How to Make an ATS-Friendly Resume in Word, Google Docs or Canva

You don't need special software to create an ATS-friendly resume. Microsoft Word, Google Docs and even Canva can all produce a resume that applicant tracking systems read correctly — if you set them up the right way.

This guide gives you step-by-step instructions for each tool, plus a quick test to confirm your file works.

The goal, in one sentence

Whatever tool you use, you want a single-column document with real, selectable text, standard headings and simple formatting, exported as a text-based PDF or DOCX. See the ATS-friendly resume format for the full structure.

Microsoft Word

Word is the most reliable option: it's what many ATS parsers were originally built around.

Set up the page

1. Open a blank document (avoid heavily designed templates with tables and text boxes).
2. Set margins to Normal (1 inch) or Moderate (0.75 inch) under Layout → Margins.
3. Choose a font such as Calibri, Arial or Cambria, size 10.5–12 for body text.

Build the structure

1. Type your name at the top in 16–18 pt bold. Put contact details on the next line in the body, not using Insert → Header.
2. Use Home → Styles → Heading 1 or 2 for section headings: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, Projects.
3. Use Home → Bullets for achievement lists. Choose the standard round bullet.
4. For job title and dates on one line, use a right-aligned tab stop rather than a table. (Paragraph → Tabs → set a right tab at the margin.)

Avoid

• Insert → Text Box, SmartArt, Shapes and Icons
• Tables used for layout
• Columns (Layout → Columns should be "One")

Export

Use File → Save As → PDF (or "Save a Copy" on Microsoft 365). Keep a .docx copy for portals that ask for Word.

Google Docs

Google Docs is free, works on any device, and produces clean PDFs.

Set up the page

1. Create a blank document. Some of the built-in resume templates use tables — avoid those or check them carefully.
2. File → Page setup: margins 0.75–1 inch, paper size A4 (India) or Letter (US).
3. Choose Arial, Roboto or Georgia for body text.

Build the structure

1. Use Format → Paragraph styles to set Heading 2 for section headings.
2. Use the bulleted list button for achievements.
3. For right-aligned dates, use a right tab stop (drag one onto the ruler) instead of a table.
4. Type URLs (LinkedIn, GitHub) as visible text.

Export

File → Download → PDF document (.pdf), or Microsoft Word (.docx) if needed. Don't share a Google Docs link unless asked; download the file.

Canva

Canva is popular because its templates look great, but many are not ATS-friendly: they use multiple columns, icons, skill bars and text inside graphic elements. You can still use Canva safely with care. Read our detailed answer to is a Canva resume ATS friendly?.

Choose or adapt a template

1. Search for "simple resume" or "minimalist resume" and pick a single-column design.
2. Delete sidebars, progress bars, icons and photo frames.
3. Make sure all text is in text boxes you typed into, not in images or "elements".

Keep text as text

• Don't use fancy text effects, curved text or text converted to graphics.
• Use one or two standard fonts (Canva offers Arimo, Open Sans, Lato, Roboto).
• Keep each section in a top-to-bottom order; avoid placing text boxes side by side.

Export

Use Share → Download → PDF Standard. Do not choose "Flatten PDF", which can convert text into images. After downloading, test the PDF (see below).

The 30-second test for any file

1. Open your PDF and press Ctrl+A (select all), then Ctrl+C.
2. Paste into Notepad or a plain-text editor.
3. Check that:
   • all your text appears;
   • it reads in the right order, top to bottom;
   • bullets and special characters look normal;
   • your contact details are there.

If text is missing or jumbled, the ATS will see the same problem.

Even better, upload the file to our free ATS resume checker. It extracts the text the way an ATS does and warns you about images, multiple columns, garbled characters and missing headings.

Which tool should you use?

If you want to skip setup entirely, download our free ATS resume template for freshers — it's a ready-made Word file you can open in Word or Google Docs.

Key takeaways

• Word and Google Docs are the safest tools for ATS-friendly resumes.
• Use headings, bullets and tab stops — not tables, text boxes or columns.
• In Canva, choose single-column templates, delete graphics and export "PDF Standard".
• Always test the final file by copying its text or using an ATS checker.