Uploads are one of the easiest areas of Canva to lose control of, but a simple structure can make a big difference. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to organize your images and videos into clear folders (either inside Uploads or in your Projects area) so you can find your media quickly while you’re designing.
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Transcript
Hands down, one of the biggest areas of frustration for Canva users is managing their images. Many people have chaotic Uploads folders and often end up re-uploading the same image multiple times simply because they can’t find it from the last time they uploaded it. I’ve worked on Canva Organization VIP Days inside accounts with thousands of images, where the same photo shows up over and over again.
The reason?
Most users don’t realize that you’ve always been able to organize your uploaded images into regular custom folders in Projects, and many people have never taken advantage of that option. Not only is that still possible (and still a very effective way to keep things organized), but Canva has now also made it possible to create folders directly inside Uploads as well, if that’s the approach you prefer.
It’s a much better system to set up a clear folder structure rather than relying on one giant Uploads folder that will quickly become a bottomless pit. Whether you do that inside of Uploads or your main Projects area is up to you; do what feels most natural for how you work.
For example, I work with a lot of styled stock imagery, so I break my folders down first by the source website, then by the subject of the images. It makes everything easy to find when I’m designing.
Here’s how to organize uploads in Canva more effectively:
If you’re organizing in your regular Projects area, start by creating a top-level folder called something like ‘Media’ or ‘Photos.’
If you’re creating folders directly inside Uploads, you can skip the top-level ‘Media’ folder since it’s already understood that everything there is media.
Then, add subfolders that make sense based on the types of images you typically upload. For example, you might use categories like:
- Headshots
- Stock Photos
- Product Images
- Screenshots
- Brand Photography
Your subfolders will depend on the nature of your business and the kinds of visuals you work with most often. A soap maker might have folders for different collections or seasonal launches, while a wedding planner might organize by different event types or past client galleries.
Then, move items out of your Uploads folder and into the relevant subfolders in your Uploads folder, or in your Projects folders.
You can drag-and-drop images or select multiple at once (by checking them off or dragging to select) and then click the folder icon to move them all at once.
Better yet, upload your files directly into the appropriate folder right from the start. If you’re using custom folders in Projects, you can upload files directly into them to skip Uploads entirely. Or if you’re organizing within Uploads, you can upload straight into the relevant folder there.
Even if you prefer to keep everything in Uploads, take advantage of folders so you’re not left scrolling through hundreds of unsorted files. Whether in Uploads or Projects, the goal is to make sure your media has a home where you can find it quickly.
So where do you find your images while you’re designing?
If you’ve set up folders inside Uploads, you’ll access your content from the Uploads tab in the left-hand object panel. If you’ve organized your media using custom folders in Projects, you’ll find your images and videos under the Projects tab instead.
