Shapes are a key element of PowerPoint and can be used with relatively little effort to create useful infographics. The ability to combine shapes allows you to create pictograms and icons. Here are a few examples.

With a little practice, combining and subtracting shapes makes it relatively easy to create icons, pictograms, and infographics that you can use to add another layer of communication to your presentations. The results in PowerPoint are quite usable and save you the need for external programs. Our examples show you what's possible with simple tools.

Rectangular speech bubble

1. First, insert a rectangle and a triangle as shapes. You can find these in the "Shapes" menu under the "Insert" tab.
2. Rotate the inserted triangle by clicking the green dot above the top of the triangle with your mouse.
3. Slide the triangle under the rectangle so that the shapes are directly adjacent to each other.
   

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   Select both shapes (CTRL key + left click) and under the "Format Formatting" tab, click "Merge Shapes".

5. The two shapes have now been combined into one shape, which you can move and resize as you wish.
   

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Create cloud

1. Insert a rectangle, several circles, and ellipses as shapes. Arrange the shapes to create the outline of a cloud.
   

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   Select all shapes (CTRL key + left click) and under the "Format Formatting" tab, click the "Merge Shapes" button.

3. The shapes are then joined together to create a continuous "cloud" shape.
   

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Create crescent moon

1. Insert two circles as shapes. You can find these in the "Shapes" menu under the "Insert" tab.
2. Arrange the circles so that they overlap and together form a shape that roughly resembles a figure eight.
   

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   Select both shapes (Ctrl key + left-click) and under the "Format" tab, click the "Merge Shapes" button. Then click "Subtract Shapes".

4. The top circle is "cut out", leaving a crescent shape which you can use as an icon or graphic to represent a moon.
   

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Please note that these features have been available since PowerPoint version 2017. Explore the many new shape combinations!
In two previous articles, we discussed further features in detail: Sensation in shape merging in PowerPoint 2013/16 and What's new in PowerPoint 2013/16: Shape merging .