Let’s face it: presenting ideas or various processes would never be the same without Microsoft PowerPoint. Without a doubt, arrows are a vital shape that you need to illustrate relationships, directions, processes, or flows in your slides.
But how to insert arrows in PowerPoint? Well, to insert and present arrows in PowerPoint, you can use the Shapes menu, the SmartArt feature, the Curve tool, or the Animation feature.
Now, we know this vague instruction is not enough to show you how exactly to insert arrows in PowerPoints. Don’t worry! In this article, we have explained everything about inserting arrows in PowerPoint with proper picture guides. Journey along to learn!
How to Insert Arrows in PowerPoint? (4 Methods Explained)
Let’s explore the easiest 4 methods of inserting arrows in PowerPoint presentations:
Method 1: Inserting Arrows from the “Shapes” Menu
The easiest way to insert arrows in PowerPoint is to use the “Shapes” menu (as shown in the below screenshot).
This menu contains a variety of arrow shapes that you can choose from and draw on your slides.
Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Open PowerPoint and select the slide where you want to insert the arrow.
Step 2: Click on the “Insert” tab in the ribbon and select the “Shapes” dropdown menu.
Step 3: Choose the arrow shape you want to use by clicking on it. You can find different types of arrows in the “Lines” and “Block Arrows” sections.
Step 4: Click and drag your cursor on the slide to create the arrow. You can adjust the length and direction of the arrow by moving your mouse while holding down the left button.
Step 5: Release the mouse button when you are satisfied with the arrow.
Step 6: To resize or reposition the arrow, click on it and drag the selection handles. You can also rotate the arrow by dragging the round-arrow handle at the top.
Step 7: To change the color, style, or effect of the arrow, click on it and use the options in the “Format tab.”
Method 2: Inserting Arrows from SmartArt
Another way to insert arrows in PowerPoint is to use SmartArt. SmartArt is a feature that allows you to create professional-looking graphics with text and shapes.
You can find many SmartArt layouts that include arrows, such as Process, Cycle, Hierarchy, or Relationship.
Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Open PowerPoint and select the slide where you want to insert the arrow.
Step 2: Click on the “Insert” tab in the ribbon and select the SmartArt button.
Step 3: Choose a SmartArt layout that contains arrows from the categories on the left. You can preview each layout by hovering over it with your mouse.
Step 4: Click on “OK” to insert the SmartArt graphic on your slide.
Step 5: To add text to your SmartArt graphic, click on a placeholder and type your text. You can also use the “Text Pane” on the left to enter your text.
Or,
Step 6: To add more shapes or arrows to your SmartArt graphic, click on a shape and use the “Create Graphic” buttons in the “SmartArt Design” tab.
Step 7: To change the color, style, or layout of your SmartArt graphic, use the options in the “Format” tabs.
Method 3: Inserting Curved Arrows
If you want to insert curved arrows in PowerPoint, you can use a special technique. It involves drawing a curve and adding an arrowhead to it.
Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Open PowerPoint and select the slide where you want to insert the curved arrow.
Step 2: Click on the “Insert” tab in the ribbon and select the Shapes dropdown menu.
Step 3: Choose the “Curve” shape from the Lines section.
Step 4: Click on a point on your slide where you want to start your curved arrow.
Step 5: Move your mouse to another point where you want to bend your curve and click again.
Step 6: Repeat step 5 until you have created your desired curve shape.
Step 7: “Double-click” on your last point to finish drawing your curve.
Step 8: To add an arrowhead to your curve, click on it and select “Format Shape” from the “right-click” menu.
Step 9: In the “Format Shape” pane, expand “Line.”
Step 10: Under “End Arrow type,” choose an arrowhead style from the dropdown menu.
Step 11: To adjust the size or angle of the arrowhead, use the sliders below the dropdown menu.
Step 12: To change the color or style of the curve or the arrowhead, use the options in the “Shape Format” tab.
Note: Here’s another method of inserting carved arrows in a video guide. Check it out as well.
Method 4: Inserting Animated Arrows
If you want to insert animated arrows in PowerPoint, you can use the “Animation” feature. This feature allows you to add motion effects to your arrows, such as entrance, exit, emphasis, or motion path.
You can also control the timing, duration, and trigger of your animations.
Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Open PowerPoint and select the slide where you want to insert the animated arrow.
Step 2: Insert an arrow using any methods described above (in Method 1, Method 2, or Method 3).
Step 3: Click on the arrow and select the “Animations” tab in the ribbon.
Step 4: Choose an animation effect from the “gallery” or click on the “Add Animation” button to see more options.
Step 5: To preview your animation, click on the “Preview” button or press “F5” on the keyboard to start the slide show.
Step 6: To change the order, timing, or duration of your animation, use the options in the “Timing” group or click on the “Animation Pane” button to see more details.
Step 7: To add a motion path to your arrow, click on the “Add Animation” button and choose a motion path from the Motion Paths section. You can also draw a custom motion path by choosing “Custom Path” from the menu.
Step 8: To edit your motion path, click on it and drag the handles or points. You can also “right-click” on it and select “Edit Points” to see more options.
Step 9: To change the direction or orientation of your arrow along the motion path, use the options in the “Effect Options” dropdown menu.
Troubleshooting Common Issues When Inserting Arrows in PowerPoint
Sometimes, you may encounter issues or challenges when inserting arrows in PowerPoint. Here are some common problems and how to solve them:
1. How to insert multiple arrows at once?
If you want to insert more than one arrow of the same type on your slide, you can use the “Lock Drawing” Mode feature. This feature allows you to draw multiple shapes without having to select them again from the “Shapes” menu.
- To use this feature, “right-click” on the arrow shape you want in the “Shapes” menu and select “Lock Drawing” Mode.
- Then, draw as many arrows as you want on your slide.
- To exit the “Lock Drawing” Mode, press “Esc” or “right-click” anywhere on the slide.
2. How to resize and reposition arrows in your presentation?
If you want to resize or reposition multiple arrows at once in your presentation, you can use the “Select All” feature or the “Selection Pane” feature.
- To use the Select All feature, press “Ctrl+A” to select all the shapes on your slide or “Ctrl+Shift+A” to select all the shapes in your presentation.
- Then, resize or reposition them as needed using the “selection handles” (accessed through “right-mouse-click”) or the keyboard “arrow” keys.
- If you want to select or deselect some particular arrows, use the “Selection Pane” feature. To do this, click on the “Selection Pane” and “select/deselect” arrows.
Conclusion
This guide of ours covers pretty much everything about using arrows at the basic levels. Do you need any more advanced guides? Check out this video guide that covers everything about arrows.
Remember, in Microsoft PowerPoint, there’s always more than one way to do things. So, you might also find your own way of inserting arrows in PowerPoint. So, we wish you the best of luck with arrows in PowerPoint!