Canva has integrated Google Sheets into its website, allowing users to easily transform data into eye-catching data visualisations.
Digital journalists who have mastered creating infographics on Canva, will be happy to learn that the new Google Sheets integration makes this process even easier. Data stored on Sheets can be transferred into any Canva design before being transformed into charts.
Previously, journalists had to copy and paste data from Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel into the ‘Charts’ tab.
The graphic design company announced the new feature on October 31 through its Medium blog. It wrote: “Use them to nail your next presentation, sales pitch, or report. Easily connect your Google Sheets to Canva and watch your data spring into action.”
How can I use the Google Sheets integration in Canva?
The integration is available under the ‘Charts’ tab of all design types, from Twitter posts to videos, helping journalists transform an emerging data story into an easy-to-read social media post.
Any changes to the original data in Google Sheets can be quickly seen on the data visualisation by clicking update. This helps journalists keep their visualisations up to date.
The update is available on both the paid and free versions of the graphic design platform. It also requires a login for Google and Canva. Users must allow Canva to access data on their Google account.
Similar features are available on data visualisation tools Tableau and Datawrapper and these tools are preferred for professional data journalism projects.
Olivia is a digital journalist studying Interactive Journalism at City, University of London. Interested in audience strategy, arts and culture and health.