How to Convert Canva to Google Slides
Need to share your Canva presentation with someone who uses Google Slides? This guide covers three methods to export Canva designs to Google Slides, plus tips for keeping your formatting intact.
Quick Answer
To convert Canva to Google Slides: Open your Canva presentation, click Share → Download, select Microsoft PowerPoint (PPTX), and download. Then open Google Slides, go to File → Import slides, upload your PPTX file, and click Import slides.
This method preserves text editability and most formatting. The entire process takes about 2 minutes.
Why Convert Canva to Google Slides?
Canva offers beautiful templates and an intuitive design interface, but there are several reasons you might need to convert your presentation to Google Slides:
- Collaboration requirements: Your team, school, or organization uses Google Workspace and needs everyone in Google Slides for real-time collaboration.
- Presentation access: The computer where you will present does not have Canva access, but has Google Slides or internet access.
- Format requirements: A professor, client, or employer specifically requests Google Slides format for submission.
- Editing flexibility: You want others to edit specific elements without giving them access to your Canva account.
- Offline access: Google Slides allows offline editing when properly configured, which can be useful for presentations in low-connectivity environments.
The good news is that converting between these platforms is straightforward. However, Canva does not have a direct "Export to Google Slides" button. You need to use PowerPoint format as an intermediate step.
Method 1: Export as PPTX (Recommended)
The most reliable method for converting Canva to Google Slides is exporting as a PowerPoint (PPTX) file, then importing into Google Slides. This method keeps text editable and preserves most design elements.
Part A: Download from Canva
- Open your Canva presentation by going to canva.com and signing into your account.
- Click the Share button in the top-right corner of the editor.
- Select Download from the menu that appears.
- Click the File type dropdown and select Microsoft PowerPoint (PPTX).
- Choose your pages: Select "All pages" or pick specific slides you want to export.
- Click Download to save the PPTX file to your computer.
Export Path in Canva
Part B: Import into Google Slides
- Open Google Slides by going to slides.google.com or opening a blank presentation.
- Go to File in the top menu bar.
- Click Import slides from the dropdown.
- Select the Upload tab in the dialog that appears.
- Drag your PPTX file into the upload area, or click "Select a file from your device" to browse.
- Select the slides you want to import (or click "All" in the top-right).
- Click Import slides to complete the conversion.
Pro Tip: Check the "Keep original theme" box during import if you want to preserve Canva's slide backgrounds and color schemes. Uncheck it if you prefer to apply a Google Slides theme instead.
Method 2: Save Directly to Google Drive
Canva can connect to your Google Drive account, allowing you to save the PPTX file directly to Drive without downloading it to your computer first. This is faster if you are working across devices.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Open your Canva presentation and click the Share button.
- Click the More button (three dots or "More" text at the bottom of the menu).
- Search for "Google Drive" in the integrations search bar.
- Click Google Drive and connect your account if you have not already.
- Select PPTX as the file format in the dropdown.
- Choose a folder in your Google Drive where you want to save the file.
- Click Save to upload the presentation to Google Drive.
Open in Google Slides
- Go to Google Drive (drive.google.com) and find your uploaded PPTX file.
- Right-click the file and select Open with → Google Slides.
- Convert to Google Slides format by going to File → Save as Google Slides (optional, but recommended for full editing capabilities).
This method is especially useful when you do not want to store files locally or when working from a Chromebook or shared computer.
Method 3: Export as Images (For Visual Fidelity)
If preserving the exact visual appearance matters more than editability, you can export your Canva slides as images and insert them into Google Slides. This method guarantees your design looks identical, but you cannot edit text or elements afterward.
When to Use This Method
- Your design uses fonts that Google Slides does not support
- You have complex graphics that might shift during conversion
- You only need to present the slides, not edit them
- You want to prevent others from modifying your design
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In Canva, click Share → Download.
- Select PNG or JPEG as the file type. PNG offers higher quality; JPEG has smaller file sizes.
- Download all pages. Canva will create a ZIP file if you have multiple slides.
- Extract the ZIP file on your computer.
- Open Google Slides and create a blank presentation.
- For each slide: Go to Insert → Image → Upload from computer, and select your image.
- Resize the image to fill the slide (or set as background via Slide → Change background → Choose image).
Alternative: Export as PDF from Canva, then use a PDF-to-Google Slides converter tool. However, this typically produces similar results to the image method with non-editable content.
Formatting Issues to Expect
No conversion between presentation tools is perfect. Here are the common issues you may encounter when converting Canva to Google Slides, and how to handle them:
Font Substitutions
Canva has access to many fonts that are not available in Google Slides. When Google Slides cannot find a matching font, it substitutes with a similar one. This can cause:
- Text appearing in a different typeface
- Line breaks occurring in different places
- Text boxes becoming misaligned
Solution: Before exporting from Canva, switch to commonly available fonts like Arial, Roboto, Open Sans, Lato, or Montserrat. These are available in both Canva and Google Slides.
Animations and Transitions
Canva animations and slide transitions do not transfer to Google Slides. The two platforms use different animation systems, so you will need to recreate any motion effects manually.
Solution: If animations are critical, either recreate them in Google Slides after conversion, or present directly from Canva instead of converting.
Videos and Audio
Embedded videos and audio files from Canva will not play in the converted Google Slides presentation. They may appear as blank boxes or static images.
Solution: After importing to Google Slides, manually re-add videos using Insert → Video. You can insert YouTube videos or upload video files to Google Drive and link them.
Design Effects
Some Canva effects may not translate perfectly:
- Shadows: May appear different or disappear
- Gradients: Complex gradients may simplify
- Transparency: Usually transfers well, but verify
- Grouped elements: May import as single images instead of editable groups
| Element | Transfer Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Text | Good | Editable, may need font fixes |
| Basic Shapes | Good | Usually editable |
| Images | Good | Transfer intact |
| Fonts | Variable | May substitute |
| Animations | Lost | Must recreate manually |
| Videos | Lost | Must re-add manually |
| Complex Graphics | Variable | May flatten or shift |
Best Practices for Canva to Google Slides Conversion
Follow these tips to get the best results when converting your Canva presentations:
1. Use Common Fonts
Before exporting, change any decorative or Canva-specific fonts to widely available alternatives. Recommended fonts that work in both platforms:
- Sans-serif: Arial, Roboto, Open Sans, Lato, Montserrat
- Serif: Times New Roman, Georgia, Playfair Display
- Monospace: Courier New, Roboto Mono
2. Avoid Complex Animations
If you know you will convert to Google Slides, limit or avoid animations in your Canva design. Add transitions and animations after importing into Google Slides instead.
3. Save Media Separately
Download any videos, GIFs, or audio files separately from Canva before converting. This way, you can easily re-add them in Google Slides if they do not transfer.
4. Review Every Slide After Conversion
Never assume your presentation is ready after import. Go through each slide and check:
- Text alignment and spacing
- Image positions and sizing
- Font appearance
- Background colors and gradients
- Any missing elements
5. Keep Your Canva Original
Do not delete your original Canva presentation after converting. If something goes wrong or you need to make major changes, it is easier to edit in Canva and re-export than to fix issues in Google Slides.
Convert Canva to Google Slides on Mobile
You can also convert Canva presentations using the mobile apps, though the process has some differences.
On iPhone or Android
- Open the Canva app and navigate to your presentation.
- Tap the Share icon (usually in the top-right corner).
- Tap Download and select PPTX as the file format.
- Save the file to your device or cloud storage.
- Open Google Slides app or the Google Drive app.
- Upload the PPTX file to Google Drive.
- Open with Google Slides to view and edit.
Mobile Tip: The Google Slides mobile app has limited editing features. For significant changes, use the desktop web version at slides.google.com.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
PPTX Option Not Available in Canva?
The PPTX download option only appears for presentation designs. If you created a different design type (like a social media post or flyer), you will not see this option. Create a new presentation in Canva and copy your content over, or use the image export method instead.
Google Slides Says File Cannot Be Opened?
- Make sure the file finished downloading completely from Canva
- Check that the file extension is .pptx and not .zip
- Try uploading to Google Drive first, then opening from there
- Clear your browser cache and try again
Slides Look Completely Different After Import?
If your slides look drastically different after import, try these fixes:
- Use the image export method for exact visual fidelity
- Check if fonts are substituting and replace them
- Look for grouped elements that may have ungrouped
- Compare the original with the import side-by-side to identify specific changes
File Size Too Large?
Large Canva presentations with many images can create huge PPTX files. To reduce file size:
- Compress images in Canva before exporting
- Remove unnecessary pages before download
- Export in batches if you have many slides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you export Canva directly to Google Slides?
No, Canva does not have a direct export to Google Slides option. You must first export as PPTX (PowerPoint) format, then import that file into Google Slides. Alternatively, you can save to Google Drive and open with Google Slides.
Will I lose formatting when converting Canva to Google Slides?
Some formatting may change during conversion. Custom Canva fonts may be substituted, animations and transitions will not transfer, and some design effects like shadows or gradients may not replicate exactly. Text and basic shapes usually transfer well.
Is the Canva to Google Slides conversion free?
Yes, exporting as PPTX is available on both free and paid Canva accounts. Google Slides is also free to use. The entire conversion process costs nothing.
Why would I convert Canva to Google Slides?
Common reasons include collaborating with team members who use Google Slides, presenting on devices without Canva access, meeting requirements for school or work that mandate Google Slides format, or needing real-time collaboration features available in Google Workspace.
Do videos transfer from Canva to Google Slides?
No, videos embedded in Canva presentations do not transfer to Google Slides. You will need to manually re-add videos in Google Slides using Insert > Video after the conversion.
What is the best format to export from Canva for Google Slides?
PPTX (Microsoft PowerPoint) is the best format. It preserves text editability and most design elements. While PDF and images also work, they result in non-editable content in Google Slides.
Summary
Converting Canva presentations to Google Slides is straightforward using these three methods:
- PPTX Export (Recommended): Download as PowerPoint from Canva, then import into Google Slides. Best for editable content.
- Google Drive Integration: Save directly to Drive from Canva, then open with Google Slides. Convenient for cloud workflows.
- Image Export: Download as PNG/JPEG and insert into slides. Best for visual fidelity when editing is not needed.
For best results, use common fonts, avoid animations you cannot recreate, and always review every slide after conversion. Keep your original Canva file as a backup for future edits.
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