A vertical block list graphically represents a task, process, or workflow, each step of which contains multiple sub-steps or points of interest. By using a SmartArt graphic in Excel, PowerPoint, or Word, you can create a vertical block list and include it in your worksheet, presentation, or document.
In this article
Create a vertical block list
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On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click SmartArt.
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In the Choose a SmartArt Graphic gallery, click List, and then double-click Vertical Block List.
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To enter text in a box, do one of the following:
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Click [Text] in the Text pane, and then type your text.
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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.
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Click in a box in the SmartArt graphic, and then type your text.
Note: For best results, use this option after you add all of the boxes that you want.
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Add or delete boxes in your vertical block list
Add a box
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Click the SmartArt graphic that you want to add a box to.
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Click the existing box that is located closest to where you want to add the new box.
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Under SmartArt Tools, on the Design tab, in the Create Graphic group, click the arrow under Add Shape.
If you don't see the SmartArt Tools or Design tabs, make sure that you've selected the SmartArt graphic.
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Do one of the following:
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To insert a box at the same level as the selected box but following it, click Add Shape After.
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To insert a box at the same level as the selected box but before it, click Add Shape Before.
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Delete a box
To delete a box, click the border of the box you want to delete, and then press DELETE.
Notes:
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When you need to add a box to your vertical block list, experiment with adding the box before or after the selected box to get the placement you want for the new box.
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To add a box from the Text pane:
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Place your cursor at the beginning of the text where you want to add a box.
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Type the text that you want in your new box, press ENTER, and then to indent the new box, press TAB, or to negative indent, press SHIFT+TAB.
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Move a box in your vertical block list
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To move a box, click the box, and then drag it to its new location.
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To move a box in very small increments, hold down CTRL while you press the arrow keys on your keyboard.
Change the colors of your vertical block list
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 vertical block list. You can also add effects, such as glows, soft edges, or 3-D effects. In PowerPoint presentations, you can animate your vertical block list.
You can apply color combinations that are derived from the theme colors to the boxes in your SmartArt graphic.
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Click the SmartArt graphic whose color you want to change.
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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.
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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 box's border
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In the SmartArt graphic, right-click the border of the box you want to change, and then click Format Shape.
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To change the color of the box's border, click Line Color, click Color
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To change the style of the box's border, click Line Style, and then choose the line styles you want.
Change the background color of a box in your vertical block list
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Right-click the border of a box, and then click Format Shape.
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Click the Fill pane, and then click Solid fill.
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Click Color
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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).
Apply a SmartArt Style to your vertical block list
A SmartArt Style is a combination of various effects, such as line style, bevel, or 3-D, that you can apply to the boxes in your SmartArt graphic to create a unique and professionally designed look.
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Click the SmartArt graphic whose SmartArt Style you want to change.
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Under SmartArt Tools, on the Design tab, in the SmartArt Styles group, click the SmartArt Style that you want.
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.
Notes:
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When you place your pointer over a thumbnail, you can see how the SmartArt Style affects your SmartArt graphic.
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You can also customize your SmartArt graphic by moving boxes, resizing boxes, adding a fill or effect, and adding a picture.
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Animate your vertical block list
If you're using PowerPoint, you can animate your vertical block list to emphasize each box or each hierarchical level.
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Click the SmartArt graphic that you want to animate.
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On the Animations tab, in the Animations group, click Animate, and then click By branch one by one.
Note: If you copy a vertical block list that has an animation applied to it to another slide, the animation is also copied.
