The Sisyphus Comments

Using Text With PowerPoint AutoShapes

PowerPoint’s AutoShapes feature enables you to insert items such as lines, connectors, basic shapes, arrows, flowcharts, stars and banners, callouts, and action buttons. You can draw almost any shape you need using the AutoShapes feature by simply clicking and dragging. You can also move, resize, and delete AutoShapes as you would clip art or other graphics. You can even change the colors, lines, and orientation of your AutoShape object.

The AutoShape function is very useful but you must format it correctly. An improperly formatted AutoShape may result in text that flows over the edges and distracts from the overall design of your slide.

To keep the text within an AutoShape, right-click ([Ctrl]-click on the Mac) on the AutoShape then select Format AutoShape from the hidden menu. Next, click on the Text Box tab and select the Word Wrap Text In AutoShape and Resize AutoShape To Fit Text.

With the AutoShape Resize configured your text will use the AutoShape boundaries as margins until the shape is filled. In addition, the text will cause the AutoShape’s size to increase if necessary to accommodate all of the text. Of course, you can still use the AutoShape’s editing handles manipulate the size and shape of the AutoShape.