Using Custom Shapes in PowerPoint 2010

Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 has some cool custom shapes functions that are not visible in the ribbon by default but can be added.

To add or customize the ribbon go to “File > Options”. In the pop-up window on the left choose “Customize Ribbon”.

Then you must create a custom group to add the new functions to. On the bottom right side click on “New Group” while having the “Home” selected in the “Main Tabs” window. A new group will be added. You can rename it if you like.

In the middle drop down menu choose “Commands Not in Ribbon”. Then scroll down and find “Shape Combine”, “Shape Intersect”, “Shape Subtract” and “Shape Union”. Select each one of them and click “Add>>”. Click “OK”.

You should now have a new group in the Ribbon under the Home tab.

Let us now look at what each of those do. All of these 4 functions do something to 2 or more shapes so we need to have at least 2 shapes drawn on the slide. We will use the same 2 shapes to test each of the 4 functions; a square and a circle. The shape that is on top (most forward) will be secondary shape. I will show the function selected in the ribbon above each result below.

1. Shape Combine

2. Shape Intersect

3. Shape Subtract

4 Shape Union

Let me know about any cool shapes you come up with.