How to add or edit shapes in Microsoft Word and Excel

When creating a document in Microsoft Word, or a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel, users can add many shapes to highlight important items. Bringing attention to those items helps readers better understand the content of the document or spreadsheet. After adding a shape, it can be modified by changing features, like size, color, and fill.

To add and edit a shape in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, select the link below for help.

Add shapes in Microsoft Word

Select the version of Microsoft Word you're using below and follow the steps to learn how to add a shape to a document.

Microsoft Word Online

1. In Microsoft Word Online, click the Insert tab at the top of the window.
2. On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click the Drawings option.

3. In the Drawings (Preview) window, click the Shapes option, and select the type of shape you want to add or draw from the drop-down menu.

4. After selecting the desired type of shape, draw the shape in the Drawing window, then click the Save and Close button to add the shape to your Word Online document.

Microsoft Word desktop application

1. In Microsoft Word, click the Insert tab at the top of the program window.
2. On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click the Shapes option.

3. Select the type of shape you want to add or draw from the drop-down menu.

Add shapes in Microsoft Excel

The following steps help you add a shape to a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel Online or the desktop application.

1. In Microsoft Excel, click the Insert tab at the top of the program window.
2. On the Insert tab, click the Illustrations option, then click the Shapes option.

3. Select the type of shape you want to add or draw from the drop-down menu.

Edit shapes in Microsoft Word and Excel

1. Click the shape to select it.
2. Right-click the shape and select Format Shape in the pop-up menu.

3. The Format Shape section opens on the right side of the program window. You can change the shape's fill, select the type and fill color (or no fill), and the size, color, and shape's lines. You can also add shadow, glow, reflection, and other effects.