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Excel - Shapes


Excel Shapes are the basic building blocks for children, adults, and professionals. You can add multiple interactive shapes like squares, rectangles, arrows, and many more to the Excel worksheet, add the text string, and change their styles such as Shape effects, Shape color, and Shape Outline, through the Shape Format tab for a better appearance.

Collection of Shapes in Microsoft Excel

  • Line
  • Rectangles
  • Basic Shapes
  • Block Arrows
  • Equation Shapes
  • Flowchart
  • Stars and Banners
  • Callouts

Each Excel shapes collection has a separate list. Lines can be a single, double arrow, connector, curve, etc.

Collection of Shapes in the Microsoft Excel

Steps to Insert Shapes in Microsoft Excel

First, open a new Microsoft Excel worksheet. After that, select the Insert tab and expand the Illustrations tile.

What are steps to insert Shapes in Microsoft Excel

Furthermore, you can expand the Shapes tile and select the desired shape. Once you choose a particular shape, the mouse pointer transforms into the + sign, and you may drag the + sign and place it in any portion of the worksheet.

Mouse Pointer Transforms into The + Sign

Lets suppose you choose the Rectangle from the Shape icon and drag the + sign, and drop it into the specified area of the worksheet as given below:

Choose The Rectangle From The Shape Icon

Add a Text String to a Shape in Microsoft Excel

Various steps need to be taken place to insert a text into a Shape.

You may right-click on the Rectangle and choose the Edit text from the drop-down list.

How to add a text string to a Shape in Microsoft Excel

After that, the text option is enabled, and you can write the text inside the Rectangle.

Text Option is Enabled

Format a Shapes in Microsoft Excel

Once you add shapes to the Excel worksheet, you can easily change the default formatting of the inserted excel shapes.

You can select the Shape Format tab, which offers options such as Shape Styles, Shape Fill, Shape Outline, Shape Effects, and WordArt Styles.

Case Scenario − Harry is a beginner in Microsoft Excel, and he has to complete his Excel Shape assignment where he has to add the rectangle in the Microsoft Excel and change its shape formatting as mentioned below:

  • Set the Shape fill to green color.
  • Alter the Shape Outline to 3 pt.
  • Apply the Shape Effects to Glow and set the Glow Variations to 8 points, Orange, Accent Color 2.
  • Edit the Rectangle shape to the Isosceles Triangle shape.

Lets elaborate on each point thoroughly.

Set the Shape Fill to Green Color

In the previous section, rectangle shape has been already added into the Excel worksheet. Now he can select the Rectangle shape.

Set the Shape fill to Green Color

After that, navigate to the "Shape Format" tab and expand the "Shape Fill" and select the Dark green color from the given list of the Theme Colors.

Select Dark Green Color from Given List

Alter the Shape Outline Weight to 3 pt

To change the Shape Outline, he can expand the "Shape Outline" and select the "Weight" option and choose the 3 pt from the drop-down list.

Alter the Shape Outline Weight to 3 pt

Therefore, the Rectangle Shape border has been wider to 3 points.

Rectangle Shape Border Wider to 3 points

Apply Glow Shape Effects: 8 Point, Orange, Accent Color 2

He can select "Shape Effects" under the "Shape Format" tab, expand the "Glow" option, and select "Glow, 8 point, Orange Color, Accent Color 2."

Apply Shape Effects to Glow and Set Glow Variations to 8 Point

Edit the Rectangle Shape to Isosceles Triangle Shape

You may click on the "Edit Shapes" under the "Shape Format" tab and click on the "Change Shape" and select the "Isosceles Triangle" under the "Basic Shapes" section.

Edit Rectangle Shape to Isosceles Triangle Shape

Therefore, the Rectangle shape has been edited and transformed into the Isosceles Triangle.

Rectangle Shape Edited and Transformed into Isosceles Triangle

Can Harry Add the Same Shape Like Line shape so Many Times

Yes, he can add the similar shape multiple times. He clicked on the "Illustrations" and then select the "Shape" icon and then right click on the "Line" shape and select the "Lock Drawing Mode".

Can Harry add Same Shape like Line Shape so Many Times

After that, once you click on any portion in the Excel worksheet, the Line shape would be added. Repeat this process multiple times to add the same shape in the Excel worksheet.

Click on Any Portion in The Excel Worksheet