To unlock a Canva page in the desktop editor, hover over its thumbnail, open the options menu, and select Unlock page. You need editing access to the design. These page menu steps exclude Canva Docs.
The short version
- Page menu: Hover over the page thumbnail, open its options menu, and select Unlock page.
- Keyboard shortcut: Select the page and press Alt + Shift + L on Windows or Option + Shift + L on Mac until it is unlocked.
- Locked elements: Unlock the page first, then remove individual element locks through their floating toolbars.
- Editing access: If a shared design gives you viewing or commenting permission, ask the owner for Can edit access.
| What needs fixing | Action | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Locked page | Select Unlock page from the thumbnail menu | Desktop editor with edit access, excluding Docs |
| Position-locked page | Select Lock page, then Unlock page | Desktop Page options shows Lock page |
| Page lock using keys | Press Alt + Shift + L on Windows or Option + Shift + L on Mac until unlocked | Page selected with edit access |
| Individual element lock | Select Lock, then Unlock, or toggle the lock icon | Unlock the page first |
| Teacher-applied lock | Ask your teacher to change the protected content | Canva Education |
| Locked presentation elements | Open Layouts and select Unlock all elements if prompted | Presentation template with a graphic, element, or text item |
| Viewing or commenting mode | Select Editing in the header mode switcher | Full editor with editing permission |
| Viewing or commenting permission | Ask the owner to grant Can edit access | Shared design |
| Need a separate editable version | Select File > Make a copy | Desktop design that allows copying |
| Wrong team selected | Select your profile icon, then the team that received access | Design shared with a different team |
| External design restriction | Ask for direct sharing within your team or administrator access | Managed account restricting external designs |
| Simultaneous editor limit reached | Try again later or ask the owner to share a copy | Shared design with all editor slots occupied |
| Team-only custom font blocks access | Ask for team access or a version using a standard Canva font | Recipient outside the originating team |
| Brand Template lock | Ask an administrator or brand designer to adjust the locks and republish | Protected Brand Template |
Unlock the page from its thumbnail
In the desktop editor, hover over the thumbnail of the page you want to change. Open that thumbnail’s options menu and select Unlock page. Use this route when you have editing access and the page itself is locked.
A position-locked page can show Lock page in Page options instead. In that case, select Lock page, then select Unlock page when it becomes available. This sequence cycles the page through its lock states.
Use the keyboard shortcut
Select the page in the Windows or Mac editor. On Windows, press Alt + Shift + L; on Mac, press Option + Shift + L. Repeat the shortcut until the page is unlocked.
You need editing permission for the shortcut too. If you only have viewing or commenting access to a shared design, ask the owner to grant editing permission before using it.
Remove locks from individual elements
For individually locked elements, unlock the page first, then select the element you want to change. In its floating toolbar, select Lock, then Unlock. Repeat these steps for any other individually locked elements you need to edit.
If the floating toolbar shows only a lock icon, toggle it until the element is unlocked. Use this icon in place of the Lock and Unlock labels.
Unlock presentation elements through Layouts
For a presentation template containing at least one graphic, element, or text item, open the presentation and select its page thumbnail or background. Select Edit on the floating toolbar. In the Edit Page panel, go to Layouts, then select See all.
If prompted, select Unlock all elements. This removes element locks but does not override editing permissions. Selecting a suggested layout afterward rearranges and resizes the content, so choose one only if you also want that layout change.
Switch to Editing mode
When you have editing permission but the full editor is in Viewing or Commenting mode, open the header mode switcher. Select Editing to change modes. This applies across design types, including Canva Docs.
Changing modes and removing locks are separate actions. For a design with page or element locks, use the relevant unlocking steps after switching to Editing.
Get permission to edit the shared design
If your permission is Can view or Can comment, ask the owner to grant editing access. Ask them to open the design, select Share, enter your name or email, and choose Can edit.
Editing permission does not remove page or element locks. Once you have access, unlock the page and any individually locked elements you need to change.
Make a separate editable copy
On desktop, open a shared design that allows copying, then select File > Make a copy. Work in the resulting copy. This option includes eligible shared designs with viewing-only access.
Your changes affect the copy. If you need to change the shared original instead, ask the owner for Can edit access.
Fix team and shared design restrictions
If the design was shared with a team while you are using another team or your personal account, switch to the team that received access. Select your profile icon from the homepage or the More tab, then select the appropriate team name. Canva opens that team’s homepage.
If your managed account restricts designs from outside the team, ask the sender to share the design directly with you in your team. Alternatively, ask your administrator to allow your role or group to access external designs.
If the shared design has reached its simultaneous editor limit, try again later. You can also ask the owner to share a copy.
If a custom font blocks access because you are outside the originating team, ask the owner to add you to that team or share a copy using a standard Canva font. Replacing the custom font in the original changes that design to a standard Canva font. If changing the original suits your task, ask the owner to temporarily replace its custom font with a standard Canva font.
Get protected template content changed
In Canva Education, you cannot remove teacher-applied locks as a student, even when you have editing permission. Contact your teacher to request changes to the protected content.
For Brand Templates, only administrators and brand designers can modify the template’s locks. Ask someone with either role to edit the existing template, adjust its locks, and republish it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you switch Canva to Editing mode on mobile?
In the full mobile editor, tap the header’s more icon to access the mode switcher, then select Editing. You must already have editing permission for the design.
Why is the mode switcher missing from the Canva homepage editor?
The homepage’s embedded editor does not have the mode switcher. Use the full editor to switch between Viewing, Commenting, and Editing.
Can you make a copy without opening the design?
Yes, on the desktop homepage, select Projects and hover over a design that allows copying. Select More > Make a copy, then work in the resulting copy.
How many people can edit a shared Canva design at once?
Canva allows up to 200 simultaneous editors in a shared design. If you cannot edit because that limit has been reached, try again later or ask the owner to share a copy.
