How to Import Canva Email Template

Last reviewed: June 9, 2026

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On this page

Use this workflow to import a Canva HTML email export as a PAX email template.

When to use this workflow

Use this workflow when a designed email from Canva should become a reusable PAX email template.

Before you start

You need:

admin or executive access.
A Canva export downloaded as HTML and images.
A .zip file that contains email.html in the zip root.
An images/ folder in the zip for image assets referenced by the HTML.
A unique template code.

The server accepts zip uploads up to 10 MB.

Screen path

Dashboard > System Settings > Communications > Email Templates > Import from Canva

Steps

In Canva, open the email design.
Use Share, Download, then choose HTML and images.
Save the downloaded content as a .zip file if Canva does not already provide one.
Open System Settings.
In Communications, select Email Templates.
Select Import from Canva.
Choose the .zip file.
Confirm or edit Template Name.
Enter a unique Template Code.
Select Category.
Enter Subject Line if known.
Select Import Template.
After import, select the new template and preview it.

What happens behind the scenes

PAX validates that a zip file was provided and parses the Canva export.

The import looks for email.html in the root of the zip. It reads image files from the images/ folder, creates content IDs for the images, replaces image paths in the HTML with cid: references, wraps the HTML in an email-safe structure, and removes script tags and inline event handlers.

PAX checks that the template code is unique. If it is unique, PAX creates an active email template with the imported HTML and stores image attachment metadata for future email rendering.

Troubleshooting

Please select a .zip file

Likely cause: The selected file is not a zip file.

Safe fix: Export from Canva as HTML and images, then select the zip file.

Contact support if: A valid zip file is rejected.

Template code already exists

Likely cause: Another template already uses the same code.

Safe fix: Use a unique template code, such as a campaign or purpose-specific code.

Contact support if: You cannot find the existing template but PAX reports a duplicate.

Failed to parse zip file

Likely cause: The zip does not contain email.html in the root, the images folder is missing, or an image reference cannot be processed.

Safe fix: Re-export from Canva using HTML and images. Confirm email.html is at the root of the zip and images are inside images/.

Contact support if: The zip structure is correct but import still fails.