Video: Add and format shapes
Applies To
Visio Plan 2 Visio Professional 2024 Visio Standard 2024 Visio Professional 2021 Visio Standard 2021 Visio Professional 2019 Visio Standard 2019 Visio Professional 2016 Visio Standard 2016Tip: Video not in your language? Try selecting Closed Captions .
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Add shapes to your diagrams to communicate information, and include color and special effects for a professional look.
Add shapes
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Select the stencil that contains the shape you want to add.
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Select a shape, and drag it onto the drawing page.
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Point to the shape, and point to the arrow that indicates the direction of the next shape you want to add.
Note: If you don’t see the AutoConnect arrows, select View and make sure AutoConnect is selected.
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Select the shape you want to add.
Select shapes
Task |
Action |
Select a single shape |
Select Home > Pointer Tool, point to a shape until you see a four-headed arrow, and select the shape. |
Select multiple shapes in a rectangular area |
Select Home > Select > Area Select and drag a rectangle around the shapes. |
Select multiple shapes in a freeform area |
Select Home > Select > Lasso Select and drag a freeform lasso around the shapes. |
Select multiple shapes separated by other shapes |
Press Ctrl+Shift while selecting shapes. |
Select a particular kind of object |
Select Home > Select > Select by Type, select the type of object, and select OK. |
Remove a shape from a multiple selection |
Press Shift, and select the shape. |
Cancel a selection |
Select a blank area on the diagram, or press Esc. |
Change a shape into another shape
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Select the shape you want to change.
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Select Home > Change Shape.
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Browse the shapes and stencils until you find a shape you want.
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Select a shape.
All text and formatting applied to the original shape are applied to the new shape.
Rotate or flip shapes
Task |
Action |
Rotate a shape |
Select a shape, and drag the rotation handle. |
Rotate a shape 90 degrees |
Select a shape, select Home > Position > Rotate Shapes, and select either Rotate Left 90° or Rotate Right 90°. |
Flip a shape vertically |
Select a shape, and select Home > Position > Rotate Shapes > Flip Vertical. |
Flip a shape horizontally |
Select a shape, and select Home > Position > Rotate Shapes > Flip Horizontal. |
Rotate a shape precisely |
Select a shape, select View > Task Panes > Size & Position, and type in new values for Angle. |
Resize shapes
Task |
Action |
Resize a shape |
Select a shape, and drag a selection handle or endpoint until the shape is the size you want. |
Resize a shape proportionally |
Select a shape, and drag a corner handle. |
Resize a shape precisely |
Select a shape, select View > Task Panes > Size & Position, and type in new values for Width, Height, or Length. |
Move shapes
Task |
Action |
Move a shape |
Select a shape and drag it to a new position. |
Nudge a shape |
Select a shape, and select an arrow key. |
Move a shape one pixel at a time |
Select a shape and press Shift while pressing an arrow key. |
Move a shape precisely |
Select a shape, select View > Task Panes > Size & Position, and type in new values for X, Y, Begin X, Begin Y, End X, or End Y. |
Change the look of shapes
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Select a shape.
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On the Home tab, select style options:
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Quick Styles - Select a line and fill combination.
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Fill - Select a color, gradient, or pattern to fill the shape.
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Line - Select the line color, line thickness, or type of line.
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Effects - Select a shadow, reflection, glow, or 3-D effect.
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