PowerPoint Trick to Cut a Shape

Home > PowerPoint Tutorials > PowerPoint Shapes >PowerPoint Trick

Discover a valuable technique for cutting shapes in PowerPoint 2007 and create a plethora of useful diagrams, such as circular arrows, with ease.

Let's delve into this PowerPoint trick:

At times, you may need to divide a shape into multiple pieces to represent various components of a whole or different stages of a process. However, not everyone possesses the 2010 version of PowerPoint or knows how to execute the shape subtract function effortlessly.

In this article, we will explore a practical method for cutting auto shapes, even if you lack the 2010 version of PowerPoint.

The secret behind the trick...

To create a visually appealing and professional diagram, it's important to know the trick of cutting shapes using lines in the same color as the slide background. By drawing lines in the same color as the background on an auto shape, you can create the illusion of the shape being cut along the lines you drew.

Let's take a practical example of this principle by cutting an auto shape.

First, go to the Auto shapes menu and select the 'Frame' tool under Basic shapes.

Change the fill color of the shape to black and remove the outline.

Next, we will divide this shape into four pieces to indicate circular arrows. 

Go to the 'line' tool in the Auto shapes menu and use the Chevron tool to draw an arrow by connecting two line segments at a 45° angle. Thicken the line by increasing the weight of the line to 6 pts.

 Place this arrow shape on all four sides of the 'Frame' shape you drew earlier. 

When you change the line color to white, which is the color of the slide background, the frame gets divided into four segments as shown below.

Caveat when using this trick: 

Please keep in mind that this trick only works on 2D shapes and is most effective when the auto shape is colored with darker shades. In lighter shades, the division may not be as clearly apparent.

 Now, you can enter relevant text and create a diagram template that is both visually appealing and professional like this:

Source: Templates from PowerPoint CEO Pack 2

Quick Note about PowerPoint CEO Packs:

We highly recommend taking a look at our ‘PowerPoint 2 CEO Packs Bundle’. This bundle includes over 1600 premium charts, graphs, diagrams, and graphics that will help you create remarkable slides and enhance your brand image.

All of the diagram templates in the pack are fully editable, making it easier than ever to create professional presentations. We encourage you to browse through our extensive collection of diagrams to learn more.

As an example, we have created a diagram template using the same technique. Notice how we divided the doughnut shape in the middle into four segments using simple white lines.

In conclusion, simple tricks like the ones you learned in this article can help you create better quality diagrams for your business presentations. Using professional quality diagrams in your high-stakes presentations can make a lasting impression on your audience.

Related: Trick to make 2D into 3D with gradients

Related:  6 Smartart Features you Never Knew

Return to Main Shapes in PowerPoint Page

Return to Top of PowerPoint Trick Page