Yes, you can make an ATS-friendly resume in Canva, but only if you use the right template and export it correctly. The catch is that most Canva templates are visually rich and will confuse applicant tracking systems (ATS), so you need to choose a simple, single-column design and download it as a .docx or plain text file, not a PDF image.
What ATS Actually Reads
Applicant tracking systems parse your resume by extracting text and organizing it into fields like name, work history, and skills. They do not “see” design. If your resume has text boxes, graphics, or multi-column layouts, the parser can scramble the order, merge columns, or drop entire sections. A 2023 study by Jobscan found that 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human sees them, and formatting is the top reason.
ATS software reads left-to-right, top-to-bottom. It looks for standard section headings like “Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.” It also needs your contact info in a simple line, not in a header or footer. When you use Canva, the default templates often place text in floating boxes, which the parser reads in a random order. That’s why a basic, single-column template with clear headings is your only safe bet.
How Canva Resumes Fail ATS
Three common Canva design choices break ATS parsing:
- Text boxes: Canva treats every piece of text as a separate object. The ATS reads them in the order they were created, not visually. So your name might appear after your job description.
- Columns: Two or three columns force the parser to read across, then down. It often reads the left column fully, then the right, which mixes up your skills with your work history.
- Graphics and icons: Any text inside a shape or over an image is often unreadable. Even decorative lines can cause the parser to skip nearby text.
Another issue is the file format. Canva’s default download is a PDF. Most ATS can read PDFs, but they read them as images if the PDF is not text-based. Canva’s PDFs are vector-based, so they usually contain text, but the text order is still determined by the object order, not the visual layout. Downloading as a .docx (Word) file is safer because the text is in a linear flow, but Canva’s .docx export often loses formatting and can still have text boxes.
How to Make an ATS-Friendly Canva Resume
Follow these steps to create a resume that passes ATS while still using Canva:
- Pick a single-column template. Search Canva for “simple resume” or “minimalist resume.” Avoid any template with two or more columns, sidebars, or colored blocks.
- Remove all graphics. Delete any icons, photos, or decorative shapes. Keep only text and horizontal lines under headings.
- Use standard headings. Label sections exactly as “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.” Do not use creative titles like “My Journey” or “What I Bring.”
- Keep text in one column. Ensure every line of text is in a single, continuous block. Do not use text boxes for each job; instead, use the main text area.
- Export as .docx. Click Share > Download, then choose “Microsoft Word” (.docx). If that option is not available, choose “Plain text” (.txt) and then paste the content into a Word document with simple formatting.
- Check the text order. Open the downloaded file and read it from top to bottom. If any section appears out of order, fix it in Canva and re-download.
If you must use a PDF, ensure it is a text-based PDF. You can test it by opening the PDF in a text editor or using a free ATS checker like Jobscan or Resume Worded. They will tell you if your resume is parseable.
Choosing the Right Canva Template
Canva has thousands of resume templates. For ATS, you need one that is:
- Single-column: No sidebars, no two-column layouts.
- Plain background: White or light solid color, no patterns or images.
- Standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica. Avoid script or decorative fonts.
- No tables: Some templates use tables for skills or experience. Tables often confuse ATS.
Search for “simple” or “clean” in Canva’s template search. Look for templates that have a single vertical line of text. A good example is a template with your name at the top, then contact info, then sections stacked down the page. Avoid any template with a colored sidebar or a header box.
What to Do If You Love a Visual Template
If you really want a visually designed resume for human readers, you have two options:
- Use a hybrid approach: Create a plain, ATS-friendly resume for online applications, and a visually designed one for in-person networking or emailing directly to a recruiter. Many job seekers do this.
- Convert to a standard format: After designing in Canva, copy the text into a Word document with simple formatting. You lose the design, but you keep the content.
Remember that most large companies use ATS to filter resumes before a human sees them. If your resume does not parse, it will never reach a recruiter. So the visual design only matters if your resume gets past the ATS first.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Even with a simple template, people make errors:
- Using a header or footer for contact info. ATS often ignores headers and footers. Put your name and contact info in the main body, at the top of the page.
- Including a photo or logo. Some ATS will reject resumes with photos because of privacy concerns. Also, the parser may try to read text from the image.
- Using bullet points with custom icons. Use standard round bullets, not checkmarks or arrows. If you use icons, the parser may skip the text after them.
- Spelling out dates incorrectly. Use “Jan 2020 – Mar 2023” instead of “January 2020 to March 2023.” Consistency helps the parser.
- Not saving as .docx. Many ATS prefer .docx over PDF. If you save as a PDF, ensure it is not an image PDF.
Test your final file with a free ATS checker. Paste your resume text into the checker and see if it extracts your name, phone number, and job titles correctly. If it does, you are good.
Template
Sample (fictional):
Jane Doe
123 Main St, Anytown, USA | (555) 123-4567 | jane.doe@email.com
Work Experience
Marketing Manager, ABC Corp, Anytown, USA
Jan 2020 – Present
- Led a team of 5 in digital campaigns.
- Increased organic traffic by 40%.
Education
B.A. in Communications, State University, 2015
Skills
SEO, Content Strategy, Team Leadership
Blank Template:
| Name: | _________________________ |
| Phone: | _________________________ |
| Email: | _________________________ |
| LinkedIn: | _________________________ |
Work Experience
Job Title, Company, Location
Start Date – End Date
- Responsibility or achievement
- Responsibility or achievement
Education
Degree, Major, Institution, Year
Skills
Skill 1, Skill 2, Skill 3
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Canva resume for online applications? Yes, but only if you use a simple, single-column template and export as .docx. Otherwise, the ATS may not read it correctly.
What is the best file format for ATS? .docx (Word) is the safest. PDF can work if it is text-based, but .docx is more consistently parsed.
How do I know if my Canva resume is ATS-friendly? Use a free ATS checker like Jobscan or Resume Worded. Paste your resume text and see if it extracts your details correctly.
Can I use a two-column Canva template if I make it a PDF? No. Two-column layouts confuse ATS regardless of file format. The parser reads left-to-right, so it will mix up the columns.
Should I include a photo on my Canva resume? No. Most ATS will ignore or reject photos, and they can cause parsing errors. Save the photo for LinkedIn.
What if I want a creative resume for a design job? Use a plain resume for online applications and a creative one for portfolios or in-person interviews. Many design professionals do this.