Which SmartArt graphic layouts have unlimited shapes?

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

Counterbalance Arrows layout image

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.