Merge Shapes in PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is a great tool to build slide decks. With it, you can share text, images, and multimedia of all kinds. This can include custom shapes, which PowerPoint lets you draw with ease. It can be useful to merge shapes in PowerPoint, too.

Here, you can combine multiple shapes that you’ve drawn into a single one. This way, you can create stunning shapes that are truly one-of-a-kind. These help you capture the attention of your audience in a new, fun way. 

In this tutorial, you’ll learn the steps for merging shapes in PowerPoint. We’ll look at how to combine shapes effectively and walk through the process step-by-step.

Why Use PowerPoint Merge Shapes?

PowerPoint’s Merge Shapes feature is a powerful tool that can enhance your presentations. But why would you want to merge shapes in PowerPoint? Here are some key advantages:

• Creative Control: Merging shapes allows you to create unique designs, giving you the ability to craft effects that stand out.
• Unforgettable Designs: Audiences appreciate visually appealing slides. By mastering shape merging, you can create memorable geometric layouts.
• Added Emphasis: Merge shapes draw attention. Use them strategically to guide your audience’s focus to important information on your slides.

As you can see, learning how to use PowerPoint’s merge shapes feature is valuable for any presenter. Let’s dive into the process of merging shapes in PowerPoint quickly and easily. 

How to Combine Shapes in PowerPoint

To practice merging shapes, we’ll use a pre-built design from a premium PowerPoint template. Envato Elements offers thousands of templates, and we will work with the beautiful Calista PowerPoint Template. You can download it today to follow along with our tutorial.

With the template downloaded and opened in PowerPoint, let’s get started.

1. Add Shapes to a Slide

Select a slide from your template that you’d like to work with. The flexibility of PowerPoint’s Merge Shapes tool allows you to add shapes to any slide within your deck.

In this example, we will choose slide #2, which has an attractive layout and plenty of open space. We will add our own shapes and then combine them to create a unique design.

To add the first shape, go to the Insert tab located on the ribbon at the top of your screen. Click Insert, then find the Shapes dropdown arrow in the Illustrations group.

In the gallery that opens, you’ll see a variety of shape options categorized under Lines, Rectangles, Basic Shapes, and more. These shapes will work with our merging techniques.

For dramatic effects, consider using shapes like Block Arrows or Basic Shapes. In our example, we will draw an Oval, which is the second option in the Basic Shapes group. Click on the Oval shape once to select it.

When you do, your cursor will change to a crosshair, indicating that the shape is activated. Click and hold down the mouse button on an open spot on the slide to draw the oval shape to your desired size and release the mouse button to lock it in place.

Now that you’ve added your first shape, you will want to add at least one more shape for merging. You can do this by either going back to Insert > Shapes and drawing new shapes or by copying and pasting the existing shape you created. Select the shape, then press Command + C on Mac (or Control + C on Windows) to copy. Use Command/Control + V to paste it, then move it to the desired location.

For optimal merging results, ensure that the shapes overlap. This overlapping is essential for creating the dramatic styles you’re aiming for with the merge shape effects.

2. Set the Overall Style

With your shape selected, you can customize its appearance using the Shape Format tab. Here, you can change the Shape Fill color. For our example, let’s apply a red gradient effect, which adds depth and dimension to the shape. You can also add Shape Effects or a Shape Outline.

Keep in mind that when you merge shapes, the final shape will have only one set of formatting. If you have four shapes and want them all to be red, you need to set just one of them to red before merging, as the formatting of the other shapes will be overwritten.

3. Merge Shapes Together

Now it’s time to merge the shapes. Start by selecting the shape that has the desired formatting. In our case, this is the red circle we just edited. Hold down the Shift key, then click on each of the other shapes to select them.

With your shapes selected, navigate to the Shape Format tab again. In the Insert Shapes group, find the Merge Shapes dropdown. Click on it to explore the available options.

4. Explore and Choose Merge Effects

PowerPoint provides five ways to merge shapes, all accessible from the Merge Shapes menu. Hover over each option to preview the effect on your selected shapes. The available options are:

• Union: Combines the selected shapes to form a single shape, merging any overlapping areas.
• Combine: Merges selected shapes into one, removing overlapping parts and revealing the slide beneath.
• Fragment: Creates new shapes from the selected shapes, including their overlapping areas.
• Intersect: Retains only the overlapping areas of the selected shapes while removing the rest.
• Subtract: Keeps only the original shape and deletes any overlapping parts from other shapes.

Experiment with these options. For instance, if you choose Combine, it will merge the circles but remove the areas where they overlap, creating a unique design effect.

Remember to explore your options as each set of shapes will yield different results. The creative possibilities are endless! You can edit your merged shapes just like any other shape—moving them around, adding formatting, and more. It’s incredibly user-friendly. Give it a try today.

The Top Source for PowerPoint Merge Shapes Templates (With Unlimited Downloads)

Envato Elements is your go-to source for premium merge shape PowerPoint templates in 2023. With thousands of top-quality designs available, finding the perfect template for your project has never been easier. Plus, with unlimited downloads for a flat monthly fee, you can access a multitude of premium templates designed for combining shapes.

By choosing an Envato Elements template, you’ll enjoy:

• Designer-quality layouts: Templates are crafted by creative experts, offering sleek designs with unique features.
• Inspiring features: Need help deciding how to present your content? Our templates provide guidance—simply fill in the blanks with your own multimedia.
• Time savings: Save hours by using a premium template instead of starting from scratch. Drop your content into a well-designed framework with ease.

These templates will elevate your merging techniques to the next level. Envato Elements is the best value for creatives in 2023 and beyond. Join today and start exploring an extensive library of digital content!

Learn More Microsoft PowerPoint Techniques

You’ve just learned how to merge shapes in PowerPoint. While individual shapes are impressive, combining them opens up a world of creative possibilities. Use the merging techniques you learned to enhance your presentations.

Don’t stop here! Expand your PowerPoint skills further with our resource, How to Use PowerPoint (Ultimate Tutorial Guide) . Here are some additional tutorials to consider:

• How to Make Business Proposal Presentations in PowerPoint (+ Video)
• How to Make a Circle Picture in PowerPoint & Other Picture Shapes
• What Are the Best Fonts to Use in PowerPoint PPT Presentations? (Complete 2023 Guide)

Merge Shapes in PowerPoint Today

In this tutorial, you learned how to merge shapes in PowerPoint, a valuable skill that can make your presentations stand out. Merging shapes allows you to inspire your audience and create engaging visual effects with ease.

What are you waiting for? Start exploring the limitless possibilities of merging shapes in PowerPoint. Any two (or more) overlapping shapes can be transformed into a unique design. Utilize this powerful feature in your next presentation to create inspiring and captivating slides!