To add a shape after a selected shape in PowerPoint, you typically use the "Add Shape After" command. This command is commonly found when working with structured graphics like SmartArt or organizational charts, where shapes are connected and have a defined relationship or sequence.
Adding a Shape After a Selected Shape
When you are building a diagram or structure in PowerPoint using features like SmartArt, shapes are linked, and you can easily add new shapes relative to an existing one.
Here's how it works, based on the provided references and the context where this command exists:
- Select the Shape: First, select the shape in your SmartArt graphic or organizational chart that you want to add a new shape after.
- Find the "Add Shape" Command: Once a shape within the graphic is selected, contextual tabs appear in the PowerPoint ribbon, usually under "SmartArt Design" or "SmartArt Format". Look for the "Create Graphic" group or similar options.
- Click "Add Shape After": Within this group, you will find the "Add Shape" button. Clicking this button usually presents options, or sometimes "Add Shape After" is a direct option or a dropdown choice next to it. To insert a shape after the selected shape, click Add Shape After.
This action adds a new shape that is typically placed to the right of the selected shape (in horizontal layouts) or below it (in vertical layouts), depending on the structure of the graphic, and is automatically connected or related according to the graphic's design.
Add Shape After vs. Add Shape Before
Understanding the "Add Shape" options helps you control the placement relative to the selected shape:
- Add Shape After: To insert a shape after the selected shape, click Add Shape After. The new shape is added following the selected one in the structure.
- Add Shape Before: To insert a shape before the selected shape, click Add Shape Before. The new shape is added preceding the selected one in the structure.
| Option | Action | Typical Result (Relative to Selected Shape) |
|---|---|---|
| Add Shape After | Inserts a shape after the selected shape. | Appears subsequent (e.g., right or below). |
| Add Shape Before | Inserts a shape before the selected shape. | Appears antecedent (e.g., left or above). |
Using the "Add Shape After" command is the direct way to add a shape after a specific shape within a structured graphic in PowerPoint, maintaining the connections and layout of the diagram.
