How to Create New PowerPoint Autoshapes

Autoshaping is a feature in PowerPoint that allows the user to create his own images for a presentation. Autoshapes can vary from arrows and lines to symbols that can be modified by the user. When shapes are complete, they can be put into the slide, becoming part of the presentation.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Microsoft PowerPoint

1. Open up PowerPoint. At the top of the screen, click on "Insert > Picture > Autoshapes." A toolbar for autoshapes will open up on the screen.

2. Click on each symbol in the toolbar to determine what type of shape you what to draw. Each button has its own list of unique shapes for customization. Images in the "More Autoshapes" feature can be manipulated, but cannot be redrawn by the user.

3. Choose which shape or drawing you want to create. Each button will have its own descriptive pop-up when the cursor is hovering above it. The image will appear on the slide after you click on it.

4. Clicking and holding down the left mouse button on any part of the image will allow you to move the image anywhere on the slide. The white circles will allow you to stretch or shrink the image to any size. The green circle allows you to rotate the image.

5. Complete your customizations and follow standard PowerPoint procedure to blend the shape with the rest of your presentation.

Tips & Warnings

• There's little limit to what the user can design. The "FreeForm" tool under the "lines" button in the autoshapes toolbar allows users to create any image they can draw.