Get Started With SmartArt in PowerPoint

Discover how to use SmartArt to create great looking charts, diagrams, process maps, and graphic visualizations inside of Microsoft PowerPoint quickly.

What is SmartArt in PowerPoint?

Building a presentation is a time-limited exercise. The last thing you’ve got time for is drawing your own illustrations in a slideshow. This is where PowerPoint SmartArt comes into play.

Think of SmartArt as a time-saving graphic tool built into PowerPoint, which allows you to choose among various ready-made layouts and preset styles to help you visualize your ideas. SmartArt includes ready-to-use charts, diagrams, process maps, and more.

In this tutorial, I want to teach you how to use SmartArt in PowerPoint. With it, we can add flexible and great-looking illustrations to our slideshows quickly.

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Quick-Start Video on Using SmartArt in PowerPoint

If you want to learn more about how to use SmartArt in Microsoft PowerPoint, check out the quick screencast below. You’ll see examples of how to use SmartArt for graphics that you can always update and tweak.

Keep reading for a written step-by-step tutorial on how to use SmartArt in PowerPoint, along with some ideas on how to leverage it to quickly visualize information in your presentation.

Making Your First SmartArt Graphic in PowerPoint

Let’s get started building a SmartArt PowerPoint design. Your best bet is to use a premium template from Envato Elements. With thousands of designs to choose from, you’re sure to find a slide deck that works perfectly for you.

For this tutorial, I’ll be working with the beautiful CLEAN PowerPoint template from Envato Elements, which includes over fifty unique custom slide designs. Download it today to follow along!

Inserting Your First PowerPoint SmartArt

To add your first piece of SmartArt, go to the Insert menu on the PowerPoint ribbon. Find the SmartArt menu option and click on it to launch the SmartArt menu.

The next menu that pops up allows you to choose what type of SmartArt to add to your presentation. It’s a list of SmartArt graphic PowerPoint templates that can be used as a starting point.

You’ll notice that the app has a variety of SmartArt graphic PowerPoint designs. On the left side, you can choose from styles such as “List”, “Process”, “Cycle.” Choose one of these categories based on the content that you’re working with.

Once you’ve selected a SmartArt type, click on OK to insert it into your presentation.

Adding Meaningful Content to Your SmartArt

Now that you’ve added SmartArt to your presentation, it’s time to populate it with meaningful content. When SmartArt is added, a context menu opens up to the left of your data.

This menu is labeled “Type your text here.” Here, you can type over the bullet points to add text to the SmartArt. As you add that text, the SmartArt automatically updates to reflect your input.

Another way to modify your SmartArt is to double-click on an individual object and type directly into it.

Modifying SmartArt Elements

If you wish to add more objects to the SmartArt, you can do it in two ways. The first is to find the Add Shape option on the far left side of the Ribbon when you’ve selected SmartArt Design.

Additionally, while in the context menu, you can simply press return on your keyboard to add a new bullet point, which will create a new object in your presentation. If you have too many objects, simply click on one and press delete to remove it.

You can also reposition elements by clicking and dragging within the SmartArt.

Changing SmartArt Layouts

If you realize you chose the wrong layout while creating your SmartArt, you can easily change it without losing your content. With a SmartArt object selected, find the Layouts section of the SmartArt Design tab. Click on a new layout, and PowerPoint will convert your content to the new selection.

Styling Your SmartArt

If you’re not satisfied with the default style of your SmartArt, simply select it and click on the SmartArt Design tab on the ribbon. In the SmartArt Styles section, you can choose from various preset styles.

Additionally, you can change the colors used in your SmartArt presentation by clicking on Change Colors in the drop-down menu.

Important Types of SmartArt and Their Best Uses

PowerPoint offers a variety of SmartArt designs to cater to different types of data presentations. Here are some of the main types:

1. List

Ideal for simple bulleted lists, the SmartArt list style upgrades your data to a more visually appealing format.

2. Process

Use Process SmartArt styles to map out how a process should work step by step, making it great for team documentation.

3. Cycle

Cycle charts are used for continuous processes that recur over time, perfect for ongoing business operations.

4. Hierarchy

Hierarchies illustrate organizational structures or the components of a larger whole, such as an organizational chart.

5. Relationship

This SmartArt type is designed to show how individual parts relate to one another, useful for balance charts and funnels.

6. Matrix

Matrix charts are used to split one object into equal parts, providing a clear visual representation of components.

7. Pyramid

Pyramids demonstrate how parts fit together in a structured format, combining elements of both process and hierarchy.

8. Picture

The Picture category makes it easy to incorporate images alongside your SmartArt, adding a visual flair to your presentations.

Best PowerPoint SmartArt Templates

Choosing a premium SmartArt PowerPoint template can greatly enhance your presentations. Here are five trending options from Envato Elements:

1. Ever PowerPoint Template - Offers 250 slide layouts with animated objects and icons.
2. Leaf - Multipurpose PowerPoint Presentation - Features 150 unique slides with custom infographics.
3. Sparta PowerPoint Template - Includes drag-and-drop image placeholders for easy customization.
4. Furi - Business PowerPoint Template - Flexible with 39 resizable slides and content placeholders.
5. Dalton PowerPoint Presentation - A modern template with fully editable graphics and sleek designs.

Conclusion

SmartArt in PowerPoint is a powerful tool that allows you to create visually engaging presentations without the need for external applications. As you learn to use SmartArt, you’ll find it invaluable for crafting quick and attractive visualizations. Embrace its flexibility and discover how it can elevate your presentations.