You can easily duplicate a shape in PowerPoint using keyboard shortcuts, offering quick ways to create copies for your presentations.
There are two primary keyboard shortcuts you can use to duplicate shapes or other objects:
Method 1: Duplicate and Offset
This is the quickest way to create a copy of a shape, resulting in the duplicate appearing slightly shifted from the original.
- Select the shape you want to duplicate.
- Press the duplicate shortcut:
- On a PC: Press Ctrl + D.
- On a Mac: Press ⌘ + D.
When you use Ctrl + D (PC) or ⌘ + D (Mac), PowerPoint duplicates the selected object and automatically shifts it slightly down and to the right. If you duplicate the same shape multiple times using this shortcut, PowerPoint will maintain the same offset distance, allowing you to quickly create a series of identically spaced copies.
Method 2: Duplicate "In Place" by Dragging
This method allows you to create a duplicate and then immediately drag it to the exact position you want, without the automatic offset.
- Select the shape you want to duplicate.
- Hold down the following keys while dragging the shape with your mouse:
- On a PC: Hold Ctrl + Shift while dragging.
- On a Mac: Hold ⌘ + Ctrl + Shift while dragging.
Using Ctrl + Shift + Drag (PC) or ⌘ + Ctrl + Shift + Drag (Mac) creates a copy of the object right where the original was. As you drag, the original stays in place, and the duplicate follows your cursor. Holding Shift also helps constrain the movement horizontally or vertically, making it easier to align your duplicate.
Summary of Duplication Shortcuts
| Action | PC Shortcut | Mac Shortcut | Resulting Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duplicate and Offset | Ctrl + D | ⌘ + D | Shifted down and right |
| Duplicate "In Place" & Drag | Ctrl + Shift + Drag | ⌘ + Ctrl + Shift + Drag | Starts at original spot |
These methods provide efficient ways to manage objects on your PowerPoint slides, speeding up the process of creating and arranging visual elements.
