How to Get a Canva Template on Google Slides: A Step-by-Step Guide for Seamless Integration
Canva and Google Slides are two powerful tools used by educators, marketers, students, and small business owners every day. Canva offers stunning, professionally designed templates, while Google Slides is the go-to for cloud-based presentations. But what if you could combine the beauty of Canva with the collaboration features of Google Slides?
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Why Use a Canva Template in Google Slides?
Before jumping into the how-to, let’s answer a simple question: Why bother bringing a Canva template into Google Slides in the first place?
Here are a few compelling reasons:
- Design Power + Collaboration: Canva is unbeatable for design, while Google Slides is unmatched for team editing and sharing.
- Offline & Online Access: Google Slides works seamlessly online and offline—ideal for remote teams or classroom settings.
- Simplified Workflow: Use Canva’s creative templates, then customize them further in Google Slides without starting from scratch.
- Google Ecosystem Integration: Easily link your slides with Google Docs, Sheets, Forms, and Calendar.
Now let’s move on to the step-by-step tutorial.
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Step 1: Choose the Right Canva Template
Go to Canva and search for the type of presentation you want. You can type keywords like:
- Business presentation
- Classroom project
- Pitch deck
- Marketing report
- Webinar slides
Once you've found your favorite, click on it and hit “Customize this template.”
💡 Pro Tip: For the best results, choose a horizontal (16:9) presentation template to match Google Slides’ default size.
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Step 2: Edit the Canva Template (Optional)
Before exporting, you can edit the content inside Canva to suit your needs:
- Add your text, icons, logos, and images
- Change fonts or colors to match your brand
- Organize your content slide by slide
Once you're happy with the final look, you’re ready to transfer it into Google Slides.
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Step 3: Download the Canva Template as a PDF
Canva doesn’t export directly to Google Slides, but there’s a simple workaround.
Here’s how to do it:
- Click “Share” in the top-right corner of Canva.
- Select “Download.”
- Under File Type, choose PDF Standard or PDF Print for higher quality.
- Click “Download.”
Now, you have a high-quality version of your Canva template ready for import.
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Step 4: Convert the Canva PDF to Google Slides
Google Slides doesn’t natively import PDFs, so we need to bridge the gap using Google Drive or an online converter.
Option A: Use Google Drive and Google Slides (Quick & Easy)
- Open Google Drive.
- Click “+ New” > “File Upload.”
- Upload the Canva PDF file.
- Once uploaded, right-click the file > Open with > Google Slides.
⚠️ Note: This method might flatten the text into images, making them non-editable. If you want to keep content editable, try Option B below.
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Option B: Use a PDF to PPT Converter (For Editable Slides)
If you want to keep elements editable in Google Slides, use a PDF to PowerPoint (PPTX) converter:
- Use a free tool like Smallpdf, ILovePDF, or Adobe Acrobat.
- Upload your Canva PDF and convert it to PowerPoint format (.pptx).
- Download the PowerPoint file.
- Open Google Drive and upload the .pptx file.
- Right-click it > Open with > Google Slides.
Now your Canva template is editable and fully functional in Google Slides!
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Step 5: Review and Adjust Inside Google Slides
After import, go through each slide to:
- Adjust fonts or text if anything shifted
- Reposition design elements
- Add animations, speaker notes, or transitions
- Share with your team, students, or clients
Google Slides makes it easy to collaborate in real time, so now you're working in a familiar, cloud-friendly environment—with Canva’s stylish design.
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Bonus: Maintain Canva Quality in Google Slides
To make sure your Canva designs stay crisp and professional in Google Slides:
- Avoid stretching images when adjusting layout
- Use high-resolution PDF Print exports from Canva
- Stick to standard slide ratios (16:9) when designing in Canva
- If possible, use Canva Pro for access to premium templates, images, and download formats (like PPTX export for Pro users)
Common Questions Answered
Can I edit Canva elements in Google Slides?
If you export your design as a PDF, the elements are flattened into images. To keep things editable, you’ll need to convert your Canva file to PowerPoint (.pptx) and then open that in Google Slides.
Can I directly export a Canva template to Google Slides?
Not directly. Canva doesn’t currently support a direct Google Slides export. However, using the PDF or PPTX method described above is simple and works well.
Will animations from Canva work in Google Slides?
No. Animations from Canva won’t transfer to Google Slides. You’ll need to reapply them inside Google Slides manually.
Final Thoughts
Using a Canva template in Google Slides is the best of both worlds: you get Canva’s creative edge with Google’s real-time collaboration and sharing features. Whether you’re a teacher building lesson plans, a business owner preparing a pitch, or a student giving a presentation—this method will make your workflow smoother and your designs pop.
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