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PowerPoint

How to Curve Text in PowerPoint to Add Visual Interest

Participants I meet in Microsoft PowerPoint training often want to use customized text and graphics in their presentations. Utilizing curved text in PowerPoint is great way to add some visual excitement to your slide deck.

In this article, we’ll look at how to curve text in PowerPoint. Curved text isn’t difficult but applying carefully selected effects to key points on a slide can truly elevate your PowerPoint presentation.

Adding Curved Text in PowerPoint

To illustrate the entire process, let’s create a circle with some text, similar to the graphic at the beginning of this article.

  1. Add a blank to an existing presentation or create a new one.
  2. Click Shapes in the Insert > Illustrations group then select the Oval from the Basic Shapes category.
Oval in Basic Shapes
Oval in Basic Shapes
  1. Click and press the Shift button as you drag to create a circle that is approximately 3″ in diameter.
  2. Type GREAT $2 COFFEE, pressing Enter after each word so the text appears on 3 lines.
  3. Select all 3 lines of text then click the Font Size down arrow and select 36 in the Home > Font group.
36 point font
Text formatted using a 36 point font
  1. Click Text Effects in the Shape Format > Word Art Styles group, point to Transform, then select Button in the Follow Path category.
Button Text Effect
Button text effect

That’s all there is to it!

Using PowerPoint’s WordArt transform settings, we created created a circular text effect. With a little effort, we were able to curve the “Great Coffee” text around “$2”.

To further enhance the presentation of this graphic, you could increase the font size of $2, select a lighter fill color, and apply a shadow to the text (also a transform effect).

Great $2 Coffee
Great $2 Coffee

Where Will You Curve Text in PowerPoint?

Using curved text in PowerPoint is an easy way to create custom graphics. WordArt text is a powerful way to apply any effect you desire.

It’s not hard to curve text – but people will be thoroughly impressed with your graphic design skills… Let’s not tell them how easy it is!

By Michael Belfry

Working as a full-time training consultant, Michael provides Microsoft Office courses to government and private sector clients across Canada.