How to Add a Table in Canva (Rows, Borders and Merged Cells)

Timetables, comparison charts, class schedules, a simple list of services with what's included: tables make information easy to scan, and Canva lets you drop one into almost any design without opening a spreadsheet.

I use them a lot in lead magnets and slide decks, because a clean grid often says more than three paragraphs. Here's how to add one, fill it, style it and fix the common snags, based on Canva's help centre.

Adding a table in Canva from the Elements tab

Canva's help gives this route, and it's the same idea on desktop and the phone app:

1. Open your design and select Elements in the side panel (on the app, tap Elements in the bottom toolbar).
2. Scroll to the Tables section.
3. Select a table to add it to your page.
4. Double click any cell to start typing.

Every table starts with a default number of rows and columns. You'll add or remove them in a moment. Once it's on the page you can drag it, resize it and layer it like any other element, so it's worth placing it roughly where you want it before you start typing.

The quick /table shortcut in Canva

This is my favourite trick and it's in Canva's own tips. Type /table anywhere on your design and Canva lets you add a table and say how many rows and columns you need straight away. It saves resizing a default grid when you already know you want, say, 4 columns and 8 rows.

Pasting spreadsheet data into a Canva table

If your numbers or text already live in a spreadsheet, you don't have to retype them. Canva says that on desktop at canva.com you can copy data from a spreadsheet and paste it into your table.

What you can't do yet is import a file straight into a table. Canva's help says it's working on that feature, so for now copy and paste is the route. Paste from a computer rather than the app, since the help describes this on desktop.

Adding, moving and deleting rows in a Canva table

For rows and columns, Canva's steps are:

• Add a row: select the table, click the more icon that appears and choose Add row.
• Add a column: select the table, click the more icon and choose Add column.
• Delete or move a column: hover over it and click the more icon that appears above the column.
• Delete or move a row: hover over it and click the more icon that appears beside the row.

To make the layout look tidy, open the table's More menu and pick Size rows equally or Size columns equally. If your text varies in length, Size rows to content or Size columns to content fits each one to what's inside. Canva notes that the column options aren't supported for tables in Canva Docs.

Styling a Canva table: borders and cell colours

A plain black grid rarely matches a brand. Here's how Canva's help says to change it:

1. Select the table and click Border on the editor toolbar.
2. Choose which borders you want to change, such as outside edges only or all inner lines.
3. Click the colour tile to pick a border colour.
4. Click the Border style icon and move the slider to change the thickness.

To shade cells, select one (hold Cmd on a Mac or Ctrl on Windows to pick several), click the colour tile on the toolbar and choose a colour. The rainbow plus icon lets you enter a custom brand colour, and you can use gradients too.

Table job	Where to find it in Canva
Change border colour or thickness	Border on the toolbar, then colour tile or Border style
Shade a header row	Select the cells, then the colour tile
Even out column widths	More icon, then Size columns equally
Join cells into one	Select them, right-click, Merge cells

Merging cells in a Canva table

For a header that spans the whole table, merge cells. Select the cells you want (hold Shift and click to pick more than one), right-click and choose Merge cells. To split them again, right-click the merged cell and pick Unmerge cell. Canva says these steps work both in Canva Sheets and in tables placed in designs.

Using Canva tables in business designs

A few places where a table earns its spot:

• Lead magnets and workbooks: checklists and planners laid out as a grid.
• Presentations: a side-by-side comparison of options for a client.
• Social posts: a weekly schedule or opening hours, styled in brand colours.
• Reports and documents: if you build multi-page docs in Canva, pair tables with page numbers in Canva so readers can find their way around.

Keep fonts small but readable, use one highlight colour for the header row and leave plenty of white space. If you're still deciding whether Canva is the right tool for this kind of document work, my honest look at who Canva suits might help.

If your Canva table won't behave

1. Can't type in a cell? Double click it rather than single clicking.
2. Can't find Tables? Scroll further down the Elements tab, or type /table on your design.
3. Paste not working? Try on desktop at canva.com, which is where Canva describes pasting spreadsheet data.
4. Size columns equally missing? You may be in Canva Docs, where Canva says that option isn't supported.
5. Want to select a whole row in Canva Sheets? Canva's tip is to tap the row number or column letter.

Frequently asked questions

How do I insert a table in Canva?

Select Elements in the side panel, scroll to Tables and click one to add it. You can also type /table on your design and choose how many rows and columns you need.

Can I paste Excel or Google Sheets data into a Canva table?

Yes, on desktop at canva.com. Copy the data from your spreadsheet and paste it into the table. Importing a file directly isn't available yet.

How do I add a row to a table in Canva?

Select the table, click the more icon that appears and choose Add row. Use Add column for columns.

How do I change table border colour in Canva?

Select the table, click Border on the toolbar, choose which borders to edit, then pick a colour from the colour tile. The Border style slider changes thickness.

Can I merge cells in a Canva table?

Yes. Select the cells, right-click and choose Merge cells. Right-click a merged cell and pick Unmerge cell to split it.