How To Select Shape in PowerPoint In Different Ways

In this tutorial, we will show you various methods for selecting shapes in PowerPoint, including clicking on the shape, using the Shift key to select multiple shapes, using the selection pane, and using the keyboard shortcut.

With these methods, you will be able to easily select and manipulate shapes in PowerPoint to create engaging and visually appealing presentations.

Selecting a shape in Microsoft PowerPoint is an essential step in customizing and formatting your presentation. Whether you want to change the color, size, or position of a single shape or multiple shapes, selecting them is the first step.

Understanding the Different Types of Shapes in PowerPoint

There are various types of shapes available in PowerPoint, including basic shapes such as rectangles, circles, and triangles, as well as more complex shapes such as flow charts, stars, and callouts.

Here are the following lists of types of shapes available that can be used in slides.

  • Basic shapes: rectangle, rounded rectangle, square, oval, circle, triangle, diamond, arrow, line, callout, etc.
  • Flowchart shapes: process, decision, data, terminal, etc.
  • Block arrows: left arrow, right arrow, up arrow, down arrow, etc.
  • Stars and banners: 5-point star, 6-point star, 7-point star, etc.
  • Callouts: thought bubble, speech bubble, etc.
  • Equation shapes: integral, summation, etc.
  • Block diagram shapes: cylinder, process, cycle, etc.
  • Stars: asterisk, black star, white star, etc.
  • Animals: cat, dog, bird, etc.
  • People: silhouette of a person, etc.
Shapes

These shapes can be customized by changing the color, line weight, fill, and adding effects such as shadows, reflections, and more.

Technically, it is important to understand the different types of shapes available in PowerPoint and how they can be used effectively in your presentations.

Now let’s walk through how to select these shapes…

how to select all shapes in PowerPoint

To select all shapes in PowerPoint, follow these steps:

1. Go to the “Home” tab.

Home tab
Home tab

2. In the “Editing” group, click the “Select” drop-down.

Select in Editing group
Select in Editing group

3. Select “Select All“.

Select Drop down Select All
Select Drop down Select All

Alternatively, you can also use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + A" to select all shapes on a slide.

how to select shapes in PowerPoint

To select a shape in PowerPoint, follow these steps:

  1. Click to select the shape.

    Click on the shape you want to select. This will highlight the shape and show its handles, which are small squares at the corners and sides of the shape.

    Higlight shape

  2. Use SHIFT key to select multiple shapes at once.

    If you want to select multiple shapes, hold down the Shift key while clicking on each shape. This allows you to select multiple shapes at once.

    Shift Key

  3. Select all shapes using select all in the editing group.

    If you want to select all the shapes on a slide, click the “Home” tab, then click the “Select” drop-down in the “Editing” group and select “Select All”.

  4. Select shape using selection pane.

    If you have trouble selecting a shape, try clicking on it multiple times, or try selecting it using the selection pane.
    To use the selection pane, go to the “Home” tab, click the “Arrange” drop-down in the “Drawing” group, and select “Selection Pane“. In the selection pane, click on the shape you want to select.

    Selection Pane

how to select multiple shapes in PowerPoint

To select multiple shapes in PowerPoint, follow these steps:

  1. Click and hold down the left mouse button on the first shape you want to select.
  2. While holding down the left mouse button, drag the cursor over the other shapes you want to select.
  3. Release the left mouse button once you have selected all the shapes you need.

Alternatively, you can also select multiple shapes by holding down the Shift key and clicking on each shape you want to select.

Shift keyboard key
Shift keyboard key

Note: If you have difficulty selecting multiple shapes, try clicking on them multiple times or using the Selection Pane.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are various ways to select shapes in PowerPoint, including using the Selection Pane, selecting multiple shapes, using the Format Shape option, and grouping shapes. Understanding these methods will allow you to effectively use shapes in your presentations and enhance their visual appeal.

For more Powerpoint tutorials like this don’t hesitate to visit our website.

Thank you for reading 🙂

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