Oct. 8, 2025

Data is your friend!

This week is all about data storytelling, which combines numbers, visuals, and narrative to turn complex information into clear, meaningful stories.

💥 Using Canva, journalists can quickly create compelling data visualizations — think charts, maps, and infographics — from raw data without additional software or coding skills.

Over the next seven days, we’ll explore Canva’s AI-powered tools so that you can efficiently mine your data for key insights and turn datasets into exciting graphics. We’ll also show you where to find existing design templates within Canva that can be used for your breaking news coverage.

It all starts with Canva Sheets — a visual-first spreadsheet software included in Canva's free Visual Suite.

Create your own Canva Sheet

✅ Open Canva and find the Canva Sheets icon.

✅ Start your spreadsheet from scratch by entering your data into the design: 

✅ OR choose from the library of ready-made spreadsheet templates by selecting Design from the left toolbar. (ICYMI: You can narrow your template search with these tips.) 

💡 Canva saves your files automatically, which will appear on the homepage under Recent designs at the bottom of the search bar. You can also quickly search for saved files by selecting Your designs and typing the file name in the search bar.

✚ Already have data collected somewhere else? You can import from an external source. Here’s how:

• Open a Canva Sheets design.
• From the top toolbar, click “Actions,” then find Import data:

✅ Choose a data source:



• Select Upload to import a .CSV or .XLSX file from your device.
• Select a third party app like Google Sheets or HubSpot. (You’ll need to sign in and grant Canva permission to access your data if you choose this option.)

✅ You will find your upload under the Designs tab in the left toolbar:  

✅ Click on the file and select Replace current page:

Note: Selecting Add as a new page will create two tabs on your spreadsheet just like in Excel or Google Sheets. You’ll find these at the bottom:  

🔍 See how this works in practice with a short demo:

💡 Pro tip: You can make your spreadsheets public or private by clicking on the Share button to change the access permissions. Click the Access level dropdown to make a design public, share with a Canva Team, or keep it private.

Exercise

📝 Create a new Canva Sheet:

• Download this sample dataset to your device as a .CSV or .XLSX file.
• Open a new Canva Sheet and import the file.
• Rename your spreadsheet “Canva Sheet Exercise 1.” (You will need to access this design for tomorrow’s exercise, which will cover how to quickly transform spreadsheet data into a chart.)

ICYMI

We spent the first week of Camp Canva exploring how journalists can deploy collaborative brainstorming and planning tools like Whiteboards and Sheets in their work. We also designed and published a Website from scratch, in minutes, using Canva Websites.

Revisit those lessons and tips:

• Oct. 1, 2025: Camp Canva starts today. Meet Whiteboards.
• Oct. 2, 2025: Collaboration drives deeper storytelling
• Oct. 3, 2025: Narrow your searches with these tips
• Oct. 4, 2025: Build & publish a custom site in minutes
• Oct. 5, 2025: Today’s exercise: Build your portfolio website
• Oct. 6, 2025: Content planning with Canva Sheets
• Oct. 7, 2025: Integrate apps for a seamless workflow

Workshop: Design Fundamentals

Join us from 11 a.m. to noon ET on Friday, Oct. 10, for a hands-on virtual workshop covering design fundamentals.

This free training is part of Camp Canva and will cover:



• the fundamentals of solid graphic design;
• tips for conceptualizing and producing graphics quickly;
• hands-on, step-by-step examples; and
• a look at specific Canva tools that can help maximize your work’s impact.

Camp Canva is a partnership between the National Press Club Journalism Institute and Canva to offer 31 days of free training for journalists today and continuing through the month of October. Camp Canva is a self-paced, opt-in e-mail learning series that offers quick tips and tricks for media professionals to supercharge storytelling and audience reach. Learn more about Canva's World Tour.

For any questions about this free program, contact Institute staff.