Using some SmartArt layouts, you can add as many extra shapes as you want. Other layouts contain a fixed number of shapes. For example, the Counterbalance Arrows layout in the Relationship type is designed to represent only two opposing ideas or concepts, and so only two of the shapes can contain text
If you want to convey more than two ideas, switch to a layout that has more than two shapes available for text — such as the Pyramid List layout. Keep in mind that changing layouts or types for SmartArt graphics can alter the apparent meaning of your information. For example, a layout that shows arrows all pointing to the right, such as Basic Process in the Process type, has a different meaning from that of one that shows an arrow arranged in a circle, such as Continuous Cycle in the Cycle type.
Tip: For information about which SmartArt graphic to use, and how to get started using SmartArt, see Learn more about SmartArt graphics.
You can both add and delete shapes in most SmartArt graphics, and you can also change the positions of the various shapes, so you should choose a layout that provides the best visual representation of your data.
The following tables show some of the SmartArt graphics available.Â
Shape, tier, and level limits for lists
Layout name |
Picture |
Shape limit |
---|---|---|
Basic Block List |
|
Unlimited. |
Bending Picture Accent List |
|
Unlimited. |
Continuous Picture List |
|
Unlimited. |
Detailed Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Grouped List |
|
Unlimited. |
Hierarchy List |
|
Unlimited. |
Horizontal Bullet List |
|
Unlimited. |
Horizontal Picture List |
|
Unlimited. |
Picture Accent List |
|
Unlimited. |
Picture Caption List |
|
Unlimited. |
Pyramid List |
|
Unlimited. |
Segmented Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Stacked List |
|
Unlimited. |
Table Hierarchy |
|
Unlimited. |
Table List |
|
Only two levels: one main idea and unlimited second-level shapes. |
Target List |
|
Unlimited. |
Trapezoid List |
|
Unlimited. |
Vertical Arrow List |
|
Unlimited. |
Vertical Block List |
|
Unlimited. |
Vertical Box List |
|
Unlimited. |
Vertical Bullet List |
|
Unlimited. |
Vertical Chevron List |
|
Unlimited. |
Vertical Picture Accent List |
|
Unlimited. |
Vertical Picture List |
|
Unlimited. |
Shape, tier, and level limits for processes
Layout name |
Picture |
Shape limit |
---|---|---|
Accent Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Alternating Flow |
|
Unlimited. |
Arrow Ribbon |
|
Maximum two ideas. |
Basic Bending Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Basic Chevron Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Basic Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Basic Timeline |
|
Unlimited. |
Chevron List |
|
Unlimited. |
Circular Bending Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Closed Chevron Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Continuous Arrow Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Continuous Block Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Converging Arrows |
|
Unlimited. |
Diverging Arrows |
|
Unlimited. |
Equation |
|
Unlimited. |
Funnel |
|
Maximum of three ideas in the funnel and a fourth below it. |
Gear |
|
One main idea and two dependent ideas. Third-level text also shows. |
Opposing Arrows |
|
Two ideas. |
Picture Accent Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Process Arrows |
|
Unlimited. |
Process List |
|
Unlimited. |
Repeating Bending Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Staggered Process |
|
Maximum of five shapes. |
Upward Arrow |
|
Maximum of five shapes. |
Vertical Bending Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Vertical Equation |
|
Unlimited. |
Vertical Process |
|
Unlimited. |
Shape, tier, and level limits for cycles
Layout name |
Picture |
Shape limit |
---|---|---|
Basic Cycle |
|
Unlimited. |
Basic Pie |
|
Maximum of seven segments. |
Basic Radial |
|
One main idea with unlimited second-level text. |
Block Cycle |
|
Unlimited. |
Continuous Cycle |
|
Unlimited. |
Cycle Matrix |
|
Four ideas with second-level descriptions. |
Diverging Radial |
|
One main idea and unlimited second-level shapes. |
Multidirectional Cycle |
|
Unlimited. |
Nondirectional Cycle |
|
Unlimited. |
Radial Cycle |
|
One main idea and unlimited second-level shapes. |
Radial Venn |
|
One main idea and unlimited second-level shapes. |
Segmented Cycle |
|
Maximum of seven segments. |
Text Cycle |
|
Unlimited. |
Shape, tier, and level limits for hierarchies
Layout name |
Picture |
Shape limit |
---|---|---|
Hierarchy |
|
Unlimited. |
Horizontal Hierarchy |
|
Unlimited. |
Horizontal Labeled Hierarchy |
|
Unlimited. |
Labeled Hierarchy |
|
Unlimited. |
Organization Chart |
|
Unlimited. |
Shape, tier, and level limits for relationships
Layout name |
Picture |
Shape limit |
---|---|---|
Balance |
|
Unlimited. |
Basic Target |
|
Maximum of five ideas. Unlimited second-level text, but it may overlap. |
Basic Venn |
|
Unlimited. |
Converging Radial |
|
One main idea with unlimited second-level text. |
Counterbalance Arrows |
|
Two ideas. |
Linear Venn |
|
Unlimited. |
Nested Target |
|
Three ideas. |
Radial List |
|
One main idea and unlimited secondary ideas. |
Stacked Venn |
|
Maximum of seven ideas. |
Shape, tier, and level limits for matrices
Layout name |
Picture |
Shape limit |
---|---|---|
Basic Matrix |
|
Four ideas. |
Grid Matrix |
|
Four ideas. |
Titled Matrix |
|
One main idea with four second-level ideas. |
Shape, tier, and level limits for pyramids
Layout name |
Picture |
Shape limit |
---|---|---|
Basic Pyramid |
|
Unlimited. |
Inverted Pyramid |
|
Unlimited. |
Segmented Pyramid |
|
Unlimited. |