We draw shapes onto a slide all time – using the rectangle, oval and line tools, but have you ever tried to draw perfect shapes – square, circle or straight line?
If you have, you know how much of a pain that can be, fiddling around with the mouse trying to get it perfect. When you have and you finish, the shape isn’t right!
Well, once you know the ‘trick’, it’s actually really simple.
One simple key – Shift
Yep, that’s the trick – use the Shift Key.
I know it sounds too easy, but it’s the truth.
Of course the real skill is knowing how to use it.
I’ve recorded a video to explain it and show you:
Perfect Shapes
Perfect Square
Using the rectangle tool – click and drag to create your shape.
While the mouse button is still held down, press Shift to transform it to a perfect square.
Remember to let go of the mouse before the Shift key, otherwise it will revert back to a rectangle.
Perfect Circle
The same as a square, but with the oval tool instead.
Click and drag to create the shape, then press Shift to make it into a circle.
Note: For both of these options, the size of your item will change, because of the change of shape.
Perfect Line
Yes, this is the same as the other two.
However, it does have an additional option – as the line can be drawn:
- horizonal
- vertical
- diagonal
Note: The diagonal will look a bit odd, but if you’re using the Shift key it will be perfect.
And there you have it – the quick and easy way to create perfect shapes.
Final reminder:
You need to stop holding down the mouse (or trackpad) button before you let go of the Shift key.
This ensures that you create that perfect shape!
Quick Tip:
Once you’ve created the shape you wanted, you can click and drag to change the size, but remember to keep the Shift held down (again), otherwise your perfect shape won’t be any longer…
Don’t forget your PowerPoint 365 Quick Start Guide
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1 thought on “Your Basic Shapes Made Perfect”
The diagonal line trick was new to me – thanks.
Nice little video too, very useful. I hope that it is the first of many. When you have a few of them, have you considered creating a channel on YouTube to make them available to a wider audience ?
in the covering e-mail, it might have been worth saying to always work on a copy of your file or data, and never manipulate your only copy. I have seen folks get into difficulties with the exit without saving the changes method, particularly if they have already hit save part way through.
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