How to create a digital planner using Canva from scratch

What is a Digital Planner?

A digital planner is an electronic version of a traditional paper planner that you can use on devices like tablets, smartphones, or computers. Unlike physical planners, digital planners are interactive, allowing you to add notes, checklists, and clickable tabs for easy navigation. They often come in PDF or app-friendly formats, making them versatile for daily, weekly, and monthly planning.

Benefits of Using a Digital Planner

1. Eco-Friendly: Reduces paper waste by eliminating the need for printed planners.

2. Reusable: Unlike paper planners, digital planners can be used year after year. You can duplicate pages or entire templates without running out of space.

3. Customizable: You can change layouts, colors, fonts, and designs to suit your personal style. You can also add hyperlinks, stickers, and trackers for enhanced functionality.

4. Portable: Access your planner on multiple devices anytime, anywhere.

5. Interactive: Features like clickable tabs, checklists, and habit trackers make planning more efficient and engaging.

Why Canva is a Good Tool for Creating Digital Planners

Canva is a user-friendly design platform that allows you to create professional-looking digital planners even without advanced design skills. Its drag-and-drop interface, vast library of templates, fonts, icons, and graphics makes designing easy and fun.

Additionally, Canva supports exporting planners as PDFs with interactive elements, making it perfect for digital planning. Whether you’re designing for personal use or selling planners online, Canva provides all the tools you need to create stunning and functional digital planners.

Planning Your Digital Planner

Before diving into Canva, it’s important to plan your digital planner carefully. This ensures your planner is functional, visually appealing, and meets your needs or the needs of your audience.

1. Define the Purpose

Decide what your digital planner is primarily for. Different purposes require different layouts and features:

• Daily Planner: Focuses on hourly schedules, to-do lists, and quick notes for each day.

• Weekly Planner: Offers a broader view, helping track tasks, appointments, and priorities for the week.

• Monthly Planner: Ideal for long-term planning, deadlines, events, and goals over a month.

• Goal-Oriented Planner: Designed to track progress on personal, fitness, financial, or career goals.

• Student Planner: Includes class schedules, assignments, deadlines, and study trackers.

• Business Planner: Focuses on project management, meetings, deadlines, and team coordination.

Understanding the purpose will guide your layout, color scheme, and the types of pages to include.

2. Decide on the Format

Digital planners can be created in various formats depending on how you want to use them:

• PDF: Easy to share and widely compatible with apps like GoodNotes, Notability, or Adobe Acrobat.

• Interactive: Includes hyperlinks and clickable tabs, allowing users to navigate between months, weeks, or sections easily.

• Hybrid: Combines both printable and interactive features for maximum flexibility.

3. Choose a Size

Selecting the right size ensures your planner is visually balanced and fits the devices your audience will use:

• A4 (8.27” x 11.69”): Standard size for printing and digital use.

• Letter (8.5” x 11”): Common in the U.S.; works well for both digital and printable planners.

• iPad Screen Ratio (e.g., 8.5” x 11” or 2048×2732 px): Optimized for tablet use, perfect for interactive planners in note-taking apps.

Pro Tip: If your planner will be used mostly on tablets, designing with a 4:3 ratio ensures it fits neatly on the screen without zooming or scrolling.

Setting Up Canva

Once you’ve planned your digital planner, the next step is to set up Canva and prepare your design workspace. Canva makes it easy for beginners and pros alike to create beautiful digital planners.

1. Create a Canva Account

• Free Account: Offers access to thousands of templates, graphics, fonts, and basic features—perfect for beginners.

• Pro Account: Unlocks advanced features like premium templates, more fonts, brand kits, background remover, and the ability to export planners with transparent backgrounds.

• Tip: You can start with a free account and upgrade later if needed.

2. Start a Blank Template with Your Chosen Size

• Log in to Canva and click “Create a Design”.

• Select Custom Size and enter the dimensions you chose during the planning stage (e.g., A4: 8.27” x 11.69”, Letter: 8.5” x 11”, or tablet dimensions like 2048×2732 px).

• Starting with a blank template gives you full creative control to design each page exactly how you want.

3. Set Up a Consistent Brand Palette

Consistency is key to making your planner visually appealing.

• Colors: Pick 3–5 complementary colors for your headers, highlights, and decorative elements.

• Fonts: Choose 1–2 fonts that are readable and match your planner’s style (e.g., a clean sans-serif for text and a decorative font for headings).

• Icons & Graphics: Canva has a large library of free and Pro icons, stickers, and illustrations. Use them consistently to match your planner’s theme.

4. Create a Cover Page Design

The cover page is the first thing users see, so make it eye-catching:

• Add your planner title in a clear, bold font.

• Include decorative elements like patterns, illustrations, or shapes.

• Keep your brand colors and fonts consistent with the rest of your planner.

• Optional: Add your logo or a tagline if you’re creating the planner to sell.

Pro Tip: Save your cover page as a separate page so you can reuse it for multiple planner versions or color themes.

Designing the Layout

Designing your planner layout is the heart of the process. This is where your digital planner becomes functional, organized, and visually appealing.

1. Create a Master Page Template

A master template allows you to maintain consistency across your planner while saving time. Start by designing one template for each type of page you plan to include:

• Monthly Spreads:

  • Include a full-month calendar with space for notes, goals, or highlights.

  • Consider adding a small section for monthly goals or priorities.

• Weekly Spreads:

  • Layout each week with sections for days of the week, tasks, appointments, and priorities.

  • Add habit trackers or weekly reflections for added functionality.

• Daily Pages:

  • Include time slots or to-do lists for scheduling tasks.

  • Add space for notes, gratitude, or reminders.

• To-Do Lists:

  • Simple checklist layout with checkboxes.

  • Can be general or categorized (work, personal, school).

• Notes and Goal Trackers:

  • Create blank or lined note pages.

  • Add goal-setting templates with sections for steps, deadlines, and progress tracking.

Pro Tip: Once your master template is ready, duplicate it for each new page to maintain consistent layout and style.

2. Include Clickable Tabs or Links (Interactive PDFs)

Interactive planners allow users to navigate between sections with ease:

• Create tabs for months, weeks, or sections.

• Use Canva’s linking feature: select an element → click Link → enter page number or URL.

• Test your links before exporting to ensure seamless navigation.

3. Add Decorative Elements

Enhance your planner’s visual appeal while keeping it functional:

• Use illustrations, icons, and stickers from Canva’s library.

• Add subtle borders, banners, or shapes to highlight sections.

• Keep decorations consistent with your brand colors and fonts.

Pro Tip: Avoid overcrowding pages—white space improves readability and usability.

4. Tips for Maintaining Visual Consistency

• Stick to your brand colors and fonts across all pages.

• Align elements neatly using Canva’s grids and rulers.

• Use consistent icon styles and sizes for a cohesive look.

• Group repeated elements (like headers, checklists, or trackers) so they stay uniform when copying to other pages.

Adding Interactive Elements

One of the biggest advantages of a digital planner over a paper planner is interactivity. Adding interactive elements makes your planner easy to use and more engaging.

1. Hyperlink Tabs for Easy Navigation

Clickable tabs allow users to jump between sections, months, or pages without scrolling endlessly.

How to add hyperlinks in Canva:

1. Select the text, shape, or icon you want to use as a tab.

2. Click the Link button in the top menu.

3. Enter the page number within your planner (e.g., page 5 for March) or a URL if linking externally.

4. Test all links to ensure they go to the correct pages.

Pro Tip: Use consistent tab placement on every page for easy navigation (top, side, or bottom of the page).

2. Insert Checkboxes for Digital Interactivity

Checklists make your planner actionable and satisfying to use:

Options in Canva:

• Use Canva’s square or circle shapes to represent checkboxes. Users can mark them digitally in PDF apps like GoodNotes, Notability, or Adobe Acrobat.

• Duplicate the checkboxes for each task or list to maintain uniformity.

Pro Tip: For a more interactive experience, design checkboxes with Canva symbols or icons that are easy to tap on tablets.

3. Add Calendar Templates and Habit Trackers

These tools help users stay organized and motivated:

• Calendar Templates:

  • Use Canva’s pre-made calendar grids or design your own.

  • Include space for notes, goals, or special events.

• Habit Trackers:

  • Create grids or charts to track daily habits, water intake, workouts, or study sessions.

  • Use color-coding or checkmarks for a clear visual representation of progress.

Pro Tip: Keep these trackers simple and functional—overly complex designs can overwhelm users.

Final Touches

Once your digital planner is fully designed and interactive, it’s important to do a final review and properly export it to ensure a polished, user-friendly product.

1. Review Design and Test Navigation Links

Before exporting, double-check your planner:

• Go through each page to ensure layout consistency—headers, fonts, colors, and spacing should match across pages.

• Test all hyperlinks and tabs to make sure they navigate to the correct pages.

• Check interactive elements like checkboxes and trackers to ensure they are clickable and easy to use in digital note-taking apps.

• Make any adjustments for readability—avoid overcrowded pages and ensure text is legible on all devices.

Pro Tip: Preview your planner on the device you intend it to be used on (tablet, phone, or computer) to see how it looks and functions.

2. Export Options

Canva gives you multiple ways to export your planner depending on its intended use:

• PDF Standard (Shareable):

  • Smaller file size, ideal for digital use or sharing via email, apps, or online platforms.

  • Maintains clickable links and interactive elements.

• PDF Print (High Resolution):

  • Higher quality, suitable if users may print pages.

  • Maintains sharp images and design details.

  • Can be larger in file size, so consider compressing if sharing online.

Pro Tip: If selling your planner online, export both PDF Standard and PDF Print versions to give users flexible options.

With these final touches, your digital planner is ready for personal use or distribution. Proper review and export ensure it looks professional and functions seamlessly.

Tips for Selling or Sharing Your Planner

Once your digital planner is complete, you can either share it for free with friends or students, or sell it online as a product. Here are strategies to make it appealing and market-ready:

1. Create Multiple Cover Options

• Design a few alternative covers with different colors, fonts, or graphics.

• Variety helps attract different audiences and allows users to pick their favorite style.

• Keep your branding consistent across covers for a professional look.

2. Offer Color or Theme Variations

• Provide planners in multiple color schemes (pastel, bold, neutral) or themed designs (minimalist, floral, modern).

• This increases appeal and lets customers personalize their experience.

3. Create a Promotional Mockup Using Canva

• Showcase your planner in realistic settings using Canva’s mockup frames or device templates.

• Include images of monthly, weekly, or daily spreads.

• High-quality mockups help customers visualize the product and increase sales potential.

4. Platforms to Sell or Share

• Etsy: Ideal for creative digital products; easy to reach a global audience.

• Gumroad: Perfect for selling digital downloads directly to your audience.

• Personal Website: Offers complete control over branding, pricing, and email marketing.

• Free Sharing Options: Share via Google Drive, Notion, or social media for free distribution or promotions.

Pro Tip: Include a “How to Use” guide or video tutorial with your planner—this adds value and encourages positive reviews.

Conclusion

Creating a digital planner in Canva gives you endless possibilities to organize your life in a way that suits your unique needs. One of the best things about digital planners is customization—you can adjust layouts, colors, fonts, and sections to reflect your personal style or workflow.

Beyond aesthetics, digital planners are powerful tools for boosting productivity. They help you stay organized, track your goals, manage daily tasks, and monitor habits all in one place. With interactive features like clickable tabs, checklists, and habit trackers, planning becomes efficient, motivating, and enjoyable.

Whether you’re designing a planner for yourself, your students, or to sell online, the process of creating and using a digital planner can transform the way you manage time and achieve your goals.

Final Thought: Take the foundation you’ve built and experiment—try new layouts, add unique trackers, and make it truly yours. The more personalized your planner, the more effective and enjoyable it will be.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create a digital planner in Canva?

Creating a digital planner in Canva is a step-by-step process that combines planning, design, and functionality to produce an organized and visually appealing tool. The first step is to define the purpose of your planner.

You need to decide whether it will be daily, weekly, monthly, goal-oriented, student-focused, or tailored for business use. This will determine the layout, sections, and types of pages you include.

Once the purpose is clear, choose the size of your planner. Common sizes include A4, Letter, or tablet-friendly ratios like 8.5”x11” or iPad screen dimensions. The size affects both the appearance and usability of your planner on digital devices.

Next, sign in to Canva and start a blank design using your chosen dimensions. Canva’s drag-and-drop interface allows you to create custom layouts for each page type.

It is important to establish a consistent brand palette including colors, fonts, and icons to ensure your planner looks professional and cohesive. Start by designing a cover page that reflects the theme and style of your planner.

Then, create master templates for monthly spreads, weekly pages, daily layouts, to-do lists, notes, and goal trackers. These templates ensure consistency and save time when duplicating pages.

Once the basic layout is complete, add interactive elements. Hyperlink tabs can guide users through months or sections, while checkboxes allow for task tracking. Habit trackers and calendar templates enhance the functionality of your planner.

After designing, review each page to ensure clarity, functionality, and aesthetic consistency. Finally, export your planner as a PDF, choosing between PDF Standard for digital sharing or PDF Print for high-quality printing.

Testing the planner on the intended device before use ensures that all interactive features work as intended, creating a fully functional and user-friendly digital planner.

Can I sell a digital planner I made on Canva?

Yes, you can sell a digital planner created in Canva, but there are certain considerations to ensure it is legally and commercially viable. Canva allows users to create original designs using its platform, but it’s crucial that you use either Canva’s free elements or Pro assets with proper licensing.

You cannot directly sell Canva templates or designs that are solely based on Canva’s proprietary elements unless you have the commercial license for them. This means that the planner must include original content or combinations of elements that qualify for resale under Canva’s license agreements.

Once your planner is original and properly licensed, you can prepare it for sale by exporting it as an interactive PDF. This format is preferred because it preserves clickable links, tabs, checklists, and other digital features.

To make your product more appealing, consider offering multiple cover designs, color variations, or themed options to give buyers choices. Marketing your digital planner effectively is also important.

You can use online platforms such as Etsy, Gumroad, or your personal website to sell your product. High-quality promotional mockups can help potential buyers visualize the planner in use and increase your chances of making sales.

It’s also helpful to include a usage guide explaining how to use the interactive elements, which adds value and reduces user confusion. Although selling digital planners can be profitable, success depends on your design quality, marketing, and the uniqueness of your product compared to competitors.

Continuous updates or seasonal versions can also increase long-term sales. By creating planners that are visually appealing, highly functional, and well-promoted, you can build a sustainable digital product business using Canva.

How to make a digital planner step by step?

Making a digital planner step by step begins with planning and defining its purpose. Start by deciding if your planner is daily, weekly, monthly, or goal-focused.

Determine your target audience, such as students, professionals, or anyone looking to boost productivity. Once the purpose and audience are clear, select the size and format of your planner, such as A4, Letter, or tablet-optimized dimensions, and whether it will be interactive with hyperlinks and checkboxes.

Next, create a Canva account and start a blank design with your chosen dimensions. Design a cover page that reflects your theme and establishes the visual style. Set a consistent brand palette with specific fonts, colors, and icons.

Then, create master templates for different page types: monthly spreads, weekly layouts, daily schedules, to-do lists, notes, and goal trackers. Duplication of these templates ensures consistency across pages and saves time.

After the structure is complete, add interactive elements like clickable tabs, hyperlinks, checkboxes, calendar grids, and habit trackers to enhance usability. Incorporate decorative elements such as icons, shapes, or patterns to improve aesthetics without overwhelming the user.

Review the entire planner to ensure links work, layouts are readable, and design elements are consistent. Finally, export your planner as a PDF Standard or PDF Print based on intended use.

Testing the planner on a tablet, phone, or computer ensures functionality before sharing or selling. Following these steps ensures a polished, professional, and user-friendly digital planner.

How to design a planner from scratch?

Designing a planner from scratch involves both strategic planning and creative design. Begin by defining the planner’s purpose and audience. Consider what pages you will include, such as monthly calendars, weekly spreads, daily schedules, habit trackers, to-do lists, and goal-setting sections.

Establishing a clear purpose ensures that each page serves a functional role. Decide on the planner size early, as this affects readability, device compatibility, and design layout. Popular sizes include A4, Letter, and tablet-friendly dimensions.

Next, select a design platform, such as Canva, which provides an intuitive interface and access to fonts, shapes, and illustrations. Start with a blank canvas and develop a cover page that reflects your theme and brand.

Then, create a master template for each page type to maintain consistency. Determine a color scheme, font pairing, and style for icons or decorative elements.

After this, layout the pages with clearly defined sections for tasks, notes, and schedules. Adding interactive features, such as clickable tabs, checkboxes, and links, enhances functionality for digital users.

Consistency is crucial when designing from scratch. Align all text and elements, use repeated headers, and maintain uniform margins. Include aesthetic elements like icons, banners, or subtle backgrounds to improve visual appeal without cluttering the page.

Finally, review the entire planner for readability, interactive functionality, and visual balance. Export the planner in a suitable format such as PDF Standard for digital use or PDF Print for high-resolution printing. Designing from scratch allows full creative freedom and ensures a planner tailored to your specific needs or audience.

Where can I make my own digital planner?

You can make your own digital planner on several platforms that support graphic design and interactive PDF creation. The most popular and beginner-friendly option is Canva, which provides a drag-and-drop interface, pre-made templates, a vast library of icons, fonts, and illustrations, and the ability to create custom dimensions. Canva also allows the creation of hyperlinks and interactive elements, making it ideal for digital planners.

Other platforms include Adobe Illustrator or InDesign, which offer professional design tools for more advanced users. These platforms are excellent for creating complex layouts but may have a steeper learning curve.

For tablet users, apps like GoodNotes or Notability allow you to build planners using built-in tools and templates, though they are more focused on direct note-taking and less on full-page design.

Free online tools like Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Keynote can also be used to design planners by creating slides as pages and exporting them as PDFs.

For those looking to sell planners, platforms such as Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, or even Figma provide the ability to create high-quality planners ready for digital distribution. Choosing the right platform depends on your design experience, desired level of interactivity, and the device compatibility you want for your planner.

How to use Canva to create a digital portfolio?

Creating a digital portfolio in Canva is an effective way to showcase your work professionally and visually. The first step is to define the purpose of your portfolio. Consider whether it will highlight creative work, academic projects, professional achievements, or a combination of these.

Knowing your target audience will help you decide which projects to include, the order of presentation, and the overall design style. Choose a size for your portfolio, such as A4, Letter, or a screen-optimized ratio if it will primarily be viewed digitally.

Once the planning phase is complete, create a Canva account and start a blank design. Begin with a cover page that clearly communicates your name, profession, or area of expertise. Include a simple, professional design with brand colors and fonts that reflect your personal style.

Next, create individual pages for each project or work sample. Each page should include a clear title, a description of the project, the tools or methods used, and relevant images or graphics. Maintain a consistent layout across all pages to ensure the portfolio looks polished and organized.

Canva also allows you to add interactive elements to your portfolio, such as hyperlinks to external websites, embedded videos, or clickable project links. This adds depth to your portfolio and allows viewers to explore your work in more detail.

Review all pages for visual consistency, readability, and professionalism. Finally, export your portfolio as a PDF for easy sharing, ensuring that any interactive elements remain functional. A well-designed Canva portfolio not only highlights your work but also demonstrates your design skills, creativity, and attention to detail.

Which app is best for digital planners?

The best app for digital planners depends on the type of interaction and device compatibility you want. For tablets and stylus use, GoodNotes and Notability are popular choices because they allow for handwritten notes, digital stickers, and PDF annotation.

These apps are ideal for users who prefer a tactile, handwriting-like experience while retaining all the digital planner’s organizational benefits.

For a more universal approach that works across devices, apps like Adobe Acrobat Reader and Xodo allow users to interact with PDFs, check off tasks, and navigate through hyperlinks.

These apps are suitable for planners that include interactive tabs, checklists, and embedded links. For individuals seeking a design-first experience with cloud access, Canva or Figma can also serve as planner apps, as they allow you to create and update planners directly in the cloud with collaboration options.

Ultimately, the best app balances usability, functionality, and compatibility with your device. For iPads, stylus-friendly apps are often preferred, while for desktop or mobile users, PDF readers with hyperlink support are sufficient. Considering how users will interact with your planner is essential when deciding which app to recommend or design for.

What is the best format for a digital planner?

The best format for a digital planner is typically PDF, particularly for planners intended to be used across multiple devices. PDFs preserve the design layout, fonts, and interactive elements, ensuring the planner looks and functions the same on tablets, computers, or smartphones.

Interactive PDFs allow users to navigate easily between sections using hyperlinks, check off tasks using digital checkboxes, and access embedded links or resources.

For printing purposes, a high-resolution PDF Print format ensures that the planner maintains clarity and sharpness, making it suitable for users who might want a physical copy.

Some designers may also provide their planners in PNG or JPEG formats for specific pages or cover images, but these formats lack interactivity and are less versatile.

Choosing the right format depends on the intended use: if the planner is purely digital, a PDF with interactive elements is optimal, whereas planners meant for hybrid use should include both standard and print-ready PDFs.

What are the disadvantages of digital planners?

While digital planners offer flexibility and functionality, they do have some disadvantages. One significant limitation is device dependency. Digital planners require a compatible tablet, smartphone, or computer, which can be a barrier for users without access to these devices.

Additionally, interactive features such as checkboxes, hyperlinks, or embedded links may not work properly on all PDF readers or apps, which can frustrate users who expect seamless navigation.

Another drawback is screen fatigue. Spending extended periods on digital devices can strain the eyes, which may reduce the appeal of digital planners for users accustomed to physical notebooks.

Customization can also be a double-edged sword; while personalization is a benefit, it may require learning curves for some users, particularly those unfamiliar with apps like GoodNotes, Notability, or PDF annotation tools.

Furthermore, unlike paper planners, digital planners can be susceptible to technical issues, such as file corruption, accidental deletion, or device malfunctions. Backup solutions can mitigate this, but it adds an extra step for users.

Lastly, some people simply prefer the tactile experience of writing with pen and paper, which digital planners cannot fully replicate, potentially limiting their appeal to traditional planners.

Is selling digital planners profitable?

Selling digital planners can be highly profitable if approached strategically. One advantage of digital products is the low production cost; once a planner is designed, it can be duplicated infinitely without additional material costs.

Profitability depends largely on the planner’s design quality, uniqueness, and the market demand. Niche targeting, such as planners for students, professionals, or fitness enthusiasts, can increase appeal and reduce competition.

Platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, and personal websites provide accessible marketplaces for digital products. Offering multiple versions, color themes, or cover options can increase sales potential, as buyers feel they have a more personalized product.

Promotional strategies, including social media marketing, email lists, and mockup visuals, are essential to attract customers and highlight the planner’s functionality.

However, success is not automatic; the market for digital planners is competitive, and profitability requires consistent marketing, high-quality design, and positive customer reviews. Bundling planners with additional resources like guides, stickers, or templates can increase perceived value and revenue.

With careful planning, appealing design, and effective marketing, selling digital planners can become a sustainable and profitable online business.

What program do people use to make planners?

People use a variety of programs to make planners, depending on their design experience, desired features, and target format. Canva is one of the most popular tools due to its beginner-friendly drag-and-drop interface, a vast library of fonts, icons, templates, and the ability to create interactive PDFs.

Canva allows users to design covers, layouts, checklists, and habit trackers with ease, making it ideal for both personal planners and planners intended for sale.

For more advanced users, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator are preferred because they provide precise control over layouts, typography, and graphics.

These programs are particularly useful for planners that require complex grids, professional-quality visuals, or print-ready files. Adobe InDesign is widely used for multi-page document design, while Illustrator is ideal for custom graphics, icons, and illustrations that may be used throughout the planner.

Other options include Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Keynote, which are accessible for beginners and allow users to create simple planner pages as slides that can be exported to PDF.

For tablet-focused digital planners, apps like GoodNotes, Notability, and Notion allow users to create and annotate planners directly on the device, integrating handwriting and interactive elements.

Ultimately, the program choice depends on the creator’s skill level, the intended use of the planner (digital, printable, or hybrid), and whether interactivity is required. Beginners benefit most from Canva, while professional designers may prefer Adobe tools for greater creative control.

Are digital planners better than paper?

Digital planners offer several advantages over paper planners, though “better” depends on individual preferences and needs. One of the main benefits is portability: digital planners can be accessed on multiple devices such as tablets, smartphones, and laptops, meaning you can carry an entire year’s planner without the physical bulk.

Digital planners are also eco-friendly, reducing paper usage and waste. They are reusable, as pages can be duplicated or modified for multiple years without the need to buy new planners annually.

Interactivity is another major advantage. Features like clickable tabs, checklists, habit trackers, and hyperlinks make navigation efficient and enhance functionality.

Many apps also allow users to annotate, highlight, or draw directly on pages, providing flexibility that paper planners cannot match. Digital planners can also integrate with calendars, reminders, and cloud storage, making organization more seamless.

However, paper planners have benefits that digital planners cannot fully replicate. Many people find handwriting improves memory retention and focus, and the tactile experience of writing on paper can be more satisfying. Paper planners do not rely on batteries, apps, or device compatibility, reducing technical risks.

In summary, digital planners are generally better for those seeking flexibility, interactivity, and long-term usability, while paper planners may be preferred by those who value simplicity, tactile engagement, and traditional planning methods.

What is the best portfolio maker for beginners?

For beginners, Canva is widely considered the best portfolio maker due to its simplicity, ease of use, and access to pre-made templates. Canva allows users to create visually appealing portfolios without prior graphic design experience.

You can customize layouts, colors, fonts, and add images or videos. Interactive elements such as hyperlinks make it possible to link to projects or external websites, enhancing the digital experience.

Other beginner-friendly options include Adobe Express (formerly Spark), which offers guided templates and user-friendly design tools, and Crello (VistaCreate), which provides a similar drag-and-drop interface with free templates. These platforms are cloud-based, so portfolios can be accessed and shared online easily.

For students or professionals seeking simplicity, Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint also work well. They allow easy customization, slide duplication, and export as PDFs for sharing. While not as visually rich as Canva, they are accessible and familiar to many users.

Ultimately, the best portfolio maker for beginners balances ease of use, customization options, and professional-looking results. Canva is often the top choice because it meets all three criteria effectively.

Can I sell digital designs I make on Canva?

Yes, you can sell digital designs made in Canva, but there are important licensing rules to follow. Canva allows users to create original designs using its elements, but only those designs that comply with Canva’s One-Time Use or Extended License can be sold commercially.

This means you cannot directly sell Canva templates or elements as standalone products unless you have the appropriate commercial license. Designs must incorporate your own creativity or combine Canva elements in a unique way that transforms them into a new product.

Once your designs comply with licensing, you can sell them as PDFs, digital downloads, or printed products. Popular platforms for selling include Etsy, Gumroad, Creative Market, and personal websites.

It is advisable to provide variations, multiple color themes, or mockups to increase appeal. Marketing and clear presentation, such as demonstrating interactive features for digital planners, are key to generating sales.

Always double-check Canva’s licensing rules before selling to ensure your digital products comply with their commercial terms. Following these rules allows you to legally monetize your creations while maintaining originality.

Is Canva better than WordPress?

Comparing Canva and WordPress depends on your goal, as the platforms serve different purposes. Canva is primarily a design tool for creating graphics, presentations, social media posts, digital planners, and portfolios.

Its strength lies in visual design and ease of use, especially for users without coding or web development experience. Canva is ideal for producing visual content quickly with professional results.

WordPress, on the other hand, is a website creation and content management system (CMS). It allows users to build blogs, e-commerce sites, and portfolio websites with advanced functionality. WordPress provides more control over website structure, SEO, and interactivity, but requires technical knowledge or the use of themes and plugins.

In short, Canva is better for creating digital designs and content that can be shared or sold, while WordPress is better for hosting websites, blogs, or e-commerce stores. The two platforms can complement each other, as Canva designs can be used within WordPress websites for visuals, downloadable products, or portfolios.

Can I make my own digital planner?

Yes, you can make your own digital planner, and the process is accessible to both beginners and advanced users. The first step is to determine the purpose and audience of your planner, whether for personal use, student planning, business organization, or goal tracking.

Once the purpose is clear, decide on the planner’s format and size, such as A4, Letter, or tablet-optimized dimensions, and whether it will be interactive with hyperlinks, checklists, or embedded trackers.

The next step is to select a design platform. Canva is one of the easiest tools for beginners because it provides customizable templates, fonts, icons, and design elements. After choosing the platform, start with a blank design or modify a template.

Design a cover page that reflects the planner’s theme and brand style. Create master templates for monthly, weekly, and daily spreads, as well as additional pages like to-do lists, notes, and habit trackers.

Adding interactive elements such as clickable tabs and checkboxes enhances usability for digital devices. After completing the design, review it for visual consistency, readability, and functionality.

Export your planner as a PDF Standard for digital use or PDF Print for high-resolution versions. With creativity, planning, and attention to detail, anyone can make a functional and aesthetically appealing digital planner tailored to their specific needs or target audience.

What planner does Elon Musk use?

Elon Musk, CEO of multiple companies, is known for using time-blocking and structured planning methods rather than relying on a specific branded planner. He reportedly schedules his day in five-minute blocks, carefully allocating time for meetings, work, and personal activities.

While he does not publicly endorse a particular paper or digital planner, his approach emphasizes extreme organization, precision, and time management efficiency.

The key takeaway from Musk’s method is not the tool itself, but the practice of planning and prioritizing each segment of the day. Whether using a digital planner, calendar app, or traditional notebook, following a structured time-blocking system allows for maximum productivity and focus. Users can replicate this method in any planner by creating hourly schedules and breaking down tasks into highly specific segments.

Is A5 or A6 planner bigger?

An A5 planner is bigger than an A6 planner. A5 dimensions are approximately 5.8 inches by 8.3 inches (148 x 210 mm), making it a convenient medium-sized planner for daily or weekly layouts.

A6 planners are smaller, measuring around 4.1 inches by 5.8 inches (105 x 148 mm), and are more compact, often used for portability or quick note-taking.

The choice between A5 and A6 depends on the user’s needs. A5 offers more writing space, which is suitable for detailed daily planning, to-do lists, or goal tracking.

A6 is easier to carry in bags or pockets, making it ideal for users who prefer compact planners and quick note-taking. In digital terms, the same distinction applies when designing planners for tablets or screens—larger ratios provide more content space, while smaller ratios are optimized for minimalism and portability.

Can you make $10,000 a month on Etsy?

Yes, it is possible to make $10,000 a month on Etsy, but it requires careful strategy, high-quality products, and consistent effort. Successful Etsy sellers often focus on a niche market, such as digital planners, printable art, or personalized products, and provide unique designs that stand out from competitors.

Marketing strategies, such as social media promotion, SEO optimization, email lists, and attractive product mockups, are essential for driving traffic to your listings.

Pricing strategy also plays a critical role. Sellers often combine multiple product offerings, bundles, or upsells to increase the average transaction value. High-volume sales can be achieved by maintaining quality, building a strong brand, and regularly updating listings to meet customer demand.

While $10,000 per month is ambitious and may take time to reach, many sellers achieve this milestone through persistence, strategic product design, and effective online marketing.

Can you make $100 a day online from home?

Yes, making $100 a day online from home is achievable through a variety of methods, though it requires effort, skill, and consistency. Common approaches include freelancing in writing, graphic design, web development, or virtual assistance, where hourly or project-based work can generate consistent income.

Selling digital products such as planners, templates, or courses is another option, as digital products can be sold repeatedly without additional production costs.

Other avenues include affiliate marketing, creating content on platforms like YouTube or blogs, participating in online surveys, or using e-commerce platforms like Etsy, Amazon, or Shopify.

Success depends on identifying a profitable niche, understanding your target audience, and providing high-quality products or services. While initial earnings may be modest, consistent effort, marketing, and skill development can lead to $100 per day or more over time.