The National Museum and Center for Service has been growing its plug and play exhibition templates to support our network of Community Curators. To make your editing experience as seamless as possible, the photos and major graphics have been locked in position. This means they won’t accidentally budge or mess up the layout while you work, but you can still drag and drop your own images right into them!

Everything is fully customizable. Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to help you edit your text, swap fonts, drop in your photos, and fully unlock elements if needed.

How to edit & insert text

All text boxes in the templates are fully editable. You can update the wording, add your own details, or add completely new sections of text.

• To edit existing text: Simply double-click inside any text box. The text will highlight, and you can start typing your own words.
• To add a new text box:
  1. Click on the Text tab on the left-side panel.
  2. Click “Add a text box” (or choose a heading/subheading style).
  3. Pro-Tip: Just press the “T” key on your keyboard while clicking on your canvas to instantly drop in a new text box!
• To resize text: Click on the text box and drag the corner handles inward or outward, or use the font size (+ / -) buttons in the top toolbar.

Video tutorial

How to change fonts & text styles

Want to swap the fonts to match your personal brand? It only takes a couple of clicks.

1. Click on the text box you want to change.
2. Look at the top toolbar and click on the Font Name dropdown (e.g., Open Sans or Canva Sans).
3. A panel will open on the left showing hundreds of font options. You can scroll through them or search for a specific style (like “modern,” “serif,” or “handwritten”).
4. Click on your chosen font to instantly apply it to your text.

Quick Tip: If you want to change that font across the entire template, look at the very bottom of the left panel after choosing your new font. Click the “Change All” button to update every text box in one go!

How to swap photos & unlock elements

Because the photos are only locked in position, you don’t have to unlock them just to change the picture. You can swap them out in seconds!

• To drag and drop new photos:
  1. Go to the Uploads tab on the left panel and upload your own image (or choose one from Canva’s “Elements” tab).
  2. Click and hold your image, then drag it directly over the existing photo in the template.
  3. Let go of your mouse, and your new photo will automatically snap into place!

To fully unlock or move an element: If you want to actually move, resize, or delete a locked graphic or photo frame:

4. Click on the element you want to modify.
5. Look for the small padlock icon ( 🔒 ) that appears either in the floating menu right above the element or in the top-right toolbar.
6. Click the padlock icon to fully unlock it. Now you can move or delete it freely!