Canva PDF Workflow

Introduction

A PDF exported directly from Canva often has severe accessibility issues, including missing tags and poor reading order. To create a more accessible PDF from your Canva design, follow the steps below. This workflow leverages Canva, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat Pro to improve accessibility, but does not guarantee full compliance with accessibility standards.

Workflow

1

Use Canva’s Accessibility Checker

  1. Create your design in Canva using CU Anschutz design templates.
  2. Select File > Accessibility > Check design accessibility.
  3. Review accessibility issues and add alt text to images.
    1. Select each image or graphical element.
    2. Add meaningful alt text that describes the content and purpose of the image.
    3. Mark decorative elements: For purely decorative graphics (e.g., borders, background shapes), mark them as decorative so they are ignored by screen readers.

Reminder: Alt text should be concise and descriptive. Avoid phrases like “image of…” Learn about alt text. 

2

Export from Canva to PowerPoint

  1. Select File > Download.
  2. Choose PowerPoint (.pptx) as the file format.
  3. Download and open the file in Microsoft PowerPoint.
3

Use PowerPoint’s Reading Order Panel

  1. Go to the Review tab, select Check Accessibility.
  2. In the Accessibility tab, open the Reading Order Pane.
  3. Review each slide:
    1. Ensure content is ordered logically (e.g., title first, then body text, then images).
    2. Reorder elements if needed using drag and drop in the panel.
  4. Save.
4

Export to PDF from PowerPoint

  1. Go to File > Export.
  2. Choose PDF as the format.
  3. Make sure “Best for electronic distribution and accessibility” is selected.
  4. Export.
5

Open PDF in Adobe Acrobat

  1. Open the exported PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
  2. Go to Tools > Prepare for Accessibility > Check for accessibility.
  3. Select Start Checking.
  4. Issues will be displayed in the Accessibility Checker panel.
6

Fix Issues and Add Headings

  1. Review and fix issues. Learn about accessibility issues in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
  2. Add headings to the document (PowerPoint does not use headings).
    1. Open the Tags panel and expand the tag tree.
    2. Add or correct headings (<H1>, <H2>, etc.) where needed. Learn about headings.
      1. Example: Double click on a paragraph <P> tag, and type <H1> to change it to a heading 1 tag.

Additional Resources

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