Excel Shapes

You can add shapes to your spreadsheet to spark a little visual interest. By using the Shapes menu, you can choose from dozens of different types of shapes.

Insert a Shape

1. Click the Insert tab.
2. Click the Shapes button.

   The Shapes menu displays all the types of shapes available, organized into groups.

3. Select a shape to insert.
   

   Now the cursor changes to a cross hair and is ready to draw on the sheet.

4. Insert the shape in one of two ways:
   • Click anywhere on the page to insert the shape there.
   • Click and drag anywhere on the page to place the shape while also controlling its size.
   

Some shapes have prominent features that can be adjusted; these shapes will have a yellow adjustment handle.

Format a Shape

Once you’ve added a shape, you can use the Format tab to change its style, fill, outline color, and effects.

1. Select a shape.

   When you select a shape, the Format tab in the Drawing Tools ribbon group becomes available. Double-click a shape to automatically switch to the Format tab.

2. Use the Shape Style options on the Format tab to change the style, fill color, outline, or shape effects.
   • Select a style from the Shape Styles gallery, or click the gallery’s More button to see all available styles.
   • Select a shape fill color, weight, or dash pattern.
   • Select a shape outline color to change the color of the selected shape. You can also fill it with a gradient, picture, or texture pattern.
   • Apply various shape effects such as shadow, reflection, glow, bevel, and 3D rotation.
   

You can first apply a style from the gallery, and then adjust the fill, outline, and effects to customize it.