PowerPoint 2007 for Starters: The Missing Manual

Modifying Drawings

Just as you erase and redraw the sketches you make on paper, you can erase and redraw the drawings you add to your PowerPoint slides. This section shows you how to modify individual lines and shapes. The next section shows you how to layer, align, and group multiple lines and shapes.

Selecting Lines and Shapes

Before you can modify a shape or line, you first need to do one of the following:

• Select a single shape or line, mouse over it until your cursor changes from a normal, single-headed arrow into a four-headed arrow; then click.

• Select multiple shapes or lines, click the first shape or line to select it, and then hold down the Shift key as you click additional shapes and lines.

Applying Shape Styles

PowerPoint comes with a handful of Shape Style options that let you add professionally designed, theme-coordinated colors and effects (including glows and reflections) to your lines and shapes.

The great thing about Shape Styles is that they let you gussy up your drawings with one or two clicks. The downside is that you run the risk of producing a drawing that looks exactly like a million other drawings on a million other PowerPoint slides. (It's a modest risk because most folks use drawings infrequently and because you'll deliver such a compelling presentation that your audience won't notice.)

To format your drawings by applying a prebuilt Shape Style, first select the line or shape to which you'll apply your Shape Style. Go to Drawing Tools | Format → Shape Styles ...