There are several ways to bring Excel Charts into Canva but which way is the right way? In this post I’ll walk you through the options and help you decide the best way for you.

So I had this question from an attendee of one of my data design webinars. “How do I bring Excel charts into Canva with a transparent background? I’ve tried copy and pasting but I end up with a white background.”

This is a pretty common problem, and it’s not just bringing charts into Canva but into other tools too. Luckily there is also a pretty common solution.

Why a simple Copy and Paste gives you an image with a white background.

So the easiest way to bring a chart from Excel into another program like Canva is to use Copy/Paste. Just select the chart and COPY (CTRL C), then open a Canva design and PASTE (CTRL V).

This will work, but two things will likely happen.

1. You’ll have a white box behind the chart (meaning you won’t be able to see the background through your chart.
2. You’ll probably also have a border around the box.

The first thing you should know though is that this isn’t really a Canva problem. It’s an Excel problem.

When you copy from Excel and paste into Canva, you’ll find a new image file in your Uploads tab. You’ll also notice that the image is a PNG, which is good. Because a PNG “can” give you a transparent background (a JPG will not).

Giving Your Excel Chart a Transparent Background

Let’s go back to our chart in Excel.

We’ll select the chart and go into the format tab. Then select Shape Fill and then “No Fill.”

This will give us the transparent background. You can quickly see why this isn’t Excel’s default, because a transparent chart in front of the spreadsheet blends in a little too much with the sheet.

Another step you should take while you are here is to make the shape outline transparent as well by clicking on “No Outline.” Now this default setting I don’t get, it’s just annoying.

Now the Simple Copy Paste Works

Now that we’ve made the chart background go away it’s time to copy and paste again. The difference is that this time, the chart will have a transparent background and can be better placed within the Canva design.

Did you know that Canva has a backgrounds menu? If you don’t see it on the left panel menu click on the “More” button at the bottom. You’ll find bunches of abstracts, textures, gradients, and photos ready to become backgrounds.

Like this super cool Pineapple background.

Bonus: Saving your Excel Chart as an SVG

Okay, want to take the cool factor one step further?

Instead of copy and paste let’s save the chart as a picture in Excel.

And not just any picture, let’s set the type to Scalable Vector Graphics.

Then we’ll drop the newly created SVG chart into Canva.

In the uploads tab you won’t notice much of a difference between the transparent PNG and the SVG. But something has definitely changed.

If you put the SVG in your Canva design, you’ll notice that you can actually change the colors!!! (I’ve tested this a bunch, and it has its limits. But for basic Excel charts you’ll be able to adjust most if not all of the colors).

You can even use the eyedropper tool in the colors panel (the first one with the plus sign gives you the option). Now I can match my chart to the awesome pineapple background.

Inside DiY Data Design, evaluators and researchers like you come together to meet and support one another, discover new tech, learn new tricks, get answers to burning questions, participate in data design challenges, and more.

Could you become a data design champion?

Behind every well designed report there is a data design champion.

They only sometimes recognize their own talent. And even then, they tend to give far more credit to technology than it deserves. But the reality is, without that person behind the scenes, the cool looking infographic would never exist. Neither would that sleek visual presentation or easy to read slidedoc.

The technology used to create cool things doesn’t work without a person. And if nobody on your team takes the initiative, the status quo remains.

And that’s the secret. It’s not just talent or skill, but initiative. Anyone with the desire to learn could develop the skills to become a data design champion. There are tons of tricks and tools that a person can use to create better infographics and reports.

You could become THE person who makes better design happen in your organization or with your clients. It just involves commitment to building your own skill set, trying new things, and lots of practice.

Introducing DiY Data Design.

DiY Data Design is a private learning community designed to support aspiring data design champions. The people who join are motivated to go beyond the status quo, committed to self-discovery, willing to do the work, and eager to create.

All data design journeys are unique, but they can all benefit from things like:

• Direct support from a data design mentor.
• Introductions to new technology.
• Cutting edge education.
• Networking with data design peers.
• Access to tutorials and templates.

Delivered from within a safe space, free from Cre-Haters and serial Nit Pickers.

What I mean by safe space.

A privacy first attitude. Your work will never be shared outside of the group without your permission. I often stop recording a coaching session so that participants can feel free to privately share their work.

There are no stupid questions. Ask any question without fear of judgment or rejection. We all start somewhere and it’s always okay to ask even the most basic of questions.

A welcoming community. This is a community that welcomes members from diverse backgrounds including race, ethnicity, gender, orientation, neurodiversity, and physical ableness. 

Participate as much or as little as you would like. Want to lurk in the background, take the included courses, watch replays, and not participate in discussions. Feel Free.  The format is open, participate when you have time, take breaks when you don’t.  There is no judgment for lack of participation.

Inside DiY Data Design

So what does being a part of a modern learning community actually look like?  I would say there are 6 fundamental components that make up DiY Data Design.

1. Weekly whiteboard coaching sessions with Chris.

We get together just about every Wednesday except for the occasional holiday or vacation.

Every session opens with either a tour of a specific piece of software, a lesson on a specific data design process, or a case study review of an actual modern report, infographic or dashboard. This part is always recorded.

Then we dive into a whiteboard coaching session and group discussion.  In the second half of sessions members are encouraged to share their work, processes, and experiences.

2. A coaching session recording archive.

I always believed that a successful workshop or course always left you with something.  A takeaway that you could apply to your own work. Every coaching session is designed to deliver at least one practical takeaway, if not a bunch.

As such, our recording archive is filled with valuable takeaways. We’ve already been operating as a community for 9 months, meeting weekly. And as a bonus, I’ve also included short courses and lessons from my original diy data design workshop.  This gives you hours and hours of content you’ll have access to the minute you register.

3. An online circle community hub.

In a lot of ways DiY Data Design is a learning community for people who don’t always have the time to be active in a community.  

We are built on a Circle community site. There you’ll find a space where you can learn about upcoming events, freely share your work, get feedback, and ask questions.  You can also build out your profile to introduce yourself and your learning goals to me and your fellow community members.  

You are not required to visit often, or ever, if an online community is not your style.  It’s a site that is there if and when you need it. I will also personally read every post that goes onto the site and will usually reply within the next day or two.

4. Self paced courses.

As a DiY Data Design member you will also gain access to a set of self-paced courses.  There are a few existing courses right now, with another handful slated for release this summer and fall.

Currently included:

• Lunch Break Sessions – Series 1 (diydatadesign exclusive)
• 1.2.3. Report! (soon to be unpublished and archived)
• DataViz for Anti-Racism (currently unpublished and archived)

Upcoming course release schedule:

• Effortless Infographics (Summer 2022)
• Canva Jumpstart (Summer 2022)
• Flourish Jumpstart (Summer 2022)
• Logic Models and Theory of Change (Fall 2022)

5. Data Design Template Collection

You will gain access to a growing collection of specially designed Canva and Flourish design templates. These designs are available to copy and use in your own work.

In the future this collection will also include PowerPoint infographic templates, Excel chart templates, and Data Design Worksheets.

6. Hands on support and coaching from Chris Lysy

As a consultant my minimum project size is in the thousands of dollars. Through this learning community model I get to offer direct hands-on support at a fraction of the cost. I love to teach and will go out of my way to support our community members.

Right now is the perfect time to join the community, here is why!

The summer registration period is only open through the end of this week (June 17, 2022).  It won’t open again until early September.

Here is why you should sign up today!

1. Prices are going up in the fall (considerably). This is the last quarter to lock in your membership at the original subscription rate.
2. Last chance to get all of the upcoming self-paced courses included in the subscription.  Starting in the fall only a subset of the upcoming DiY Data Design self-paced courses will be included with the subscription.
3. Last chance to get a free 30 day trial.  The trial period is going to drop from 30 to 7 days.

Feel like it’s a match?

Outstanding! Here is the current pricing information.

Just keep in mind that enrollment is only open through June 17, 2022.

• Monthly – $50
• Annual – $500 (two months free)

Right now you can use this link to apply a 15% off coupon.

15% Off Discount (15OFF)

Need a Scholarship?

Intended for students, non-profits, unemployed, BIPOC, developing countries, and anyone who would like to join the workshop but cannot afford full registration costs.

No application necessary, choose one if you need one, just use the following coupon codes:

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