In modern-day graphic design, static images are getting less and less common. Most of the ads you see online now have some kind of movement. Many times it’s the text in the ad that’s moving. The good news is that you won’t need to use hard-to-learn software like After Effects to animate your text. You can animate text in Canva!
To animate your text in Canva, first, create a new piece of text on your design, then click the Animate Option in the Options Bar. From the panel that appears, choose the animation you’d like for your text and adjust the animation speed via the Speed slider.
Let’s get into this process in-depth, with more options to customize your animations. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to adjust your animation with a few clicks and swipes, and you’ll learn how to do it on your desktop and your phone too!
How To Add Text Animations In Canva
Adding animation to your text is simple. First, select your text, then click on Animate.
Once you click on Animate, the Text Animations Panel opens, letting you choose from 23 (as of this writing) different animations you can apply to your text.
To apply an animation to your text, click on the animation you wish to use. The name of the animation you choose will be showcased above your canvas.
You are limited to only one animation per text line.
However, you can mix things up using a different animation on each text line.
Next to the Share button, you will find the Play button. This button will tell you how long your animation will last. Click on the Play button to watch a quick render of your animated text.
All of the animations available in Canva are split into three categories: Basic, Writing, and Exaggerate.
Basic Animations
Basic animations are a great way to add a subtle touch to your text. These animations are perfect for when you want to catch your viewer’s attention but not be too flashy.
Here are a few examples of Basic Animations:
Breathe
This animation is the most subtle of the bunch. It may not quickly grab someone’s attention, but it’s a peaceful animation that can make the viewer feel welcomed.
Baseline
This animation is quick and eye-catching. If you need to slap a quick animation on your text, Baseline should be one of the first on your list.
Pop
This option is the perfect way to grab a viewer’s attention. Even if you apply it to part of your text, this animation should stop someone from scrolling.
Writing Animations
These writing animations were specifically created for text (as opposed to the previous and future animations designed for text and graphics). When adding animations to text, these options should be some of the first ones you look at.
Here are a few examples of writing animations:
Type Writer
This animation is probably the most classic out of them all. If you can’t decide which animation to pick, you can’t go wrong with Type Writer.
Roll
Roll is an excellent choice for a little more flair if you want to impress.
Spread
This option is the most subtle one, similar to how Breathe works. It’s a welcoming animation that works best with smaller text.
Exaggerate Animations
These animations are meant to be unrealistic and have the greatest chance of stopping someone from scrolling if done right.
Tumble
A classic animation that gets the job done. Suppose you want to exaggerate your text but are unsure how then this option is for you.
Neon
This animation is great for when you want to surprise the viewer with some animation. Your text will look static for a few seconds and potentially grab the viewer when it flickers.
Stomp
Try this option if you need an animation to grab someone’s attention immediately. Even without sound, you can hear the impact of your text landing.
How To Adjust Text Animation Settings
Each animation you apply to your text can be adjusted differently, depending on the animation. Some animations will only have one option to change, and others will have multiple.
Also, there are many adjustments that you can only make if you are a Canva Pro user. You will know if this is the case if there is a Crown Icon next to the adjustment.
There are a handful of different adjustments you can make to your animations. Here are the most common ones:
Speed
The Speed Slider determines how fast your animation plays out.
Making your animation super fast may take away from the effect that you’re going for.
Setting the speed lower for many animations will produce a better result. However, this all depends on the purpose of your design, of course.
Direction
Some animations will allow you to adjust the direction of your animation with Arrow Buttons. You can change the path to the left or right, and sometimes up and down.
If you have multiple lines of text, you can switch things up by having some text go one way and the rest of the text go the other.
Animate
The Animate adjustment lets you decide when you want your animation to start.
On Enter
Your animation will start right away.
On Exit
Your text will remain static and start at the end of the animation cycle.
Both
Your animation will happen twice. Once at the beginning of the cycle animation and again at the end.
Writing Style
These adjustments will determine where your animation happens.
Character
Your animation will happen to each text character, one after the other.
Word
Your animation will happen to each word, one after the other.
Line
Your animation will affect every line of your text, one after another. If your text is only on one line, then your animation will only happen to that line.
Element
Your animation will happen to the entire text block at once.
Adjust The Scale
This adjustment will determine the size of your animation.
Adjusting the Scale Slider to the left will result in your text only expanding slightly. In most cases, this will be ideal for this animation.
Adjusting the Scale Slider to the right will significantly expand your text. This is usually not preferred, but it all depends on the project you’re working on.
How To Adjust The Time Of Your Animation
You can add or subtract time for each animation by clicking on the Clock button.
The default setting is five seconds. The lowest you can go is one second, and the highest is 30 seconds.
How To Remove A Text Animation In Canva
Removing an animation is just as easy as adding one. In the Text Animations panel, scroll to find the Remove Animation button.
Click this button to remove your animation. You will know if it worked if the Animation button returns to its default name.
How To Export Animated Text From Canva
To export your animated text, click on the Share button and the Download Button.
For animation, you have two choices:
- MP4 – Pick this option if you need a high-quality video and don’t mind downloading a big file.
- GIF – Choose this option if your clip is short or you don’t mind the lower quality and need a smaller file.
Once you choose the type of file you wish to download, click the Download button to add your video to your hard drive.
How To Animate Text In Canva Mobile
Once your text is ready, click on the Animate button in the bottom menu. You will find the same animation options that are available on the desktop version of Canva.
A submenu at the bottom allows you to tap the type of animation you want to make things easier for you.
Once you’ve decided which animation you want to use, tap it once to apply it to your text, then tap on it again to open up the settings.
You will find all of the same settings that you would on the desktop version. Each adjustment works the same as the desktop version as well.
If you want to see a preview of your animation, click the Play button at the top of your screen.
To export your animation, tap on the Share button, then tap on Download.
As on the desktop version, you will have two options to export your animation: MP4 Video and GIF.
Once you make your choice, click on Download to download your project.
