Canva’s AI-powered tools, including Magic Studio, can help you design faster and smarter. In this Canva tutorial, I’ll walk you through the full range of Canva AI features for creating images, generating video clips, editing photos, writing copy, and more.
Resources Mentioned
- Free Trial of Canva Pro (Affiliate Link)
Transcript
Canva offers a whole range of AI-powered tools that can help you create visuals, write copy, clean up images, and even repurpose your content, all without needing a pile of different software platforms or a team of specialists.
Some of these tools fall under what Canva calls Magic Studio, while others are grouped under their broader Canva AI features. Either way, they’re all designed to save you time, keep everything on brand, and make designing for your business a whole lot easier.
Image Generation & Editing
Let’s start by looking at Canva’s AI-powered tools for creating and editing images. Whether you’re starting from scratch with an image prompt or making precise tweaks to photos you already have, these tools help you get more done in Canva without needing advanced photo editing software.
Create an Image (Dream Lab)
Create an Image (powered by Dream Lab), turns text prompts into completely new images. You can describe exactly what you want — like “underwater image of a sea turtle near coral reef” — and Canva will generate original visuals based on your prompt.
But note that the more specific and detailed your prompt, the more effective your results will be. For example, I’ve previously used this prompt:
A photorealistic underwater image of a sea turtle resting near glowing coral, bioluminescent hues of blue, green, and purple illuminating the scene, ethereal underwater lighting, ultra-detailed textures, cinematic style, 8K resolution.
And then here are some of the gorgeous results that it came back with.
The Create an Image feature can be incredibly helpful if you’re tired of scrolling through stock photos trying to find something that matches your brand style.
Magic Media (Text to Image)
While Create an Image tends to give you the highest-quality AI-generated photos, Canva also offers an alternative called Magic Media, which also lets you create images using a text prompt. You’ll find this tool in the Apps section of the left-hand object panel or under the Elements tab, listed as AI Image Generator.
It works similarly: describe what you want to see, and Canva will generate a few visual options for you. While it’s a convenient choice, I’ve personally found that the Dream Lab powered Create an Image feature produces far more refined and professional-looking results, so that’s usually the option I reach for.
However, even as I test this now, I can see that the results have improved dramatically in Magic Media over past tests, so it’s worth keeping it in your design toolbox.
Photo Background Remover
Canva’s Background Remover is an AI-powered tool that makes it easy to cleanly eliminate the background of a photo, and it’s especially useful for product shots, headshots, or any design where you want to remove distractions and place the subject on a new background.
To use it, click on the image and then select Background Remover. Canva will automatically detect the main subject and remove everything behind it with a single click.
Note that this feature is available only to Canva Pro users.
Photo Background Generator
Unlike the Background Remover, which clears away the background, Canva’s Background Generator uses AI to create an entirely new environment behind your subject.
You can access it by clicking on a photo, choosing Edit, and selecting Background Generator.
Once you’ve opened the feature, you’ll enter a prompt describing what you want the new background to look like. Canva will then keep your subject in place but regenerate the background scene to reflect your input — like replacing a boring wall with a cozy cafe, or whatever you specify. It’s a great way to recontextualize your images to better match your brand or campaign.
Magic Edit & Magic Eraser
Magic Edit and Magic Eraser are two of Canva’s most convenient image editing tools, especially when you need to make quick, targeted changes to a photo without leaving Canva or learning complicated software.
To use Magic Edit, start by selecting a photo in your design. Then, click Edit, and choose Magic Edit. You’ll brush over the part of the image you want to change, or you can use click to select the portion you want to change, and then type in a description of what you’d like to replace it with.
That said, I’ve found the results can be quite mixed. Some photos work surprisingly well, while others can look a little off depending on the lighting or image complexity. It’s worth experimenting with, but if you’re running into inconsistent results, you’re definitely not alone.
Magic Eraser, on the other hand, is often much more consistent and successful. Just select the image, choose Magic Eraser, and brush over the part you want to remove. Whether you’re trying to get rid of a distracting background object, an unwanted logo, or something small that’s throwing off the composition, Canva will blend the surrounding area to fill in the gap automatically, and it often does a very clean job of it.
Magic Grab
Magic Grab lets you select the main subject of a photo and separate it from the background so you can move it, resize it, or repurpose it in another design.
You’ll find this by clicking on a photo, selecting Edit, and then choosing Magic Grab. Canva will automatically detect and isolate the main subject, and you can then reposition it, resize it, or even delete it, all without disturbing the rest of the image.
This is especially handy if you want to shift the layout slightly, feature your subject more prominently, or reuse it in a different design without the original background. Just note that it works best on images with clear subject-background contrast.
Grab Text
Grab Text is a Canva Pro feature found under Edit, and it’s especially useful when you want to remove text that’s part of an image, like a screenshot, a sign, or a graphic someone else created.
When you select Grab Text, Canva will scan the image for any visible text and extract it into editable text boxes that are placed right on top of the image. From there, you can modify the wording, adjust the font or colour, or delete it entirely.
While it does a solid job in most cases, it’s still a good idea to double-check for any errors, especially if the original image had stylized fonts or low contrast between the text and background.
Magic Expand
Magic Expand allows you to stretch an image beyond its original edges by intelligently filling in the extra space with AI-generated content that blends seamlessly with your existing photo, and it’s a great tool for those times when you’re trying to make a photo work in a layout it wasn’t originally shot for.
If you’ve ever dropped an image into a design, like an Instagram reel, a website banner, or a presentation slide, and found that it just doesn’t fill the space the way you need it to, this tool can help.
Rather than awkwardly cropping the image or leaving empty gaps, Magic Expand uses AI to imagine and generate additional background around the edges of your photo. So if you’re working with a square image and want to use it for a tall Instagram Story, for example, Magic Expand can add realistic top and bottom extensions that blend right in, as if the photo had been taken that way to begin with.
You’ll be able to choose which direction to expand, and Canva will generate four different variations for you to preview.
If you don’t love the first set of results, you can click Generate new results to see additional options. Sometimes the AI does a surprisingly good job, and other times the expansions might feel a little peculiar, so it’s worth experimenting until you get one that works well for your design.
Magic Morph
Magic Morph lets you instantly apply creative visual effects to text or shapes by typing in a short prompt. You can find it by searching for it in the Apps section and then following the instructions to select an element in your design and to describe the look you’re after.
It’s designed to help you add visual interest without manually layering textures or searching for overlays. That said, I’ll admit I don’t reach for this tool very often myself — if I’m trying to create a specific visual, I tend to use Create an Image instead, since it offers more creative control.
Image Editing Tools Wrap Up
As you’ve probably noticed, many of the tools I’ve covered so far are available only to Canva Pro users, or they have limited access on the free plan. If you want to test out the full range of Canva’s AI image editing tools without restrictions, you can start a free trial of Canva Pro by heading to BrendaCadman.com/pro.
Video & Audio Tools
Let’s move on to Canva’s AI-powered tools designed for editing and enhancing video and audio. Whether you’re generating new video content or cleaning up a voiceover, these tools can save a significant amount of production time.
Create a video clip (powered by Google Veo 3)
Create a video clip allows you to generate short, cinematic-quality video clips from just a simple text prompt, and it’s powered by Google’s Veo 3 model, which is currently one of the most advanced generative video tools available.
You’ll find this feature under the Canva AI tab on your homepage, listed as Create a video clip, though if you’re on a free Canva plan, you likely won’t see it as an option, as this is a premium Canva feature only available on a paid Canva plan.
Just type a description of the scene you want to create, and Canva will produce a short video based on that prompt.
For example, you might enter something like:
A dramatic overhead shot of a glacier melting into a turquoise fjord, with cinematic lighting and slow-motion water flow.
And then Canva will generate a high-quality video that matches your request — complete with natural motion, depth, and visual effects that feel like they belong in a documentary or high-end commercial.
This tool is especially powerful for creators who want to tell a visual story but don’t have the time, equipment, or budget to shoot their own footage. Whether you’re creating a brand trailer, background video for a website, or just want to elevate a presentation with something visually compelling, the Create a video clip tool can give you a professional-looking result in minutes.
As I said, this feature is currently available only to Canva Pro users, and you should also know that at this time, Pro users are limited to 5 credits per month.
And if you want to see a step-by-step walkthrough of how to use this tool, I’ve got a separate tutorial that shows how it works. I’ll link that for you in the description below.
Magic Media (Text to Video)
Magic Media’s text-to-video feature can also help you create video clips using just a simple prompt, and you can find it under the Apps panel, and once opened, you’ll type in a description of what kind of video you want Canva to create.
However, in my experience, the quality tends to vary quite a bit, and if you’re looking for cinematic, highly realistic results, the Create a video clip feature produces significantly better output. That said, since the Veo 3 integration is limited to just 5 video credits per month, Magic Media can still be a good fallback when you need more flexibility.
Video Background Remover
If you’ve ever wanted to remove the background from a video clip without using green screen footage or advanced video editing software, Canva’s Video Background Remover makes that possible. It’s an AI-powered tool that works similarly to the Background Remover for images, but for video clips.
To use it, click on your video, and select Background Remover. Canva will automatically isolate the subject and eliminate the background, allowing you to layer the clip over a new background or integrate it into a branded layout.
This feature is especially helpful for reels, video testimonials, or creating short-form content where you want a polished, professional look, without the time-consuming manual editing.
Like the image background remover version, this tool is only available with a Canva Pro account.
Beat Sync
Next up is Beat Sync, which helps match your video’s visuals to the rhythm of your audio. If you’ve ever tried to manually sync slides, clips, or transitions to a backing track, you’ll know how tricky it can be. Beat Sync automates that process.
When you add music to your Canva video, you’ll see the Beat Sync option in the top toolbar. Click it, and Canva will analyze the audio and adjust the timing of your clips to match the beat.
Highlights
Highlights is an AI-powered video editing tool that helps you automatically identify the most engaging parts of your video and trim out the rest.
You’ll find it by selecting your video, then clicking on Edit and choosing Highlights. Canva will scan the footage and suggest a shorter version that keeps the most dynamic or relevant sections, which is a great tool for repurposing longer videos into short reels, previews, or trailers.
AI Voice
AI Voice lets you turn written text into a spoken voiceover directly inside Canva, no need to record anything yourself. It’s a helpful feature for creating narrated videos, reels, or presentations, especially if you’re short on time or not comfortable recording your own voice.
There are a couple of ways to access it:
You can head to the Apps section in the left-hand object panel, then scroll to the More from Canva category and look for AI Voice. Or, if you’ve already added a text box to your design, just select the text, click on the Magic Write icon in the floating toolbar, and then choose Generate AI Voice.
Once you’ve launched the tool, Canva will convert your selected text into an audio track using an AI-generated voice. You’ll be able to choose from a range of voice styles, accents, and languages to better suit the tone of your project, but keep in mind that some of these voice options are only available to Canva Pro users.
After the audio is generated, it’s automatically added to your timeline where you can preview it, adjust the timing, or pair it with visuals.
Is it going to replace a professional voiceover artist? No, but for day-to-day use, especially if you’re trying to create more engaging content without a full production setup, AI Voice is a quick and surprisingly versatile option.
Enhance Voice
Enhance Voice is a tool that improves the clarity and quality of your recorded voiceovers, and if you’ve ever recorded audio that sounds too quiet, echoey, or muffled, this feature will clean it up and make it sound more polished, without needing to re-record.
It can be a huge time saver, especially if you’re working with limited equipment or trying to create professional-sounding audio quickly. Instead of fussing with mic settings or background noise, Enhance Voice uses AI to balance the levels, reduce noise, and boost overall clarity so your voice sounds more natural and easy to understand.
You’ll find it by selecting your audio track in the timeline and then clicking on Enhance Voice in the top toolbar. Canva will automatically process the clip and apply the improvements for you.
Video & Audio Tools Wrap Up
All of Canva’s AI-powered video and audio tools are either exclusive to a paid Canva subscription or come with limited access on the free plan, so if you want to explore everything from video background removal and cinematic video generation to AI voice and audio cleanup features, I’d recommend trying Canva Pro free for 30 days at BrendaCadman.com/pro.
Other Canva AI Tools
Not all of Canva’s AI features fall neatly into image or video categories, so let’s take a look at some of the other tools that help you write, translate, animate, and even add interactivity to your content — all without leaving the Canva editor.
Magic Animate
Magic Animate is a quick way to bring your static design to life without needing advanced animation skills. Instead of manually adding animations to each element, this tool applies cohesive motion to the entire design in just a couple of clicks.
To use it, select a page in your design and click on the Animate button in the top menu. If Magic Animate is available, you’ll see it listed as one of the animation styles. Once you select it, Canva will automatically apply movement across the design based on the layout and content, and you can adjust the animation style and speed from there.
It’s especially handy for turning social media graphics or presentations into engaging videos or reels. Rather than spending time choosing and timing animations for each item on the page, Magic Animate handles the coordination for you, giving your design smooth, professional movement with very little effort.
Magic Switch
Magic Switch is an AI-powered format transformation tool that helps you repurpose your content into different formats or languages with just a few clicks.
In most Canva designs, you’ll find Magic Switch inside the Resize menu at the top of the editor. While it shares space with Resize, the two tools serve different purposes: Resize changes the dimensions of your design, while Magic Switch transforms the format or language.
Currently, Magic Switch offers two features:
- Transform, which is about changing the document type rather than just its size. If you’re working in a standard design, you’ll see this listed as Transform into Doc, which converts a multi-page visual design — like a presentation or carousel — into a scrollable Canva Doc.
- Translate, which uses AI to translate your design’s text into another language. You just choose the target language, and Canva will convert the text automatically — ideal for creating content for multiple regions without needing separate translation tools.
If you’re working in a Canva Doc, the menu looks a bit different. You won’t see a Resize option at the top. Instead, you’ll see a Magic Switch dropdown in the top menu bar, where both Translate and Transform are listed directly.
Here, Transform lets you rework your existing Doc into a different type of Canva Doc, for example, turning long-form content into a summary or a blog post outline.
So to clarify:
- Resize changes the shape or size of your design — like switching from a landscape presentation to a square Instagram post.
- Magic Switch changes the structure or language, turning a visual design into a Canva Doc, transforming a Doc into a different type of Doc, or translating text into another language.
Magic Write
Magic Write is Canva’s AI text generator, designed to help you draft everything from a quick headline to a full outline for a presentation, blog post, or email.
You’ll find Magic Write in different places depending on what kind of design you’re working on.
If you’re in a Canva Doc, Magic Write is available in the main toolbar at the top of the page, or by clicking the plus sign (+) in the body of the document to access the quick actions menu. You can then choose from common prompts like blog post, case study, press release, and more, or type your own prompt describing what you want the tool to write. As long as your description is at least five words, Canva will generate a relevant starting draft.
If you’re working in a regular design, like a social post or presentation, you can access Magic Write by clicking on any text box and opening the floating toolbar. Click the magic write icon to reveal a list of Magic Write actions like Rewrite, Continue writing, Shorten, or adjust tone using options like More formal or More fun.
You can even generate quiz content or turn your text into an AI-generated voiceover using some of the newer features. One option you’ll also see is Change voice — and if you’re on a Canva Pro or Teams account, that feature can take into account your Brand Voice settings from your Brand Kit, helping ensure the content reflects your preferred tone and writing style.
Magic Write isn’t meant to replace thoughtful writing, but it can absolutely help you brainstorm ideas, refine your message, or overcome creative blocks more efficiently. In other words, you’ll likely want to use Magic Write as a creative assistant, something to help you get started and cut down on time staring at a blank page.
Translate
I briefly introduced you to Translate already as part of the Magic Switch tool, but let’s take a closer look at it.
Translate is Canva’s built-in language tool that makes it easy to convert your design’s text into over 100 different languages. It’s ideal if you need to share content with international audiences or create multilingual versions of your marketing materials.
There are a few different ways you can access the Translate tool, depending on where you’re working inside Canva.
If you’re in a regular design, you can access Translate from the Apps section in the left-hand object panel. Just search for “Translate,” and you’ll be able to launch the app to begin translating text across your entire design, or to make it even easier, you can select a text box that you want to translate, right-click, and choose Translate.
Alternatively, you can access Translate from the Resize menu. When you open that menu, you’ll see Magic Switch with an option to translate your design into another language. Or if you’re working in a Canva Doc, instead of seeing Resize in the menu, you’ll see an option for Magic Switch, which will include Translate as one of the available options.
This is a great time-saver if you’re building international content, so you don’t need to rely on a separate translation app or paste your copy into a third-party tool. It all happens right inside Canva, keeping your workflow streamlined and efficient.
Canva Code
Canva Code is one of the newest additions to Canva’s growing set of AI tools, and it allows you to build simple interactive tools — like calculators, quizzes, or widgets — that you can embed directly into your Canva designs. These can add a layer of interactivity that goes beyond static visuals, making your content more useful and engaging for your audience.
You’ll find Canva Code under the Canva AI tab at the top of your Canva homepage, or through the Canva AI section in the left-hand navigation menu. When you open it, you won’t need to start coding from scratch — instead, you’ll be prompted to describe what you want to create using a plain text prompt. Canva then uses AI to generate the code for you.
If you’re curious to see how it works in practice, I’ve created a tutorial where I walk through how I used Canva Code to build a simple calculator that helps Canva users estimate how much time and money might be lost due to a disorganized Canva account. You’ll find the link to that tutorial in the description below.
Magic Formulas & Magic Insights
And while I’ll be covering Canva Sheets in more detail in a separate tutorial in the future, there are two AI tools within Sheets that are worth being aware of now: Magic Formulas and Magic Insights.
- Magic Formulas allows you to write spreadsheet-style formulas using plain language, so instead of having to remember the exact syntax, you can just describe what you want, and Canva will build the formula for you.
- While Magic Insights scans the data in your Sheet and automatically identifies patterns, highlights key trends, and offers quick summaries to help you interpret the numbers more easily.
Wrap-up
So that’s a look at Canva’s growing suite of AI-powered tools, including Magic Studio, plus a number of other features that help you create, edit, and repurpose content more efficiently. Whether you’re generating visuals, cleaning up photos, transforming formats, or building interactive tools, these AI features bring powerful functionality right into your Canva workflow, without needing extra software or advanced skills.
