How to Make a Flowchart in Canva

To make a flowchart in Canva, start from a flowchart template or a blank whiteboard. Add shapes from the Elements panel, connect them with lines that snap to each shape, and type labels inside. Then tidy the layout with the Position tools and download a PNG, PDF, GIF or MP4.

Quick steps

1. On the Canva home page, search "flowchart" and open a template, or create a Whiteboard design to start blank.
2. Add shapes from Elements, or press R for a rectangle and C for a circle.
3. Press L for a line, then drag each end onto a shape's edge until it snaps.
4. Double-click a shape to type its label. Double-click a line to label a branch.
5. Select the shapes and use Position → Tidy up or the align options.
6. Click Share → Download and choose a file type.

These steps reflect Canva's editor as of September 2026. Canva updates its interface often, so some labels may shift.

Should you start from a template or a blank design?

Start from a template when you want a styled result fast. Search "flowchart" on the Canva home page, or search the template panel inside the editor (the Design tab in the side panel). Pick a template for its structure, not its colors. Restyling takes seconds, while reworking a layout that doesn't fit your process takes much longer. Templates and elements marked with a crown need a paid plan.

Start blank when your process is long, has several branches or needs swimlanes. A Whiteboard design gives you space that grows as you work. For a small flowchart inside an existing presentation or document, build it right on that page.

How do you add flowchart shapes in Canva?

Open Elements in the side panel and browse the shapes, or search "flowchart shapes" to find diamonds, ovals and parallelograms. Keyboard shortcuts are faster for the basics: R adds a rectangle, C adds a circle and T adds a text box.

Build one shape first. Set its size, fill, border and font, then duplicate it with Ctrl+D (Cmd+D on a Mac). Every step then matches without restyling.

Use the standard meanings so readers can scan the chart:

• Oval or rounded rectangle for start and end
• Rectangle for each action
• Diamond for each decision
• Parallelogram for inputs and outputs

Our flowchart symbols guide covers the full set. Double-click any shape to type inside it. Canva also lets you replace a shape with a different one, and its help center says connected lines stay attached when you do.

How do you connect shapes with lines that stay attached?

1. Press L, or add a line from the Elements panel.
2. Drag one end of the line to the edge of your first shape. When it snaps to the border, it's connected. Repeat with the other end.
3. Move a shape to test the connection. The line should follow it.
4. Change the line type from the toolbar: straight, curved or elbowed. Elbowed lines give most flowcharts a cleaner, grid-like look.
5. Set arrowheads with the line start and line end options on the toolbar.
6. Double-click a line to add a label, such as Yes or No.

Canva marks attachment points on each shape's sides and center with small white dots. Drop a line end on one to attach it at that exact point. If a line stays behind when you move a shape, its end never snapped. Drag the end back onto the shape until it connects.

How do you build a flowchart faster with Quick Flow?

Quick Flow adds connected shapes for you, so you don't draw every line by hand. As of September 2026, it works in every Canva design type except Canva Docs.

1. Style your first shape and line the way you want them. Quick Flow reuses your most recent formatting.
2. Right-click the shape and select Enable Quick Flow. Arrows appear around it.
3. Hover over the shape until a preview appears, then click an arrow. Canva adds a connected shape in that direction.
4. To connect two existing shapes, select one and drag one of its arrows onto the other until it snaps.

Quick Flow is best for the main path. Add decision branches and loop-backs afterwards, since they usually need manual placement.

How do you align and space the steps evenly?

Select the shapes to line up by dragging a selection box around them or Shift-clicking each one. Then click Position on the toolbar.

• Align elements lines up the selection by edges or centers. For a vertical flow, align the centers.
• Tidy up spaces and aligns the selection evenly in one click.

Canva also shows guide lines as you drag single shapes. When a section is finished, group it with Ctrl+G (Cmd+G on a Mac) so it moves as one piece. Lock background elements, such as swimlane bands, so you don't nudge them by accident.

How do you add a decision branch in Canva?

1. Add a diamond after the step that raises the question.
2. Type a short question inside it, such as "Refund under 100?".
3. Draw two lines out of the diamond from different points, for example the bottom and the right side.
4. Double-click each line and label it: Yes on one, No on the other.
5. Keep the Yes path running in the main direction, and send No off to the side. If No rejoins the flow later, use an elbowed line.

If the question doesn't fit, widen the diamond instead of shrinking the text. For branching ideas, see these decision tree examples.

When should you use a Canva whiteboard?

Use a whiteboard when the process runs past about 15 steps or needs several branches or swimlanes. The canvas grows as you add content, and you can zoom out to see the whole flow.

For swimlanes, draw one long rectangle per team, label each lane on its left and lock the lanes. Then place your steps on top. During a workshop, teammates can add sticky notes and comments, and you can tidy up afterwards.

When the chart is done, download it as a PNG or PDF. You can also copy finished sections into a presentation for a step-by-step walkthrough.

How do you animate and export a Canva flowchart?

To animate, select a shape and click Animate on the toolbar. Choose an effect on the Element tab, or use the Page tab to animate the whole page. You can pick a speed preset or set exact durations.

For a one-step-at-a-time reveal, duplicate the page and add one more step to each copy. When you download the design as an MP4 or GIF, the pages play in order.

To export, click Share → Download and pick a file type:

• PNG for documents and slides. A transparent background needs a paid plan.
• PDF for printing or sharing a fixed layout.
• SVG for graphics that stay sharp at any size. This also needs a paid plan.
• MP4 or GIF for animated versions.

Faster option: generate the flowchart with AI

Canva shines when you want full control over layout and brand styling. An AI diagram tool is faster in three situations:

• The process already exists as text, such as an SOP, meeting notes or an email thread.
• You need several flowcharts, or several versions of one.
• You want an animated flow without setting up the timing by hand.

In Infogiph's AI flowchart maker, you describe the process in plain English. You get an animated, fully editable diagram, usually in about 5 to 15 seconds. Edit labels, icons, colors and layout on the canvas, then export a PNG, SVG, GIF or MP4 in 1:1, 9:16, 4:5, 16:9 or 4:3. To use it in Canva, open Uploads, click Upload files and drag the file onto your design.

The free plan includes 5 AI generations in total and unlimited exports, with a small Infogiph watermark. Pro costs $12 a month, or $9 a month billed yearly, and removes the watermark. For a head start, open the customer support flow template or the approval workflow template. For a side-by-side look at both tools, read Canva AI infographic generator vs Infogiph.

FAQ

Does Canva have flowchart templates?

Yes. Search "flowchart" on the Canva home page or in the editor's template panel. Templates and elements marked with a crown need a paid plan.

Can Canva connect shapes automatically?

Partly. Lines snap to shapes and stay attached when you move them. Quick Flow goes further and adds a connected shape when you click one of the arrows around a shape.

Can I make a flowchart in Canva for free?

Yes. The free plan includes shapes, lines, many templates, and PNG, JPG, PDF, MP4 and GIF downloads. SVG downloads and transparent backgrounds need a paid plan.

How do I put a Canva flowchart into PowerPoint or Word?

Download it as a PNG and insert it as a picture. To build an editable flowchart inside those apps instead, see our guides to flowcharts in PowerPoint and flowcharts in Word.

Making infographics as well? Our guide to making infographics in Canva covers templates, sizing and export.