Fifty elements on a canvas. You need to move them all two inches to the left.
Clicking each one individually? That’s a nightmare.
Learning how to group in Canva turns that chaos into a single click.
Grouping lets you combine text boxes, shapes, icons, and images into one movable unit. Select multiple elements, hit a button, done.
This guide covers the exact steps for desktop and mobile. You’ll learn keyboard shortcuts, toolbar methods, and fixes for when grouping won’t work.
Takes about two minutes to master. Works on both the free version and Pro accounts.
How to Group in Canva
Grouping in Canva is the process of combining multiple design elements into a single movable unit.
You select two or more objects, hit a button or keyboard shortcut, and they become one.
Users need this when building layouts with text boxes, shapes, icons, and images that must stay aligned.
This guide covers 4 methods requiring about 2 minutes total. Beginner-friendly, works on both Free and Canva Pro accounts.
Prerequisites
- Canva account (Free or Pro version)
- Canva web browser, desktop app, or mobile app
- A design with at least two elements on the canvas
- 1-2 minutes to complete
- No prior design experience needed
Step One: How Do You Select Multiple Elements in Canva?
Click the first element, hold Shift (Windows) or Command (Mac), then click each additional item you want included.
A selection box appears around everything you picked.
Alternative method: click and drag your cursor across multiple objects to select them all at once.
Action
- Keyboard method: Shift + Click (Windows) or Command + Click (Mac) on each element
- Drag method: Click empty space, drag cursor over all target elements
- Expected result: Blue or purple border surrounds all selected items
Purpose
Proper element selection determines what gets grouped together.
Miss one item and you’ll need to ungroup, reselect, and start over. Getting this right the first time saves actual minutes when you’re working on complex designs with dozens of objects.
Step Two: Where Do You Find the Group Option in Canva?
The floating toolbar appears automatically after selecting multiple elements.
Look for the Group button directly on this toolbar. It shows two overlapping rectangles.
Can’t see it? Right-click your selection and choose Group from the context menu instead.
Action
- Floating toolbar: Appears above or below your selection with Group button visible
- Right-click menu: Select elements > Right-click > Choose “Group”
- Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + G (Windows) or Command + G (Mac)
Purpose
Canva gives you three access points to the same function.
The toolbar works best for visual confirmation. Keyboard shortcuts speed up your workflow once you’ve memorized them. Right-click is there when the toolbar gets hidden behind other elements.
Step Three: How Do You Group Elements Using the Toolbar?
With your elements selected, click the Group button on the floating toolbar.
The individual selection borders merge into one unified border around all objects.
Drag anywhere inside that border and everything moves together.
Action
- Click location: Group button (two overlapping squares icon) on floating toolbar
- Visual confirmation: Single selection border replaces multiple individual borders
- Test it: Drag the group to verify all elements move as one unit
Purpose
The toolbar method gives you immediate visual feedback.
You can see exactly when grouping succeeds because the interface changes. Useful when you’re learning what Canva can do or when you need to confirm that all intended elements got included before moving forward with your design.
Step Four: How Do You Group Elements Using Keyboard Shortcuts?
Select your elements, press Ctrl + G (Windows) or Command + G (Mac).
Instant grouping without touching the toolbar. Takes under one second.
Action
- Windows shortcut: Ctrl + G
- Mac shortcut: Command + G
- Expected result: Elements group immediately, single border appears
Purpose
Keyboard shortcuts cut your design workflow time significantly.
Once muscle memory kicks in, you’ll group and ungroup without thinking about it.
How Do You Group Elements in the Canva Mobile App?
The Canva mobile app uses touch selection instead of keyboard commands.
Tap one element, access the menu, then use Select Multiple to add more items.
Action
- Step 1: Tap the first element on your design canvas
- Step 2: Tap “More” (three dots icon) in the bottom menu
- Step 3: Select “Select Multiple” option
- Step 4: Tap each additional element you want
- Step 5: Tap “Group” from the menu
Purpose
Mobile grouping works differently because there’s no Shift key on touchscreens.
The Select Multiple option compensates for this limitation on iPad and smartphone devices.
How Do You Edit Individual Elements Inside a Group?
Double-click any element within the group to edit it directly.
Change text, adjust colors, or modify that single item without breaking the group apart.
Action
- Access method: Double-click the specific element inside the grouped selection
- Edit options: Modify text content, change hue, adjust saturation
- Exit editing: Click anywhere outside the element to return to grouped state
Purpose
Nested editing saves time versus ungrouping, editing, then regrouping everything.
Perfect for quick text fixes or color palette adjustments.
How Do You Ungroup Elements in Canva?
Click the grouped elements, then hit the Ungroup button on the floating toolbar.
Each element returns to being independently movable.
Action
- Toolbar method: Select group > Click “Ungroup” button
- Keyboard shortcut: Shift + Ctrl + G (Windows) or Shift + Command + G (Mac)
- Right-click method: Select group > Right-click > Choose “Ungroup”
Purpose
Ungrouping lets you reposition or delete individual items when your design needs change.
Common when adjusting alignment or reworking layout structure.
What Elements Cannot Be Grouped in Canva?
Some element types refuse to group together. Knowing these limits prevents frustration.
Elements That Cannot Be Grouped
- Videos with other elements: Video files stay independent from text, images, and shapes
- Elements across multiple pages: Grouping works only within a single page
- Locked elements: Unlock first by right-clicking and selecting “Unlock”
- Third-party app content: Elements from the Apps tab need conversion to PNG or JPG first
- Some charts and tables: Certain data visualizations function as standalone objects
Workaround for Third-Party Content
Right-click the element, select Download selection, save as PNG.
Re-upload to Canva and it becomes a regular image you can group freely.
Verification
Confirm your grouping worked correctly with these checks:
- Single border: One unified selection border surrounds all elements
- Movement test: Drag anywhere inside the border, everything moves together
- Resize test: Corner handles resize all grouped items proportionally
- Rotation test: Rotating affects the entire group as one unit
Troubleshooting
Group Option Not Appearing
Issue: The Group button is missing from the toolbar.
Solution: You likely have only one element selected. Hold Shift and click additional items until the Group option appears.
Cannot Group Certain Elements
Issue: Selected elements won’t combine into a group.
Solution: Check if any element is locked (right-click > Unlock) or if you’re trying to group video files with other content types.
Elements Misaligned After Grouping
Issue: Grouped items don’t line up correctly.
Solution: Use the alignment tools before grouping. Select all elements, click Align on the toolbar, choose your preferred visual hierarchy option.
Mobile App Grouping Not Working
Issue: Tap-and-hold doesn’t select multiple elements on mobile.
Solution: Use the “Select Multiple” option from the More menu instead. Standard touch gestures don’t work for multi-selection in Canva.
Related Processes
- How to crop in Canva
- How to use frames in Canva
- How to flip an image in Canva
- How to add a text box in Canva
- How to change background color on Canva
FAQ on How To Group In Canva
What Is the Keyboard Shortcut to Group Elements in Canva?
Press Ctrl + G on Windows or Command + G on Mac after selecting multiple elements. This instantly combines your selection into one unit. To ungroup, use Shift + Ctrl + G (Windows) or Shift + Command + G (Mac).
Can You Group Elements in the Canva Mobile App?
Yes. Tap an element, select “More” (three dots), then tap “Select Multiple.” Choose additional items by tapping them. Hit “Group” from the menu. The process differs from desktop because touchscreens lack a Shift key.
Why Can’t I Group Elements in Canva?
Common reasons: only one element selected, elements are locked, or you’re trying to group videos with other content. Third-party app elements also resist grouping. Download those as PNG files, re-upload them, then group normally.
How Do I Ungroup Elements in Canva?
Click the grouped elements, then select “Ungroup” from the floating toolbar. Right-click and choose Ungroup works too. Each element becomes independently movable again, letting you reposition or delete individual items.
Can You Group Text and Images Together in Canva?
Absolutely. Text boxes, images, shapes, icons, and frames all group together without issues. Select everything using Shift + Click, then hit the Group button. Useful when building layouts where proximity between elements matters.
How Do I Edit a Single Element Inside a Group?
Double-click the specific element within the group. Edit text, change colors, or adjust that item without ungrouping everything. Click outside when done. The group stays intact while you make individual modifications.
Can You Group Elements Across Multiple Pages in Canva?
No. Grouping only works within a single page. Elements on different pages cannot combine into one group. If you need identical grouped elements on multiple pages, create the group first, then duplicate it to other pages.
Does Grouping Work in Canva Free?
Yes. The group and ungroup features work identically in both Free and Pro versions. No subscription required. All selection methods, keyboard shortcuts, and toolbar options function the same regardless of your account type.
How Do I Select Multiple Elements to Group in Canva?
Two methods: hold Shift (Windows) or Command (Mac) while clicking each element, or click empty space and drag a selection box across everything you want. Both approaches work for batch editing and grouping.
Can You Create Nested Groups in Canva?
Yes. Group several elements, then group that group with other elements or groups. Canva supports groups within groups for complex designs. Keep in mind that deeply nested groups can become tricky to edit later.
Conclusion
Knowing how to group in Canva transforms the way you manage complex designs.
No more dragging elements one by one. No more accidentally misaligning objects you spent ten minutes positioning.
The Group button, keyboard shortcuts, and right-click menu all do the same thing. Pick whichever fits your workflow.
Mobile users have the Select Multiple option. Desktop users get Ctrl + G or Command + G.
Double-click to edit individual items inside a group. Use Ungroup when you need to rearrange things.
Grouping keeps your design organization tight and your editing process fast.
Start combining elements now. Your design workflow will thank you.
Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.
His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.
He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.
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Bogdan Sandu is a seasoned designer who has been designing websites since 2008. Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients. His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8. He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.
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