How to merge shapes in PowerPoint presentations

Visual elements play a key role in making presentations more engaging and professional. In this guide, you’ll learn how to merge shapes in PowerPoint, helping you create polished and engaging slides with ease.

Why merge shapes in PowerPoint?

Using Merge Shapes in PowerPoint is a simple yet powerful way to create custom graphics, icons, and unique visuals. Instead of relying on standard shapes, you can combine multiple elements into a single object, making your slides look more professional and visually appealing.

This feature helps in:

• Designing custom layouts: Create personalized graphics that fit your presentation’s theme.
• Improving consistency: Ensure a uniform design across slides for a professional look.
• Saving time: Avoid inserting multiple overlapping elements by merging them into one.

If you’re wondering where is Merge Shapes in PowerPoint or struggling to find it, this guide will walk you through how to access and use it effectively.

How to merge shapes: step-by-step guide

Let’s check how to do it using ONLYOFFICE Presentation Editor as an example.

Step 1: Open your presentation

Start by opening an existing PPT or PPTX file in ONLYOFFICE Presentation Editor. If you’re working on a new project, create a blank slide where you’ll add the shapes.

Step 2: Insert the shapes you want to merge

Go to the Insert tab and select Shapes from the toolbar. Pick the shapes you want to combine and place them on the slide. Arrange them so that they overlap, as merging only works when shapes are positioned correctly.

If you’re creating a new graphic from scratch, consider using basic geometric shapes like rectangles, circles, or triangles. These can be combined in different ways to form more complex visuals.

Step 3: Find the Merge Shapes tool

Once the shapes are in place, select all of them by holding Shift and clicking each one. Then, go to the Home tab, where you’ll find the Merge Shapes tool.

If you can’t find Merge Shapes in PowerPoint, make sure you have selected multiple shapes, as the option only appears when more than one shape is selected.

Step 4: Choose a merge option

After selecting your shapes, you can choose from five merging options:

• Union: Combines selected shapes into one.
• Combine: Merges shapes while removing overlapping areas, creating a cut-out effect.
• Fragment: Splits overlapping parts into separate pieces.
• Intersect: Keeps only the overlapping area of the selected shapes.
• Subtract: Removes the second shape from the first.

Trying different options can help you combine shapes in PowerPoint in a way that best fits your slide design. For additional design help, check out professional presentation templates.

Tips for merging shapes the smart way

• Align shapes before merging: Use the grid or guides to position shapes accurately.
• Keep a backup: Copy the original shapes before merging, so you can make adjustments if needed.
• Test different merge options: Each merge type creates a unique effect, so explore different possibilities.
• Use consistent colors: Merging shapes with different colors may result in unexpected changes, so adjust them as necessary.
• Group elements if needed: If you plan to merge multiple elements, grouping them first can help maintain the intended layout.

Get ONLYOFFICE to combine shapes

Explore the powerful features of the ONLYOFFICE Presentation Editor in this video and unlock new possibilities for creating stunning, professional presentations:

Start using ONLYOFFICE Presentation Editor today and elevate your presentation game!

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