How to Use the Drawing Tools in Microsoft PowerPoint on Windows 11

Posted on 18th June 2023

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is a presentation program, created by Robert Gaskins and Dennis Austin at a software company named Forethought, Inc. It was released on April 20, 1987, initially for Macintosh computers only. Microsoft acquired PowerPoint for $14 million three months after it debuted. PowerPoint is currently a component of the Microsoft Office suite of productivity software.

Drawing Tools

The drawing tools in PowerPoint allow you to create and manipulate shapes and illustrations on your slides. With these tools, you can add interest and visual appeal to your presentations. You can also use the drawing tools to create diagrams and other types of illustrations.

To access the drawing tools:

  1. Click the Insert tab on the ribbon.
  2. In the Illustrations group, click Shapes.
  3. A drop-down menu will appear. Select the type of shape you want to insert.

Once you have inserted a shape, you can use the drawing tools to manipulate it. To access the drawing tools:

  1. Click the shape you want to manipulate.
  2. The Format tab will appear on the ribbon.
  3. In the Drawing Tools group, you will see the following tools:
  • Shape Fill: Allows you to change the color of the shape.
  • Shape Outline: Allows you to change the color, weight, and style of the line around the shape.
  • Shape Effects: Allows you to add special effects to the shape, such as shadows, glows, and 3-D effects.
  • Arrange: Allows you to change the order of the shapes on the slide, as well as the position of the shape on the slide.

To learn more about the drawing tools:

Click the Help tab on the ribbon, and then click Microsoft PowerPoint Help. In the Search for box, type drawing tools, and then click the Search button. A list of topics will appear. Click on the topic you want to learn more about.

How to Use the Drawing Tools in Microsoft PowerPoint on Windows 11

In this article, we’ll show you how to use the drawing tools in Microsoft PowerPoint on Windows 11. PowerPoint is a powerful presentation program that allows you to create dynamic, professional-looking slideshows. The drawing tools give you the ability to add shapes, lines, and other visual elements to your slides to help make your point.

Accessing the Drawing Tools

To access the drawing tools, click on the “Insert” tab on the ribbon at the top of the PowerPoint window. Then, click on the “Shapes” drop-down menu. This will open a menu of shapes that you can insert into your slide. To insert a shape, click on the shape you want and then click and drag it onto your slide.

Customizing Your Shape

Once you’ve inserted a shape into your slide, you can customize it to better suit your needs. To do this, click on the shape to select it. Then, click on the “Format” tab on the ribbon. This will open a menu of options that you can use to customize your shape.

For example, you can change the color or line thickness of your shape by clicking on the “Shape Outline” drop-down menu. You can also add effects to your shape, such as shadows or reflections, by clicking on the “Shape Effects” drop-down menu.

Inserting a Text Box

In addition to shapes, you can also insert a text box into your PowerPoint slide. To do this, click on the “Insert” tab on the ribbon and then click on the “Text Box” button. This will insert a text box onto your slide.

To enter text into your text box, click on the text box to select it and then start typing. You can format your text by clicking on the “Format” tab on the ribbon. This will open a menu of options that you can use to change the font, size, color, and other aspects of your text.

Drawing Lines and Arcs

In addition to shapes and text boxes, you can also insert lines and arcs into your PowerPoint slide. To do this, click on the “Insert” tab on the ribbon and then click on the “Shapes” drop-down menu. This will open a menu of shapes that you can insert into your slide.

To insert a line or arc, click on the shape you want and then click and drag it onto your slide. To customize your line or arc, click on it to select it and then click on the “Format” tab on the ribbon. This will open a menu of options that you can use to change the color, thickness, and other aspects of your line or arc.

Adding a Picture

In addition to shapes, text boxes, and lines, you can also insert pictures into your PowerPoint slide. To do this, click on the “Insert” tab on the ribbon and then click on the “Pictures” button. This will open a window where you can select a picture from your computer to insert into your slide.

Once you’ve inserted a picture, you can move it around on your slide and resize it by clicking and dragging it. You can also format your picture by clicking on it to select it and then clicking on the “Format” tab on the ribbon. This will open a menu of options that you can use to change the brightness, contrast, and other aspects of your picture.

Conclusion

The drawing tools in PowerPoint give you the ability to add shapes, lines, text boxes, and pictures to your slides. These tools can be used to create dynamic, professional-looking slideshows.