Microsoft PowerPoint 2007

Working with SmartArt

Adding SmartArt to your slide show can enhance its effect on your audience. SmartArt graphics group related information and make it easier to explain through visual cues. SmartArt graphics are easily animated, and have dynamic animation options built in corresponding to the shape you are using.

Inserting SmartArt
Moving SmartArt
Resizing SmartArt
Customizing SmartArt in the Canvas

Inserting SmartArt

You can create SmartArt in the Normal view. To create and insert SmartArt, use the following steps:

From the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click SMARTART
The Choose a SmartArt Graphic dialog box appears.
From the category list, select All
OR
From the category list, select a category of SmartArt
From the gallery, select a SmartArt graphic
NOTES:
The display pane at the right contains explanations of the currently selected SmartArt graphic.
For more information about SmartArt and the selection process, refer to Working with SmartArt: An Overview.
Click OK
The graphic appears on the slide.
The SmartArt canvas appears.

Adding Text to SmartArt Using the Text Pane

The SmartArt canvas also provides a text pane that organizes all of your SmartArt graphic's text for you, and allows for easy text editing without the worry of accidentally altering your graphic.

Considerations

Depending on the graphic, pressing [Enter], [Delete], and [Tab] in the text pane affect the shapes in the graphic differently. Depending on the text you have selected, or where you place your cursor, these keys will alter the presentation in the following ways:

[Enter] almost always adds text and a corresponding object at the same level as the currently selected text/object
[Tab] almost always subordinates the currently selected text and corresponding object
[Delete] almost always deletes the currently selected text and corresponding object

To add text to your SmartArt graphic

If the Text pane is not visible, click the flyout button on the border of the SmartArt canvas
The Text pane appears.
From the text pane, select a text box and type the desired text
NOTE: The text will fill in the corresponding spot in the canvas.
To close the text pane, click the X in the upper right corner of the pane

Adding Images to SmartArt

Some of the SmartArt graphics are designed to hold pictures as well as text. Use the steps below to insert images into your SmartArt graphic. When you use the pre-designed SmartArt graphics for use with pictures, you will be adding existing images. To add an image from the Internet, you will need to save it to your computer or a disk first. For more information on capturing images, refer to Capturing Images, Sounds, and Movies.

On the SmartArt canvas, in the desired image area, click the Insert Picture button
The Insert Picture dialog box appears.
From the Look in pull-down list, locate and select the desired image
Click INSERT
Your picture is inserted.

Moving SmartArt

After inserting a SmartArt graphic, you may wish to move the graphic on your slide. Follow these steps to position your graphic within your presentation.

Select the SmartArt graphic you want to move
The SmartArt canvas appears.
Position the mouse over the border of the SmartArt canvas
The cursor becomes a four-sided arrow.
Click and drag the graphic to the desired location
Release the mouse button
The SmartArt graphic is moved.

Resizing SmartArt

You may wish to manipulate the dimensions of your SmartArt graphic after positioning it on your slide. You can resize the entire graphic as a whole, and you can also resize individual pieces inside the canvas. These steps will help you in resizing your SmartArt.

Resizing SmartArt: Mouse Option

Select the SmartArt graphic you want to resize
The SmartArt canvas appears.
Move your pointer over one of the handles on the border of the canvas
NOTE: Your cursor turns into a double arrow when it is in the correct place.
Click and drag the canvas until it is the desired size
Release the mouse button
The graphic has been resized.

Resizing SmartArt: Ribbon Option

Select the SmartArt graphic you want to resize
The SmartArt canvas appears.
To select the desired height, from the Format tab, in the Size group, in the Shape Height text box, type the desired height
To select the desired width, from the Format tab, in the Size group, in the Shape Width text box, type the desired width

Customizing SmartArt in the Canvas

SmartArt graphics can be customized just like ordinary text and shapes in PowerPoint, with some added features. When working with SmartArt, the shapes and text are locked inside the SmartArt canvas. This means that the objects and text can only be worked with inside the borders of the canvas. The canvas keeps everything within it visible by dynamically resizing and reshaping as you work. For example, if you resize one shape to be very wide, the other shapes will automatically become thin proportionately in order to remain visible.

Resizing Shapes in the Canvas

Select the SmartArt graphic you want to change
The SmartArt canvas appears.
In the SmartArt canvas, select the object you want to resize
Place your pointer on one of the eight handles surrounding it
NOTE: Your cursor turns into a double arrow when it is in the correct place.
Click and hold the mouse button
Drag the mouse until the object is the desired size
Release the mouse
The object is resized.

Moving Shapes in the Canvas

Select the SmartArt graphic you want to change
The SmartArt canvas appears.
In the SmartArt canvas, select the object you want to move
Place your pointer over the object you wish to move until it becomes a four-sided arrow
Click and hold the mouse button
Drag the object to the desired place
Release the mouse
The object is moved.