You need to create videos but don’t have the time to learn complex editing software or the budget for expensive tools. Maybe you’re a content creator rushing to meet deadlines, a marketer trying to boost engagement, or a small business owner looking to create professional videos without hiring a production team.
Canva’s AI video editor solves this. You can create and edit videos directly in your browser or mobile app using AI powered tools that handle the heavy lifting. No downloads, no steep learning curve, and you can start for free.
This guide shows you exactly how to use Canva’s AI video editor from start to finish. You’ll learn how to access it online and on the app, generate videos from text prompts or images, edit with AI tools like automated captions and transitions, and export your finished videos. By the end, you’ll know how to create professional looking videos in minutes instead of hours.
What Canva AI video editor is and how it works
Canva AI video editor is a built-in suite of tools inside Canva’s platform that uses artificial intelligence to create and edit videos. You access these AI-powered features directly from your Canva dashboard, whether you’re using the web browser version or the mobile app. The system combines multiple AI capabilities into one interface: text-to-video generation, automated editing, B-roll insertion, caption creation, and effects application.
Core AI features you can use
The platform offers several distinct AI tools for different video tasks. You can generate videos from text prompts alone, where the AI creates scenes based on your description. Upload images and turn them into animated video clips, add AI-generated B-roll footage to fill gaps, or automatically generate synchronized captions for accessibility. These tools work together inside the same editor, so you don’t need to switch between different applications.
The AI handles the technical work of video creation, leaving you to focus on the creative direction and message.
How the AI generation process works
When you provide input (text, images, or existing video), the AI analyzes it and generates appropriate visual content in real-time. Entering a prompt triggers the system to interpret your request and create matching video clips with synchronized audio or effects. Generation typically takes seconds to a few minutes depending on complexity. You maintain full control to adjust, regenerate, or manually edit any AI-generated element before finalizing your video.
Step 1. Open Canva AI video editor on web or app
You start by accessing Canva through either your web browser or the mobile app. Both platforms provide the same AI video editing capabilities.
On the web browser
Go to canva.com and sign in (or create a free account). Click “Create a design” in the top right, then select “Video” from design types. AI tools become available once you’re in the editor.
You don’t need to download software to use the Canva AI video editor.
On the mobile app
Download the Canva app from your app store and sign in. Tap the “+” button at the bottom center, then select “Video”. AI features appear in your editor toolbar after opening a project.
Step 2. Choose how you want to create your video
Canva gives you three main paths to start creating videos with AI. Your choice depends on what materials you have and how much creative control you want from the beginning.
Generate videos from text prompts
Type a text description of the video you want, and the AI creates it from scratch. Click “Create a Video Clip” or navigate to the AI video generator app in your sidebar. Enter specific prompts like “a professional presenting data in a modern office” or “product showcase with smooth camera movements” to get better results.
The AI produces video clips complete with visuals and can add synchronized audio effects. You can regenerate different versions by adjusting your prompt until you get the result you need.
The more specific your text prompt, the closer the generated video matches your vision.
Upload images or existing video clips
Start with your own materials by uploading photos, graphics, or video files. Click the “Uploads” tab in your left sidebar and drag files directly into your project. The canva ai video editor transforms static images into animated clips using effects like AI Kiss, AI Dance, or standard transitions.
This method works well when you have brand assets or specific visuals that must appear in your video. You maintain full control over the source material while letting AI handle animation and enhancement.
Select a template and customize
Browse Canva’s video templates and pick one that matches your goal. Filter by category (social media, ads, presentations) to find relevant starting points. Templates include pre-arranged scenes with placeholders you can replace using AI-generated content or your uploads.
Templates save setup time while giving you a professional structure to work within. Apply AI tools to individual template elements after you customize the basic layout.
Step 3. Use Canva AI to edit and enhance video
After you create your initial video, the canva ai video editor provides AI-powered tools to polish and improve your content. These editing features work on any video in your project, whether you generated it with AI or uploaded your own footage. You access most tools through the top toolbar or by clicking directly on video elements in your timeline.
Add AI-generated B-roll footage
Insert supplemental footage automatically to make your videos more engaging. Click on a video clip in your timeline, then select “Add B-roll” from the options menu. Type a description of the footage you need (like “coffee being poured” or “team collaboration in office”) and the AI generates relevant clips that match your request.
The system places B-roll over your main footage as an overlay. You can adjust the size, position, and duration by dragging the corners and edges. This feature fills visual gaps when your main footage lacks variety or when you need to cover sections where the visual content doesn’t match your narration.
Generate automatic captions
Add synchronized subtitles to your video with one click. Select your video clip and click “Captions” in the toolbar, then choose “Auto-generate”. The AI transcribes your audio and creates time-synced text that appears at the bottom of your video.
You can edit caption text directly if the AI misses words or names. Change the font, size, color, and position of captions to match your brand style. Captions improve accessibility and increase engagement since many viewers watch videos with sound off.
Captions make your videos accessible to more viewers and boost watch time across platforms.
Apply AI effects and transitions
Enhance your clips using pre-built AI effects available in the apps menu. Search for effects like “AI Kiss,” “AI Dance,” or “AI Fight” to add creative animations to static images or video clips. These effects analyze your visual content and apply appropriate transformations automatically.
Add smooth transitions between scenes by clicking the space between two clips and selecting a transition style. The AI adjusts timing to create natural flow between different video segments.
Step 4. Save, download, and share your video
Once you finish editing your video, the canva ai video editor lets you export and distribute your content directly. Click the “Share” button in the top right corner to access all output options. You can download the file to your device or share it through Canva’s built-in distribution tools.
Download your video file
Select “Download” from the share menu and choose your file format. Canva offers MP4 (recommended), GIF, and other video formats depending on your needs. Pick the video quality (standard or high) based on where you plan to publish. Higher quality files take longer to process but look better on large screens.
Downloaded videos keep all your AI-generated effects, captions, and enhancements intact.
The download starts immediately after processing completes. You’ll find the file in your browser’s download folder or your mobile device’s gallery.
Share directly from the platform
Skip downloading by clicking “Share” and selecting a destination. Post directly to social media platforms, send via email, or create a shareable link. The link option lets anyone view your video without downloading, which works well for quick previews and team collaboration.
Next steps
You now know how to use the canva ai video editor from opening it on web or mobile to exporting finished videos. The AI tools handle video generation, editing, captioning, and effects while you maintain creative control over the final product and visual direction throughout the entire creation process from start to finish.
Start creating your first video today using the free version of Canva. Test different text prompts, upload your images, or apply AI effects to existing footage to see which features best fit your workflow. The more you experiment with these tools, the faster you’ll produce professional videos for any platform.
Looking for more AI tools to enhance your content creation beyond video? Explore our curated collection of video AI solutions and other productivity tools at ThinkZipper to discover the perfect additions to your creative toolkit.
