Combining shapes in PowerPoint

This applies to

PowerPoint

2010 and 2013

A powerful set of tools “hidden” in PowerPoint – so

first, you must Customize your Quick Access Tool Bar!

Combining shapes in PowerPoint

This is my Quick Access Tool Bar - you need one too!Right click in the Ribbon area and select “Customize QATB”

Combining shapes in PowerPoint

This window will open. On the left side are all the

Commands in PowerPoint (select All Commands) and

on the right is your QATB list to be populated

Combining shapes in PowerPointSelect “All Commands”

Select Combine Shapes and hit Add>>

Go down the Commands list and add

Intersect, Subtract & Union Shapes

Make sure this is checked so QATB is below the ribbon

While you’re at it, add any other commands that you think will be useful, (I have suggestions) then hit OK.

Combining shapes in PowerPoint

Combine shapes

Intersect shapes

Subtract shapes

Union shapes

Merges the shapes but overlapping areas get knocked out (empty)

The overlapping areas remain and the remainder

gets knocked out

Depends on the order in which you select the

shapes (Ctrl click or Lasso) and which is in front.

Need to play with this one!

The two shapes are unified without knocking out any

overlapping portion

Combining shapes in PowerPoint

Combine shapes

Intersect shapes

Subtract shapes

Union shapes

Merges the shapes but overlapping areas get knocked out (empty)

The overlapping areas remain and the remainder

gets knocked out

If you Ctrl select, the FIRST SHAPE SELECTED is cut out by that portion of the SECOND shape. If you

Lasso them, the object IN FRONT deletes from the one behind! Play with it!

The two shapes are unified without knocking out any

overlapping portion

Combining shapes in PowerPoint

union

lasso/subtract

lasso/combine

Depends how you Select them -

Ctrl click sequence vs. Lasso!

Have to play with them to see what works.

Combining shapes in PowerPoint

Depends how you Select them -

Ctrl click sequence vs. Lasso!

Have to play with them to see what works.

Combining shapes in PowerPoint

ENJOY!Comments/inquiries to

hdavies@goeverett.com