Zapier Canvas quick start guide

Canvas is a tool that helps you visualize and organize full business processes. You can structure both manual and automated steps, and include Zaps, tables and interfaces.

To get started, visit https://zapier.com/canvas and request access. You'll receive an email when you get access to Canvas.

 

Start using Canvas

From the Canvas dashboard:

1. Click + Create.
2. The first step will be displayed on the screen. Click the step to open the Step details sidebar.

 

Create steps

Each step corresponds to a part of your process that requires some action–from a person, team, or a Zap. There are two types of steps: default steps and automated steps.

 

Default steps

Use a Default step for actions that depend on a person or team to be completed. 

• Title: a required field that shows what the action of the step is.
• Actor: notes who owns the action, such as a team or a person.
• App: select the app where the action happens.

 

Any changes you make are automatically saved.

 

Automated step

The Automated step allows you to add an existing Zap to your canvas. Once you add a Zap, you can see all the apps and steps it contains.

To add a Zap, type the name of your Zap in the Zap field. Any changes you make are automatically saved.

 

Add more steps

Once you've created your first step, hover over the step box to see the plus icon on the right side of the step. Click the plus icon to:

• Add a new step: Create the next step in your process.
• Split path: Create two different steps to represent different scenarios, depending on the contents or results of the previous step.

 

Drag and drop new steps

You can also add new steps using the icons at the bottom of the screen. Click and drag an action to the spot of the next step. 

• - Add a default step
• - Add a Zap step
• - Add a Tables step
• - Add an Interfaces step

 

Change the name

To change the name and add a description for your canvas:

1. On the top right corner of the screen, click Options.
2. In the dialog box, type a new name in the Name field.
3. Add a description of the process in the Description field.
4. Click Save changes.

 

Zoom 

You can zoom in and out of any part of your canvas. You can use the zoom controls at the top left of the screen to zoom in and out and to fit the process to the page, or use the keyboard shortcuts:

 

• Zoom out: 
  • Mac: ⌘ Cmd -
  • Windows: Ctrl -
• Zoom in: 
  • Mac: ⌘ Cmd +
  • Windows: Ctrl +
• Fit to page:
  • Mac: ⌥ Option 1
  • Windows: Alt 1

You can see the full list of keyboard shortcuts by clicking on the Help icon on the top right of your canvas screen.

 

Recommendations

Once you start building your process, Canvas can recommend steps that could be automated.

To see the recommendations, click on the canvas background to display the summary panel on the left side of the screen. 

When you click "Get recommendations", Canvas will review the existing steps and suggest Zaps that could automate parts of the process. After it runs, it will display the title of each recommendation on the summary panel. 

• Click on the recommendation's title to see details of the workflow.
• Click Create this Zap to automatically create the Zap. 

 

Share a process

Once you finish designing the process, you can share it with others. 

• Click Share on the top right corner of the screen.
• Click Download to get a PNG file of the whole canvas.

 

Collaborate with your team

If you're on a Teams or Companies Zapier plan, you can invite team members to collaborate on developing the process. To do so:

• Click Share on the top right corner of the screen.
• On the General access section, click the dropdown menu.
  • Select Can edit to give edit access to members of the account.
  • Select No access to prevent members from seeing and editing this canvas.
• Click Done.

 

Delete a canvas

To delete a canvas:

1. On the top right corner of the screen, click Options.
2. In the dialog box, type the name of the process in the Delete canvas field.
3. Click Delete.
4. You'll be redirected to the Canvas dashboard.

 

Provide feedback and get help

You can request a feature, provide feedback on the product, and get help from the Canvas team.