How to Draw in PowerPoint

In PowerPoint, create elaborate drawings using a mouse instead of a pencil.

Liven up your next PowerPoint presentation with custom-made, hand-drawn images. The Microsoft's PowerPoint software enables novice users to create compelling slide show presentations by clicking buttons and arranging objects on the screen. If you have artistic abilities, use your mouse to draw complex shapes and add color and depth to them. If you prefer to add predefined shapes such as circles and squares, PowerPoint will assist you in creating those quickly.

Instructions

1. Open PowerPoint.

2. Click the "Insert" tab at the top of the screen. The "Insert" toolbar will open below the tab and display sections such as "Pages," "Tables" and "Illustrations."

3. Click "Shapes" in the Illustrations tab. A drop-down menu will open. Here, you will see lines, rectangles, stars, arrows and other pre-defined shapes.

4. Click one of the rectangles to select it. Your cursor will change to a cross hair. Hold down the left mouse button and draw a rectangle. When you finish, you will see a rectangle with handles around the edges.

5. Drag a handle to resize the rectangle. To move the rectangle, click the center of the shape and move it to a new location.

6. Click the "Format" tab at the top of the screen. The "Format" toolbar will open and display the "Shape Styles" section. Click "Shape Fill" in that section and select one of the colors in the drop-down list. Click a color and PowerPoint will change the color of the rectangle to match the color that you select. Change an object's fill color using this method.

7. Click the "Undo" button at the top of the screen do undo your most recent change.

8. Click the "Insert" tab again and then click "Shapes" to open the drop-down list containing shapes.

9. Locate the "Lines" section in this list and click the "Freeform" tool. This is the second tool from the right in the "Lines" section.

10. Hold down your left mouse button and draw any closed shape. Double-click the shape when you finish drawing. PowerPoint will create a shape similar to the rectangle shape with handles around the edges. Resize your shape by dragging any of the handles.

11. Continue to experiment with the shapes, lines and colors in the drawing section.

Tips & Warnings

• Many tools have no name in PowerPoint's drawing section. To view tool names, hold your mouse pointer over a tool. This will assist you in identifying tools and shapes. To delete a shape, click it and press the "Delete" key on your keyboard

References

• Microsoft: Let's Draw Shapes and Connectors - Support - Microsoft Office

Resources

• Microsoft: 12 Tips for Creating Better Presentations