Insert and Format Shapes in PowerPoint

Introduction

Shapes are a great way to make your presentations more interesting. PowerPoint gives you several shapes to choose from, and they can be customized to suit your needs, using your own color palette, preferences, and more. While you may not need shapes in every presentation you create, they can add visual appeal.

To insert a shape:

1. Select the Insert tab, then click the Shapes command in the Illustrations group. A drop-down menu of shapes will appear.
2. Select the desired shape.

3. Click and drag in the desired location to add the shape to the slide.

Modifying a shape or text box

When you click a shape or text box, handles will appear that let you manipulate the shape. There are several types of handles:

• Sizing handles: Click and drag the handles until the shape is the desired size. Use the corner handles to change height and width simultaneously.

• Rotation handle: Click and drag the circular arrow handle to rotate the shape.

• Yellow handles: Some shapes have yellow handles used to customize specific proportions (e.g., changing the length of the sun's rays).

Formatting shapes and text boxes

PowerPoint allows you to tailor shapes to your projects by changing their styles, fill colors, outlines, and adding effects.

To change the shape style:

1. Select the shape or text box.
2. On the Format tab, click the More drop-down arrow in the Shape Styles group.

3. Select the style you want to use. The style options depend on your current theme colors.

To change the shape fill color:

1. Select the shape and click the Shape Fill drop-down arrow on the Format tab.
2. Select the color you want to use. You can also select Gradient, Texture, or No Fill (transparent).

To change the shape outline:

1. Select the shape and click the Shape Outline drop-down arrow on the Format tab.
2. Select a color, or choose No Outline to make it transparent. You can also change the weight (thickness) or make it a dashed line.

To add shape effects:

1. Click the Shape Effects drop-down arrow on the Format tab.
2. Hover over an effect category (Shadow, Glow, Bevel, etc.) and select a preset.

To change to a different shape:

1. Select the shape and go to the Format tab.
2. Click the Edit Shape command, hover over Change Shape, and select the new shape.

3. The new shape will appear.

Challenge!

• Open our practice presentation.
• On slide 5, insert a Folded Corner shape from the Basic Shapes category.
• Rotate the shape slightly and change the shape fill to gold.
• Change the shape outline to No Outline.
• Add an Outer Shadow effect from the Shape Effects menu.
• Add the text: Make stress relief a priority!
• Change the shape to a different one of your choice (you may need to resize it to see the text).