Canva Video Editor 2.0 (Beta)

Discover Canva’s new multi-track video editor 2.0, learn the timeline, and join our free Friday workshop to master it fast.

Switching Between Canva’s Old and New Video Editors

Before we dig into all the shiny new tools, let’s start with something practical—you can go back. Canva made sure you don’t lose your sanity (or your schedule) while learning the Beta.

If you prefer the original video editor interface, here’s how to toggle between the two versions:

1. Go to https://www.canva.com/settings/your-account
   
   
2. Scroll down to the “Video Editing” section.
   
   
3. Look for “Use new multi-track video editor (beta)”.
   
   

You can toggle it on or off at any time.

What’s New in Canva Video Editor 2.0—and Why It Matters

The old Canva video workflow was based on “pages,” similar to a PowerPoint deck. It was simple, but limited. Version 2.0 reimagines that simplicity with professional-grade control, turning Canva into a true multi-track video editing platform.

1. Multi-Track Timeline

The biggest upgrade is the multi-track timeline—think of it like layers for video.

You can now:

• Stack video, audio, and graphics on separate tracks
  
  
• Move clips independently without affecting others
  
  
• Layer brand elements, titles, or animations over video footage
  
  

This is a game-changer for social media creators, marketers, and agencies that rely on brand consistency.

2. Direct Clip Editing

No more bouncing between pages.

You can trim, split, and rearrange clips directly from the timeline, just like you would in Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro—only simpler.

This means your editing workflow feels smoother and more intuitive, especially if you’re piecing together short-form videos.

3. Visual Audio Waveforms

For the first time, you can see the audio waveform on your track.

That might not sound huge, but it’s a major improvement for syncing clips, transitions, and sound effects.

If you’ve ever struggled to match a beat drop or a voiceover to visuals, this feature alone saves hours.

4. Professional Trimming & Zoom Control

Need to fine-tune? You can zoom into the timeline for frame-level precision.

This level of control brings Canva much closer to traditional video-editing tools while staying easy enough for non-professionals.

Understanding the Video Timeline in Canva Beta

If you’re used to Canva’s old “page” layout, the new timeline may look intimidating. Let’s break it down—because once you understand this workspace, everything else clicks.

What Is the Timeline?

The timeline sits at the bottom of the editor and represents your video over time.

It’s where clips, audio, and elements are arranged—showing what plays when and how everything layers together. Think of it as your creative map: it tells the story of your video second by second.

Key Components of the Canva Timeline

• Playhead: A vertical line showing your current position. Drag it left or right to scrub through your video.
  
  
• Time Ruler: Displays time in seconds and minutes, helping you align cuts precisely.
  
  
• Track Area: Where you place and organize all your media—videos, photos, audio, and elements.
  
  
• Play Controls: Play, pause, or preview your project directly from the workspace.
  
  
• Plus (+) Button: Quickly add new videos, photos, or backgrounds.
  
  
• Add Audio Button: Browse Canva’s vast library of music and sound effects or upload your own.
  
  

Once you’re familiar with these components, editing becomes a breeze.

How Tracks Work in Canva’s Multi-Track Editor

Tracks are like transparent layers stacked on top of each other—each controlling a different type of content.

Main Track

This is your primary video track, marked by the thicker bar with a plus sign next to it.
Use it for your main footage, photos, or background clips.
Each clip in this track plays sequentially, one after another.

Upper Tracks

The upper tracks sit above the main track.
They’re ideal for text, overlays, or graphics—anything that should appear on top of your main video.
You can even drag items from the main track upward to layer visuals or create picture-in-picture effects.

Audio Tracks

Separate from the visuals, the audio section holds your music, sound effects, and voiceovers.
This separation makes it much easier to adjust timing and levels independently.

Layering Rule

Canva follows a simple rule:

Clips in higher tracks will appear on top of clips in lower tracks.

Just like in Photoshop, layers on top visually cover those below. Once you grasp this, Canva’s system feels completely natural.

Why Canva Changed the Video Editor

Canva’s mission has always been about empowering anyone to design anything—and video has become the centerpiece of modern communication.
From Instagram Reels to YouTube Shorts, TikToks, and branded video ads, motion content rules social media.

The new Beta editor bridges the gap between beginner-friendly and professional-capable. Canva recognized that creators were exporting drafts from its old video tool into other platforms for finishing touches. Now, you can do it all inside Canva—with advanced editing precision, yet without the complexity of traditional software.

It’s also a move toward collaboration and AI-driven creativity, aligning with Canva’s long-term roadmap of smart, unified design experiences across visuals, documents, and video.

Creating Social Media Videos with Canva’s Updated Tools

Canva Video 2.0 gives marketers and creators the ability to build professional-looking videos quickly, with the same drag-and-drop experience that made Canva famous.

Here are a few ideas for how to use the new timeline effectively:

Social Media Reels

• Import multiple vertical clips and use the multi-track timeline to line up transitions perfectly with music beats.
  
  
• Add branded overlays and motion text on upper tracks.
  
  
• Sync sound effects visually with waveforms for impact.
  
  

Promo Videos

• Mix background B-roll with your logo and call-to-action graphics.
  
  
• Layer music underneath a voiceover, trimming precisely to hit your message on time.
  
  

Training or Course Content

• Create talking-head intros combined with screen-share recordings.
  
  
• Add captions and highlight text for better engagement.
  
  

These workflows are faster now, and with better audio control, you’ll notice your videos feel more polished—without needing to export into professional tools.

Coming Soon (Kinda): Magic Media, AI Integration, and What’s Next

Canva’s roadmap hints at some exciting—and slightly experimental—features.

Magic Media: AI-Generated Video Clips

Magic Media lets you generate video from text prompts, similar to AI video tools like Runway or Pika.
While the concept is groundbreaking, the output quality isn’t quite there yet. Expect short, looping clips that work better for B-roll or background motion than full-scene storytelling.

Still, it’s worth experimenting—it shows where Canva is headed.

ChatGPT Integration: Design by Prompt

Another emerging feature is ChatGPT integration, allowing users to generate Canva templates or designs directly from an AI chat.
You can type something like:

“Create a 15-second promotional video for a coffee shop with upbeat music and fall colors.”

ChatGPT generates a link that opens directly in Canva, pre-built and ready to customize.

Right now, it’s promising but imperfect—AI sometimes misjudges aspect ratios or misses brand colors—but as the two platforms evolve, expect seamless prompt-to-design workflows.

At Web Education Services, we’ve tested this integration with our own Marketing Launchpad Program and it’s an exciting glimpse into the future of DIY marketing.

Pro Tips to Get Comfortable with Canva Video 2.0

If you’re testing the new editor for client projects or your own brand, keep these best practices in mind:

1. Save Versions Often – While Beta features are stable, toggling between editors can sometimes reset clip order.
   
   
2. Use Folder Organization – Keep assets (logos, clips, music) in brand folders for faster access.
   
   
3. Leverage Templates – Canva’s video templates are now timeline-based, giving you structure to learn from.
   
   
4. Practice Layering – Try combining motion text, overlays, and transitions on different tracks.
   
   
5. Play with Audio Waveforms – Align beats to cuts for high-energy reels and ads.
   
   
6. Zoom In for Precision – Frame-by-frame trimming turns amateur cuts into pro transitions.
   
   
7. Experiment Before Launching Big Campaigns – Practice on short videos before tackling long tutorials or webinars.

Why This Matters for Businesses and Creators

Video isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s now the primary storytelling format for every brand.

According to HubSpot, over 90 % of marketers say video helps them generate leads and increase engagement.
The new Canva Beta Editor makes it possible for small teams, solopreneurs, and non-designers to compete with larger production studios—because now, speed and creativity matter more than expensive software.

If your business already uses Canva for graphics or social content, learning the video tools means you can create complete campaigns within one platform:

• Social posts
  
  
• Email graphics
  
  
• Landing page headers
  
  
• Short-form videos
  
  

Everything remains consistent with your brand colors and typography—no exporting between apps, no lost files, no bottlenecks.

Join Our Canva Video 2.0 Workshop

Change is easier when you learn it together.

That’s why we’re hosting a live session this Friday at 2 p.m. to walk through everything inside the new Canva Video Editor 2.0—step by step.

• Learn to switch between Beta and Classic
• Master the timeline and multi-track layers
• Explore Magic Media and ChatGPT prompts
• Build your first video from start to finish

👉 Register here and join us for a fun, hands-on learning session.

Join our Friday workshops at 2 PM Eastern where we walk through real marketing strategies step by step.

Sign up here.

Or, learn at your own pace with our Marketing Essentials Self-Paced Online Course.

Learn more here.