Layers

Open the Text Tab in the Side Menu and choose Add A Little Bit Of Body Text. This should be just the right thickness for page numbers.

A text box will appear in the middle of the page. Position it to about where you want your page number.

Once you have your text box in place, type your first number.

After you type your first number, you can adjust the size of the number with the Plus and Minus Buttons in the Top Menu.

If you want to change the font, you can find that option under the Font Drop Down Menu.

There are plenty of free fonts in Canva itself, so you should be able to find one that’s perfect for your project.

Using Numbered Graphics

The free version of Canva has a lot of numbered graphics for you to choose from. However, you will have a much bigger selection if you are a Canva Pro user.

Step 1: Search In Elements

To find ready-made numbered graphics, open the Elements Tab in the Side Menu and type “numbers” in the search field.

Step 2: Adjust The Filters

Make sure to click on the filters button in the search bar.

Under the settings, uncheck the Static option to eliminate animated graphics. Unless you’re a Canva Pro member, make sure to check on the Free option. You will then see all the different numbered graphics you have to choose from.

Simply click on any number to drop it in the middle of the page. Position the number to about where it should be on the page and then shrink it by pulling down on one of the corners.

Step 3: Adjust The Placement

To position the number to exactly where you need it, use the Move Button for increased accuracy.

Duplicating The Page

One of the most time-saving aspects of Canva is its ability to easily duplicate pages.

To duplicate the page, click on the Duplicate Page Button. The page number on the new page will be in the exact location as the previous page, so you won’t need to worry about inconsistent positioning.

Then, double-click the page number on the new page and type the next number.

If you don’t like how the new number looks, go back up to the Font Drop Down Menu at the top and choose something that fits better.

This one matches the tone of this PDF more.

If you change the font, remember to go back to the original page and change the font of that number too.

Then, duplicate the second page and change the page number to the next number. Repeat this process for the duration of your project.

Adding More Graphic Numbers

To add more ready-made graphic numbers, first duplicate the first page.

Then, in the Elements Tab, search for numbers, find the type of graphic number you are currently using and click on See All under Magic Recommendations. Alternatively, you can click on the Three Dots on your number and select See More Like This.

You will see the full list of graphic numbers you can use in that style.

By clicking on the next number, it will add it to your project. Make it smaller and position it closer to the number you need to replace.

Here’s the slightly tricky part. Line up the purple bounding box of the new number with the bounding box of the old one. Just position it slowly, and the two bounding boxes should snap together automatically.

Then, shrink the number from the opposite corner until it snaps to the same size as the original number.

The new number will be the exact same size as the old one. Now we need to delete the original number.

With your new number selected, press Command + [ (Mac) or Control + [ (Win) to send the image back one level. Now, click on the old number and hit the Delete Key to delete it. It may be tough to tell which number you clicked on, but as long as you send the old image backward, it will be fine.

Make Your Own Custom Page Numbers In Canva

If you look at the choices that you have for graphic numbers under the Elements Tab, the selection is quite bare. Not only that, but the numbers only go from 1 – 9, so unless you have a short document to number, Canva’s elements might not be much of a help for you.

Thankfully, with Canva, you can make your own number graphics and keep them in a folder in your account for all future projects.

Keep in mind that making folders is only available for Canva Pro subscribers.

Step 1: Set Up A New Folder

On the Canva Homepage, click Your Projects. Click the Plus Button and select New Folder.

You can name your new folder “numbers” or whatever you would like and select Create Folder.

Step 2: Create Your Number Graphics

On the Canva Homepage, select Custom Size. For Width, put five and for Height, put five. Make sure Inches is selected as well. Click on Create New Design.

With your new canvas open, click on the Elements Tab and select the circle. This will put a plain circle onto the canvas.

Stretch the circle out to be as big as the canvas and change the color to whatever you would like with the Color Menu.

Once your circle is the correct size, click on the Text Tab. Select whatever sized text you want, and a text box will be available to edit.

Type in your first letter. Feel free to change the font with the Font Drop Down Menu. Once your first number looks good, click on Duplicate Page.

Now you just need to double-click the text field to change the old number into the new one. Do this until you have enough numbers for your project.

Step 3: Send The Numbers To Your Folder

Once all your numbers are created, click the Share Button and then the Download Button.

Under the download settings, make sure your File Type is PNG. Transparent Background should be ticked on, and All Pages should be selected. Click on the Download Button.

All of your numbered graphics will be downloaded onto your computer. Make sure to unzip the folder with Extract All (Win) or by Double-Clicking The Zipped File (Mac).

Remember the folder we named “numbers” from before? On the Side Bar, scroll down and click on the Folders Tab to find it. Click it to open the folder.

Have a window open with your numbered graphics open. Select all the graphics with Command + A (Mac) or Control + A (Win) and drag them all into the numbers folder.

Step 4: Drag And Drop Your Numbers Into Your Project

Open your original project up, navigate to your numbers folder and click on your first number.

Shrink the graphic down and place it where you would like your numbers to be.

Now, every time you duplicate the page, you can simply drag the next number into the previous number and it will automatically make it the correct size in the correct position.

Remember, you can make these numbered graphics look however you’d like. You have complete flexibility here. You can use a square instead of a circle or have no shape at all. Make your numbers as professional as you want, or let your imagination run wild!

How To Add Page Numbers In Canva Mobile

Canva’s user interface on mobile is slightly less intuitive than the desktop version. Adding page numbers might include a little more work, but we will go over how to add them both by text and with graphics, right on your phone.

Using Text Layers

At the bottom of your screen, tap the Plus Button. Tap on the Text Tab and select the size of your text.

Now, simply type in your first number.

If you would like to change your font, scroll to the Font option in the Bottom Menu.

You can also change the Font Size and Color in the same Bottom Menu.

Using Numbered Graphics

Open the Elements Tab and type the word “numbers” into the Search Bar. Open the Filters Tab and make sure to tick off Static, as well as Free if you’re not a Canva Pro member. Click Apply Filters.

Once your filters are applied, click on the style of number you would like. Shrink it down to the size you want and place it where you would like your numbers to be.

Duplicating The Page

To duplicate pages with the mobile version of Canva, tap the Pages Button in the right corner of the screen.

Then, select the page that you would like to duplicate and tap the Duplicate Button.

Adding New Text Layer Numbers

To add a new number with a text layer after duplicating the page, simply tap inside the text of the previous number and type in the next number.

Adding New Number Graphics

Open the Elements Tab and search for “numbers”. Find the style of numbered graphic you have already used. Tap and hold on any of the numbered graphics that fit your style to bring up the Options Screen.

Tap on See More Like This, and then tap on the next number in your sequence.