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# Automatically Extract Text from Canva Social Posts
- URL: https://tinkeringwithideas.io/extract-text-social-posts/
- Published: 2025-09-10T15:15:41.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-13T10:07:12.000Z
- Description: Turn one post into two posts.
- Author: Anna Burgess Yang
- Tags: Automation, Buffer, ChatGPT, Zapier

I try to squeeze the most value out of my content as possible.

I use ChatGPT to [rewrite text posts](https://tinkeringwithideas.io/repurpose-social-posts-using-chatgpt/) from LinkedIn so they're more appropriate for Threads. I [pull quotes from podcast transcripts](https://tinkeringwithideas.io/podcast-quotes-ai/). And I turn the text from Canva images into standalone social posts.

I keep my content varied, and that includes some images I create in Canva. I have several templates and add some text to the image. Like this:

![A career setback doesn't mean you're starting from scratch. It means you're starting from experience.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/2025/07/extract-image-example.png)

Since I took the time to write the text on an image post, I want to use it *again* as its own text-based post. For a long time, I was having my virtual assistant do this manually – and then realized I could do this automatically using ChatGPT's image analysis.

To set this up, you'll need a social media scheduling tool (like Buffer), ChatGPT, and [Zapier](https://try.zapier.com/annabyang?ref=tinkeringwithideas.io). *\[affiliate link\]*

![screenshot of the Zapier setup](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/2025/07/tinkering-with-ideas-zapier-image-ChatGPT-images.png)

⚙️

If you're not familiar with setting up automation in Zapier, start with [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpoGs5--y6o&ref=tinkeringwithideas.io).

## Step 1: Create a Zap based on a new sent item in Buffer

This Zap is based on **sent** items in Buffer. Here's the Buffer view – you can see that the Canva image was sent (this is my LinkedIn profile).

![Screenshot of a sent post in Buffer](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/2025/07/social-posts-image-analysis---Step-0.png)

In Zapier, you'll select Buffer as your app and **New Sent Item** as your trigger event.

![Screenshot of seleting "New Sent Item" as a trigger event in Zapier](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/2025/07/social-posts-image-analysis---Step-1.png)

On the Configure tab, you'll select your Organization and Channel (in this case, the image was sent from my LinkedIn profile).

![Screenshot of selecting an organization and channel in Zapier](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/2025/07/social-posts-image-analysis---Step-2.png)

## Step two: Add a filter 

You don't want this Zap to run for *all* sent posts; you only want it to run for those that contain images. 

You'll add a Filter step in Zapier. Under **Only continue if** select "Type" from your Buffer step.

![Screenshot of adding a filter step in Zapier](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/2025/07/social-posts-image-analysis---Step-3.png)

In the conditions field, you'll select "Contains" and then type in "picture."

By doing this, your Zap will only run when you send pictures (images) from Buffer.

![Screenshot of adding a filter of "picture" in Zapier](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/2025/07/social-posts-image-analysis---Step-4.png)

## Step 3: Add ChatGPT image analysis

Next, you need ChatGPT to extract the text from the image.

You'll select ChatGPT as the app and an **Action Event** of "Analyze Images."

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/2025/07/social-posts-image-analysis---Step-5.png)

You'll type in your instructions to ChatGPT in the **Message** field. Mine say:

*Extract the text from this image. Ignore the text that says "start.annabyang.com." Return only the text from the image and nothing else."*

I have to include the instructions to ignore my website because it's in the footer of my image. Otherwise, I'd get the URL included with the extracted text.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/2025/07/social-posts-image-analysis---Step-6.png)

Below the **Message** field, you need to attach the image. 

You'll select the "Media Picture" from your Buffer step. This sends the image sent by Buffer through ChatGPT along with your instructions.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/2025/07/social-posts-image-analysis---Step-7.png)

## Step 4: Schedule a social post with the extracted text

Finally, you'll send the extracted text directly back to your social media scheduling tool. 

I send the text back to the "Create" space for Buffer, which is a place to store ideas. I sometimes like to edit the extracted text posts before I publish them. 

But you could also send the extracted text directly back to your queue. You could send it to a different channel (like Threads). You could also add a Delay step in Zapier if you wanted some time between the inital image post and the text post (like a 30-day delay before it is sent back to your social media scheduling tool.

In Buffer, your **Action event** is "Create Idea."

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/2025/07/social-posts-image-analysis---Step-8.png)

Zapier warns me that there is a possible loop – because I'm starting and ending the Zap with Buffer. But it's not a true loop because the steps are doing different things. 

For the Create space, I have to add a **Title**. I use "Repurpose from Text Post" so I can easily identify them.

In the **Text** field, you'll click the (+) button and add the "Image Analysis" from the ChatGPT step.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/2025/07/social-posts-image-analysis---Step-10.png)

At the bottom, you can choose to add **Tags** or a **Group**. I have Groups set up for different social profiles, so I add this post to the Threads Group.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/2025/07/social-posts-image-analysis---Step-11.png)

Boom. One post is now two posts!

## More resources:

- [Getting Started With Automation](https://products.annabyang.com/l/automation-guide?ref=tinkeringwithideas.io) (a free guide)
- [How I Produce Content Consistently As a Solopreneur](https://blog.annabyang.com/content-production-solopreneur/?ref=tinkeringwithideas.io)
- [Welcome to the Machine: Employees, AI, and Responsible Companies](https://www.workbetter.media/p/welcome-to-the-machine?ref=tinkeringwithideas.io)

[Automatically Send Your Published Content to BufferCreate a workflow to publish your content to your social profiles.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/icon/1-11.png)Tinkering With IdeasAnna Burgess Yang![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c6/8b/c68b9f37-94e3-4c3c-ae12-39470811de24/content/images/thumbnail/tinkering-with-ideas-published-articles-buffer-1.png)](https://tinkeringwithideas.io/save-published-content-buffer-zapier/)