Sign in with Microsoft
Sign in or create an account.
Hello,
Select a different account.
You have multiple accounts
Choose the account you want to sign in with.

Note: This article has done its job, and will be retiring soon. To prevent "Page not found" woes, we're removing links we know about. If you've created links to this page, please remove them, and together we'll keep the web connected.

A SmartArt graphic is a visual representation of your information and ideas. You can create SmartArt graphics by choosing from among many layouts to quickly, easily, and effectively communicate your message. SmartArt graphics, especially combined with other features such as themes, help you create designer-quality illustrations with only a few clicks of your mouse. You can create a SmartArt graphic in Excel for Mac, PowerPoint for Mac, and Word for Mac.

You can change the look of your SmartArt graphic by changing the fill of its shape or text; by adding effects, such as shadows, reflections, glows, or soft edges; or by adding three-dimensional (3-D) effects, such as bevels or rotations.

Which Office program are you using?

Word

A SmartArt graphic provides a visual representation of information so that you can more effectively communicate your message. Each graphic represents a different concept or idea, such as a process flow, an organization hierarchy, a relationship, and so on.

Insert a SmartArt graphic and add text

  1. On the Insert tab, click SmartArt, click a SmartArt graphic type (such as Relationship), and then click the one that you want to add.

  2. In the SmartArt Text pane, type the text that you want to include in your SmartArt graphic.

    When you are finished, close the SmartArt Text pane.

    Tip: You can add text directly in a SmartArt graphic shape by clicking [TEXT] in the shape, and then typing the text that you want.

    If you can't see the text pane

    • Click the SmartArt graphic.

    • On the left side of the SmartArt graphic, click the arrow.

Add, delete, or move shapes

  1. Click the whole SmartArt graphic or individual shape that you want to change.

  2. Do any of the following:

To

Do this

Add a shape

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Add Shape.

Delete a shape

In the Text Pane, click Text Pane Remove button.

Move a shape up

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Move Up.

Move a shape down

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Move Down.

Lower the level of a shape

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Demote.

Raise the level of a shape

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Promote.

If you can't see the text pane

  1. Click the SmartArt graphic.

  2. On the left side of the SmartArt graphic, click the arrow.

Change the style of the SmartArt graphic

If you applied a theme to your presentation, the SmartArt graphic styles available for you to choose from coordinate with the theme and theme colors.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt Design tab, click the style you want.

    SmartArt tab, SmartArt Graphic Styles group

    To see more styles, point to a style, and then click .

Change the color of a SmartArt graphic

If you applied a theme to your presentation, the SmartArt graphic colors available for you to choose from coordinate with the theme colors.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt Design tab, click Change Colors, and then click the color theme that you want.

    SmartArt tab, SmartArt Graphic Styles group

Change the orientation of a SmartArt graphic

You can change the orientation of certain SmartArt graphic types from left to right or right to left.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt Design tab, click Right to Left.

    SmartArt tab, Edit SmartArt group

    Note: You cannot change the orientation of some SmartArt graphics.

Reset the SmartArt graphic to remove formatting

You can reset the SmartArt graphic to the default appearance. This removes changes that you have made to the color, style, shape, and text style of a SmartArt graphic.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt Design tab, click Reset Graphic.

PowerPoint

A SmartArt graphic provides a visual representation of information so that you can more effectively communicate your message. Each graphic represents a different concept or idea, such as a process flow, an organization hierarchy, a relationship, and so on.

Insert a SmartArt graphic and add text

  1. On the Insert tab, click SmartArt, click a SmartArt graphic type (such as Relationship), and then click the one that you want to add.

  2. In the SmartArt Text pane, type the text that you want to include in your SmartArt graphic.

    When you are finished, close the SmartArt Text pane.

    Tip: You can add text directly in a SmartArt graphic shape by clicking [TEXT] in the shape, and then typing the text that you want.

    If you can't see the text pane

    • Click the SmartArt graphic.

    • On the left side of the SmartArt graphic, click the arrow.

Add, delete, or move shapes

  1. Click the whole SmartArt graphic or individual shape that you want to change.

  2. Do any of the following:

To

Do this

Add a shape

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Add Shape.

Delete a shape

In the Text Pane, click Text Pane Remove button.

Move a shape up

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Move Up.

Move a shape down

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Move Down.

Lower the level of a shape

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Demote.

Raise the level of a shape

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Promote.

If you can't see the text pane

  1. Click the SmartArt graphic.

  2. On the left side of the SmartArt graphic, click the arrow.

Change the style of the SmartArt graphic

If you applied a theme to your presentation, the SmartArt graphic styles available for you to choose from coordinate with the theme and theme colors.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt Design tab, click the style you want.

    SmartArt tab, SmartArt Graphic Styles group

    To see more styles, point to a style, and then click .

Change the color of a SmartArt graphic

If you applied a theme to your presentation, the SmartArt graphic colors available for you to choose from coordinate with the theme colors.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt Design tab, click Change Colors, and then click the color theme that you want.

    SmartArt tab, SmartArt Graphic Styles group

Change the orientation of a SmartArt graphic

You can change the orientation of certain SmartArt graphic types from left to right or right to left.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt Design tab, click Right to Left.

    SmartArt tab, Edit SmartArt group

    Note: You cannot change the orientation of some SmartArt graphics.

Reset the SmartArt graphic to remove formatting

You can reset the SmartArt graphic to the default appearance. This removes changes that you have made to the color, style, shape, and text style of a SmartArt graphic.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt Design tab, click Reset Graphic.

See also

Add shapes

Excel

A SmartArt graphic provides a visual representation of information so that you can more effectively communicate your message. Each graphic represents a different concept or idea, such as a process flow, an organization hierarchy, a relationship, and so on.

Insert a SmartArt graphic and add text

  1. On the Insert tab, click SmartArt, click a SmartArt graphic type (such as Relationship), and then click the one that you want to add.

  2. In the SmartArt Text pane, type the text that you want to include in your SmartArt graphic.

    When you are finished, close the SmartArt Text pane.

    Tip: You can add text directly in a SmartArt graphic shape by clicking [TEXT] in the shape, and then typing the text that you want.

    If you can't see the text pane

    • Click the SmartArt graphic.

    • On the left side of the SmartArt graphic, click the arrow.

Add, delete, or move shapes

  1. Click the whole SmartArt graphic or individual shape that you want to change.

  2. Do any of the following:

To

Do this

Add a shape

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Add Shape.

Delete a shape

In the Text Pane, click Text Pane Remove button.

Move a shape up

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Move Up.

Move a shape down

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Move Down.

Lower the level of a shape

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Demote.

Raise the level of a shape

On the SmartArt Design tab, click Promote.

If you can't see the text pane

  1. Click the SmartArt graphic.

  2. On the left side of the SmartArt graphic, click the arrow.

Change the style of the SmartArt graphic

If you applied a theme to your presentation, the SmartArt graphic styles available for you to choose from coordinate with the theme and theme colors.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt Design tab, click the style you want.

    SmartArt tab, SmartArt Graphic Styles group

    To see more styles, point to a style, and then click .

Change the color of a SmartArt graphic

If you applied a theme to your presentation, the SmartArt graphic colors available for you to choose from coordinate with the theme colors.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt Design tab, click Change Colors, and then click the color theme that you want.

    SmartArt tab, SmartArt Graphic Styles group

Change the orientation of a SmartArt graphic

You can change the orientation of certain SmartArt graphic types from left to right or right to left.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt Design tab, click Right to Left.

    SmartArt tab, Edit SmartArt group

    Note: You cannot change the orientation of some SmartArt graphics.

Reset the SmartArt graphic to remove formatting

You can reset the SmartArt graphic to the default appearance. This removes changes that you have made to the color, style, shape, and text style of a SmartArt graphic.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt Design tab, click Reset Graphic.

See also

Add shapes

Which Office program are you using?

Word

A SmartArt graphic provides a visual representation of information so that you can more effectively communicate your message. Each graphic represents a different concept or idea, such as a process flow, an organization hierarchy, a relationship, and so on.

Do any of the following:

Insert a SmartArt graphic and add text

  1. On the SmartArt tab, under Insert SmartArt Graphic, click a SmartArt graphic type, and then click the one that you want to add.

  2. In the Text Pane, type the text that you want to include in your SmartArt graphic.

    When you are finished, click the X to close the Text Pane.

    Tip: You can add text directly in a SmartArt graphic shape by clicking [TEXT] in the shape, and then typing the text that you want.

    If you can't see the text pane

    1. Click the SmartArt graphic.

    2. On the left side of the SmartArt graphic, click Text Pane.

Add, delete, or move shapes

  1. Click the whole SmartArt graphic or individual shape that you want to change.

  2. Do any of the following:

To

Do this

Add a shape

In the Text Pane, click .

Delete a shape

In the Text Pane, click Text Pane Remove button.

Move a shape up

In the Text Pane, click .

Move a shape down

In the Text Pane, click .

Lower the level of a shape

In the Text Pane, click Demote button.

Raise the level of a shape

In the Text Pane, click .

If you can't see the text pane

  1. Click the SmartArt graphic.

  2. On the left side of the SmartArt graphic, click Text Pane.

Change the style of the SmartArt graphic

If you applied a theme to your presentation, the SmartArt graphic styles available for you to choose from coordinate with the theme and theme colors.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt tab, under SmartArt Graphic Styles, click the style that you want.

    SmartArt tab, SmartArt Graphic Styles group

    To see more styles, point to a style, and then click .

Change the color of a SmartArt graphic

If you applied a theme to your presentation, the SmartArt graphic colors available for you to choose from coordinate with the theme colors.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt tab, under SmartArt Graphic Styles, click Colors, and then click the color theme that you want.

    SmartArt tab, SmartArt Graphic Styles group

Change the orientation of a SmartArt graphic

You can change the orientation of a SmartArt graphic from left to right or right to left.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt tab, under Edit SmartArt, click Right to Left.

    SmartArt tab, Edit SmartArt group

    Note: You cannot change the orientation of some SmartArt graphics.

Reset the SmartArt graphic to remove formatting

You can reset the SmartArt graphic to the default appearance. This removes changes that you have made to the color, style, shape, and text style of a SmartArt graphic.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt tab, under Reset, click Reset Graphic.

PowerPoint

A SmartArt graphic provides a visual representation of information so that you can more effectively communicate your message. Each graphic represents a different concept or idea, such as a process flow, an organization hierarchy, a relationship, and so on.

Do any of the following:

Insert a SmartArt graphic and add text

  1. On the SmartArt tab, under Insert SmartArt Graphic, click a SmartArt graphic type, and then click the one that you want to add.

  2. In the Text Pane, type the text that you want to include in your SmartArt graphic.

    When you are finished, click the X to close the Text Pane.

    Tip: You can add text directly in a SmartArt graphic shape by clicking [TEXT] in the shape, and then typing the text that you want.

    If you can't see the text pane

    1. Click the SmartArt graphic.

    2. On the left side of the SmartArt graphic, click Text Pane.

Add, delete, or move shapes

  1. Click the whole SmartArt graphic or individual shape that you want to change.

  2. Do any of the following:

To

Do this

Add a shape

In the Text Pane, click .

Delete a shape

In the Text Pane, click Text Pane Remove button.

Move a shape up

In the Text Pane, click .

Move a shape down

In the Text Pane, click .

Lower the level of a shape

In the Text Pane, click Demote button.

Raise the level of a shape

In the Text Pane, click .

If you can't see the text pane

  1. Click the SmartArt graphic.

  2. On the left side of the SmartArt graphic, click Text Pane.

Change the style of the SmartArt graphic

If you applied a theme to your presentation, the SmartArt graphic styles available for you to choose from coordinate with the theme and theme colors.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt tab, under SmartArt Graphic Styles, click the style that you want.

    SmartArt tab, SmartArt Graphic Styles group

    To see more styles, point to a style, and then click .

Change the color of a SmartArt graphic

If you applied a theme to your presentation, the SmartArt graphic colors available for you to choose from coordinate with the theme colors.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt tab, under SmartArt Graphic Styles, click Colors, and then click the color theme that you want.

    SmartArt tab, SmartArt Graphic Styles group

Change the orientation of a SmartArt graphic

You can change the orientation of a SmartArt graphic from left to right or right to left.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt tab, under Edit SmartArt, click Right to Left.

    SmartArt tab, Edit SmartArt group

    Note: You cannot change the orientation of some SmartArt graphics.

Reset the SmartArt graphic to remove formatting

You can reset the SmartArt graphic to the default appearance. This removes changes that you have made to the color, style, shape, and text style of a SmartArt graphic.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt tab, under Reset, click Reset Graphic.

Using SmartArt graphics in older versions of PowerPoint for macOS

SmartArt graphics created in PowerPoint 2016 for Mac isn't compatible with versions of PowerPoint for macOS that came out prior to PowerPoint for Mac 2011. If you try to save a presentation that contains SmartArt as a .ppt file (which is compatible with PowerPoint 97-2003), the SmartArt graphic is converted to a picture. If you apply formatting to the picture while editing the presentation in PowerPoint 2004 or earlier, then the picture won't be able to revert back to an editable shape in versions newer than PowerPoint 2008.

See also

Add shapes

Convert text to a SmartArt graphic and vice versa

Excel

A SmartArt graphic provides a visual representation of information so that you can more effectively communicate your message. Each graphic represents a different concept or idea, such as a process flow, an organization hierarchy, a relationship, and so on.

Do any of the following:

Insert a SmartArt graphic and add text

  1. On the SmartArt tab, under Insert SmartArt Graphic, click a SmartArt graphic type, and then click the one that you want to add.

  2. In the Text Pane, type the text that you want to include in your SmartArt graphic.

    When you are finished, click the X to close the Text Pane.

    Tip: You can add text directly in a SmartArt graphic shape by clicking [TEXT] in the shape, and then typing the text that you want.

    If you can't see the text pane

    1. Click the SmartArt graphic.

    2. On the left side of the SmartArt graphic, click Text Pane.

Add, delete, or move shapes

  1. Click the whole SmartArt graphic or individual shape that you want to change.

  2. Do any of the following:

To

Do this

Add a shape

In the Text Pane, click .

Delete a shape

In the Text Pane, click Text Pane Remove button.

Move a shape up

In the Text Pane, click .

Move a shape down

In the Text Pane, click .

Lower the level of a shape

In the Text Pane, click Demote button.

Raise the level of a shape

In the Text Pane, click .

If you can't see the text pane

  1. Click the SmartArt graphic.

  2. On the left side of the SmartArt graphic, click Text Pane.

Change the style of the SmartArt graphic

If you applied a theme to your presentation, the SmartArt graphic styles available for you to choose from coordinate with the theme and theme colors.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt tab, under SmartArt Graphic Styles, click the style that you want.

    SmartArt tab, SmartArt Graphic Styles group

    To see more styles, point to a style, and then click .

Change the color of a SmartArt graphic

If you applied a theme to your presentation, the SmartArt graphic colors available for you to choose from coordinate with the theme colors.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt tab, under SmartArt Graphic Styles, click Colors, and then click the color theme that you want.

    SmartArt tab, SmartArt Graphic Styles group

Change the orientation of a SmartArt graphic

You can change the orientation of a SmartArt graphic from left to right or right to left.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt tab, under Edit SmartArt, click Right to Left.

    SmartArt tab, Edit SmartArt group

    Note: You cannot change the orientation of some SmartArt graphics.

Reset the SmartArt graphic to remove formatting

You can reset the SmartArt graphic to the default appearance. This removes changes that you have made to the color, style, shape, and text style of a SmartArt graphic.

  1. In the document, click the SmartArt graphic that you want to change.

  2. On the SmartArt tab, under Reset, click Reset Graphic.

    Excel SmartArt tab, Reset group

See also

Add shapes

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Was this information helpful?

What affected your experience?
By pressing submit, your feedback will be used to improve Microsoft products and services. Your IT admin will be able to collect this data. Privacy Statement.

Thank you for your feedback!

×