You can add different shapes to your document. These include arrows, squares, stars, callouts, and flowchart shapes. Shapes help make your document look better and clearer.

For example:

• Use a line to highlight your name and address on a resume.
• Use flowchart shapes to create a diagram or timeline.

How to Insert a Shape

1. Click the Insert tab.
2. Click the Shapes command. A menu will appear.
   
   
   
3. Select the shape you want.
   
   
   
4. Click and drag to place the shape in your document.

Adding Text to a Shape

You can type inside a shape. Click on the shape and start typing. You can also change the font, size, and color using the Home tab.

Changing Shape Order

Sometimes, one shape may overlap another. You can change the order to bring a shape to the front or send it to the back.

1. Right-click the shape you want to move.
   
   
   
2. Hover over Bring to Front or Send to Back in the menu.
   
   
   
3. Select the option you need.
   
   
   

If the shape order doesn’t change, try again or choose a different option.

Using the Selection Pane

If shapes overlap, selecting a single shape can be hard. Use the Selection Pane to choose and move a shape easily. You can find this option under the Format tab.

Resizing a Shape

1. Click the shape. Small circles, called sizing handles, will appear.
   
   
   
2. Click and drag the handles to resize the shape. Use the corner handles to resize both height and width at the same time.
   
   
   

Rotating a Shape

1. Click the shape.
   
   
   
2. Drag the rotation handle to rotate the shape.
   
   
   

Modifying a Shape

Some shapes have yellow handles. You can use these to adjust the shape’s appearance. For example, in a banner shape, you can move the folds.

Changing Shape Style

You can change a shape’s color, style, and effects.

1. Click the shape.
   
   
   
2. Go to the Format tab.
   
   
   
3. Click More in the Shape Styles group.
   
   
   
4. Select the style you like.
   
   
   

Changing Shape Fill Color

1. Click the shape.
   
   
   
2. Go to the Format tab.
   
   
   
3. Click Shape Fill and choose a color.
   
   
   

To see more colors, click More Fill Colors. You can also choose Gradient, Texture, or No Fill (to make it transparent).

Changing Shape Outline

1. Click the shape.
   
   
   
2. Go to the Format tab.
   
   
   
3. Click Shape Outline and select a color.
   
   
   

You can also change the outline thickness or make it dashed.

Adding Shape Effects

1. Click the shape.
   
   
   
2. Go to the Format tab.
   
   
   
3. Click Shape Effects and choose an effect.
   
   
   

For more effect options, click Options at the bottom of the menu.

Changing a Shape

1. Click the shape.
   
   
   
2. Go to the Format tab.
   
   
   
3. Click Edit Shape > Change Shape.
   
   
   
4. Select a new shape.

The new shape will replace the old one.

By using these options, you can make your document look more professional and easy to understand.