Add an AutoShape

To give your Word document pizzazz, you can add shapes such as lines, arrows, stars, and banners — called AutoShapes — to your document.

AutoShapes are visible only in Print Layout, Web Layout, and Reading Layout views.

1. Right-click any toolbar.

2. Click Drawing.

   The Drawing toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen.

   

3. Click AutoShapes.

4. Click the type of AutoShape you want to add to your document.

5. Click a shape.

   

   Word adds a drawing canvas to your document where you can add, move, and size graphics.

6. Position the mouse () at the upper left corner of the place where you want the AutoShape to appear.

7. Drag the mouse down and to the right until the AutoShape is the size you want.

   

   When you release the mouse button, the AutoShape appears.

   The handles () surrounding the AutoShape indicate that the AutoShape is selected.

   You can use these handles to move or resize the AutoShape.

   Note 

   See the section “Move or Resize a Graphic” for details.

   You can press to hide the drawing canvas.

   

How do I delete an AutoShape?

To delete the shape entirely, you must delete the drawing canvas. To do this, you simply click outside the AutoShape, but inside the drawing canvas. Handles surrounding the AutoShape disappear, but the edge of the drawing canvas remains visible. You can then press to delete the AutoShape and the drawing canvas. If you press while the handles appear around the AutoShape, Word deletes the AutoShape but leaves the drawing canvas. You can then place a different AutoShape on the drawing canvas using steps 3 to 7.