There is practically no limit to what you can create using the AutoShape feature in Microsoft Word. This feature provides a wide variety of geometric shapes that are useful for creating graphic objects, including lines, block arrows, banners, callouts, equation shapes, symbols, and much more. In addition, a large number of predesigned effects can be applied to enhance an AutoShape, such as 3-D, shadow effects, gradient fills and transparencies, etc. This article provides instructions on different methods for using the AutoShapes feature in Microsoft Word.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Place an Autoshape
Step 1. Find the AutoShapes menu
Within the menu bar, click on the "Insert" tab and press the AutoShapes button located in the "Illustrations" menu within the formats bar. Take note of the different AutoShapes found in the drop-down menu.
Step 2. Place an Autoshape on your document
For the purposes of this guide, it will be sufficient for you to select a basic shape. You simply have to click on any shape to begin the insertion process. The AutoShapes menu will automatically close and the mouse pointer will be replaced by a thin crosshair. Click and drag the crosshair anywhere in the document to insert the AutoShape. You have inserted the chosen shape into the document.
Method 2 of 6: Adjust the size, shape, or location of an Autoshape
Step 1. Once the Autoshape is inserted, change its size
Click and drag on any corner of the Autoshape to make it smaller or larger. You have adjusted the size of the Autoshape.
Step 2. Once the Autoshape is inserted, it changes its shape
To change to a different AutoShape, select the object, click on the formatting tab on the menu bar and click on the "Edit Shape" button located in the "Insert Shapes" menu within the formats toolbar. From the drop-down menu, select "Change Shape" to open the AutoShapes menu, and select an alternative shape from the options menu. You have chosen a new Autoshape.
Step 3. Move the Autoshape to a different location in the document
Click and drag the Autoshape anywhere inside the object's border to move it to a different location in the document. You have moved the AutoShape around.
Method 3 of 6: Choose a fill color and style for the AutoShape
Step 1. Select a fill color for the object
Click on the "Shape Fill" button to fill the object with a solid color. The theme's color palette will open. Select a color from the theme's color palette or select the "More fill options" option from the drop-down menu to create a custom color. The "Colors" window will open.
Click and drag the crosshair on the right to adjust the tone of the custom color. Move the slider bar on the right side of the dialog box up and down to adjust the brightness level of the custom color. Press "OK" to close the "Colors" window. You have selected a fill color for the Autoshape
Step 2. Select a style for the object
Make sure the object is selected and click on the format tab in the menu bar. Take note of the options available in the "Shape Styles" menu located on the formats toolbar. To open the "Fill Themes" menu, click the down arrow in the "Shape Styles" menu.
Choose a style from the menu options. You have chosen a predefined style for the Autoshape
Method 4 of 6: Format the Outline of an AutoShape
Step 1. Adjust the outline style of the object
Make sure the object is selected and click on the format tab in the menu bar. Click on the "Shape Outline" button located in the "Shape Styles" menu within the formatting toolbar. Within the drop-down menu, select the option "More lines". The "Shape Format" window will open.
Set the compound type, dash type, cap type or outline combination type as desired and click the "OK" button to exit the window. You have chosen an outline for the Autoshape
Step 2. Adjust the width of the object outline
Make sure the object is selected and click on the format tab in the menu bar. Click the "Shape Outline" button located in the "Shape Styles" menu within the formatting toolbar. Change the thickness of the outline by selecting the "Thickness" option from the "Shape Outline" drop-down menu. The "Line Weight" submenu will open.
Choose a thickness from the available options or select the "More lines" option from the secondary drop-down menu. You have selected the thickness of the outline
Step 3. Adjust the outline color of the object
Make sure the object is selected and click on the format tab in the menu bar. Click the "Shape Outline" button located in the "Shape Styles" menu within the formatting toolbar.
Select a color from the color palette that appears in the drop-down menu or click the "More Colors" option to open the "Colors" window and create a custom color. You have chosen a color for the AutoShape outline
Method 5 of 6: Add Effects to an Autoshape
Step 1. Apply predesigned effects to the object
Make sure the object is selected and click the "Effects" button located in the "Illustrations" menu on the formatting toolbar. Take note of the different predesigned effects that are visible in the drop-down menu. Open sub-menus for each category of predesigned effects by moving the mouse pointer over the title of each category.
Browse through the options for each category and click on an effect to apply it to the AutoShape. Change the selected effect by clicking a different effect option above one of the effect categories. You have selected a predesigned effect
Method 6 of 6: Drop text to an AutoShape
Step 1. Add text to the object
Right-click on the Autoshape and select the "Add Text" option from the drop-down menu. A cursor will appear in the center of the object. Write the text you want and hit enter. To change the format of the text, select the text and choose one of the text formatting options available on the "Home" tab.