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.

Keywords    animate relationship; modify relationship; style relationship; arrange relationship

A relationship graphic shows groups and how they relate to one another. There are many different SmartArt layouts that you can use to show a relationship. For example, you could create a Venn diagram to show similarities and differences between groups. 

This article discusses how to create a relationship graphic. You can use the methods described in this article to create or change any SmartArt graphic. Try different layouts to achieve the results you want.

Funnel layout image

By using a SmartArt graphic in Excel, PowerPoint, or Word, you can create a funnel and include it in your worksheet, e-mail message, presentation, or document.

What do you want to do?

Create a relationship graphic

  1. On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click SmartArt.

    Illustrations group Ribbon Image

  2. In the Choose a SmartArt Graphic gallery, click Relationship, and then double-click the layout that you want.

  3. To enter text in a shape, do one of the following:

    • Click [Text] in the Text pane, and then type your text.

    • Copy text from another location or program, click [Text] in the Text pane, and then paste your text.

      Note: If the Text pane is not visible, click the control.

      text pane control

    • Click in a shape in the SmartArt graphic, and then type your text.

      Note: For best results, use this option after you add all of the shapes that you want.

Top of Page

Add or delete shapes in your relationship graphic

Add a box

  1. Click the SmartArt graphic that you want to add a shape to.

  2. Click the existing shape that is located closest to where you want to add the new shape.

  3. Under SmartArt Tools, on the Design tab, in the Create Graphic group, click the arrow under Add Shape.

    Add a shape

    If you don't see the SmartArt Tools or Design tabs, make sure that you've selected the SmartArt graphic.

  4. Do one of the following:

    • To insert a shape at the same level as the selected shape but following it, click Add Shape After.

    • To insert a shape at the same level as the selected shape but before it, click Add Shape Before.

Delete a shape

To delete a shape, click the border of the shape you want to delete, and then press DELETE.

  • When you need to add a box to your relationship graphic, experiment with adding the shape before or after the selected shape to get the placement you want for the new shape.

  • To add a shape from the Text pane:

    1. At the shape level, place your cursor at the end of the text where you want to add a new shape.

    2. Press ENTER, and then type the text that you want in your new shape.

Top of Page

Move a shape in your relationship graphic

  • To move a shape, click the shape and then drag it to its new location.

  • To move a shape in very small increments, hold down CTRL while you press the arrow keys on your keyboard.

Top of Page

Change the colors of your relationship graphic

To quickly add a designer-quality look and polish to your SmartArt graphic, you can change the colors or apply a SmartArt Style to your relationship graphic. You can also add effects, such as glows, soft edges, or 3-D effects.

You can apply color combinations that are derived from the theme colors to the shapes in your SmartArt graphic, so that when your theme changes, your SmartArt graphic will update its colors as well.

  1. Click the SmartArt graphic whose color you want to change.

  2. Under SmartArt Tools, on the Design tab, in the SmartArt Styles group, click Change Colors.

    If you don't see the SmartArt Tools or Design tabs, make sure that you've selected a SmartArt graphic.

  3. Click the color combination that you want.

Tip: When you place your pointer over a thumbnail, you can see how the colors affect your SmartArt graphic.

Change the line color or style of a shape's border

  1. In the SmartArt graphic, right-click the border of the shape you want to change, and then click Format Shape.

  2. To change the color of the shape's border, click Line Color, click Color Color Picker, and then click the color that you want.

  3. To change the style of the shape's border, click Line Style, and then choose the line styles you want.

Change the background color of a shape in your relationship graphic

  1. Right-click the border of a shape, and then click Format Shape.

  2. Click the Fill pane, and then click Solid fill.

  3. Click Color Color Picker, and then click the color that you want.

  4. To specify how much you can see through the background color, move the Transparency slider, or enter a number in the box next to the slider. You can vary the percentage of transparency from 0% (fully opaque, the default setting) to 100% (fully transparent).

Top of Page

Apply a SmartArt Style to your relationship graphic

A SmartArt Style is a combination of various effects, such as line style, bevel, or 3-D, that you can apply to the shapes in your SmartArt graphic to create a unique and professionally designed look.

  1. Click the SmartArt graphic whose SmartArt Style you want to change.

  2. Under SmartArt Tools, on the Design tab, in the SmartArt Styles group, click the SmartArt Style that you want.

    SmartArt toolbar - Vertical Block List

    To see more SmartArt Styles, click the More button .

    If you don't see the SmartArt Tools or Design tabs, make sure that you've selected a SmartArt graphic.

  • When you place your pointer over a thumbnail, you can see how the SmartArt Style affects your SmartArt graphic.

  • You can also customize your SmartArt graphic by moving shapes, resizing shapes, adding a fill or effect, and adding a picture.

Top of Page

Animate your relationship graphic

If you're using PowerPoint, you can animate your relationship graphic to emphasize each shape.

  1. Click the SmartArt graphic that you want to animate.

  2. On the Animations tab, in the Animations group, click Animate.

  3. Click the animation style that you want, and then under Effect Options, click One by one. In PowerPoint 2007, click By branch one by one or By level one by one.

Note: If you copy a relationship graphic that has an animation applied to it to another slide, the animation is also copied.

Top of Page

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!

×