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Page last updated 14 August 2026

The Canvas editor is a block-based content editor. Unlike rich text, which authors edit as one continuous formatted region, a Canvas field lets authors assemble separate typed blocks, such as headings, lists, images, tables, code samples, and panels, in any order.

This article covers the Canvas field editor as a content type builder option. For guidance on writing with an existing Canvas field, see Canvas editor overview and Inserting and customising the Canvas editor.

You control which block types and inline decorators, such as bold, code, and superscript, are available. Contensis provides three presets. Kitchen sink offers every block type and decorator. Long form offers headings, lists, images, dividers, tables, and links. Simple text offers headings, lists, dividers, bold, and italics. Choose Custom to build your own combination.

The Canvas field editor is available on entry and component content types.

Appearance

Where the field sits in the entry editor's tabs affects how it displays. Add a Canvas field to a tab on its own and it fills the tab as a full-sized editor. Add it alongside other fields on the same tab and it displays with the same field editor styling as those other fields. Both examples are presented in the Canvas editor overview article.

Settings

Setting nameSummary
NameA text label to identify the field in an entry.
Field IDA sanitised name to be used by the API.

Supported validation

This field editor does not support the standard validation methods available to other field editors. Use the block type and decorator configuration to control the content you can add.

Properties

Common properties

Property nameSummary
Placeholder textProvides a short hint before you add content to the field.
Field visibilityDetermines if the field is shown collapsed when the entry editor loads.

Block types and decorators

Determines which block types and inline decorators you can add. Block types include headings, lists, images, dividers, tables, code, panels, quotes, components, and forms. Inline decorators include bold, italics, and strikethrough. Choose a preset or select Custom to build your own combination.

You can restrict some block types after enabling them. Limit images and assets to selected upload paths and folders, and choose whether you can upload new files. Limit headings to selected levels, and limit links, entries, and components to selected content types. Forms are available as a block only if your project has a Forms licence.

Still need help?

If you still need help after reading this article, don't hesitate to reach out to the Contensis community on Slack or raise a support ticket to get help from our team.
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