Selecting an Autoshape

  • Thread starter Thread starter KC
  • Start date Start date
K

KC

I use autoshapes to provide background-color to emphasize specific words in
a textbox. This puts the autoshape behind the textbox making selection of
the autoshape difficult.

My technique is to select any object on the screen, and press "Tab"
repeatedly until my autoshape is selected.

Is there a quicker method to select an autoshape which is smaller and behind
a textbox?

KC
 
KC,
Quicker, not really. If there are not too much objects on the slide you can
use the multiple selection button on the drawing toolbar. Click on it and
you will see all objects on the slide, select the one you need and click OK.
The problem is that if you have several objects it is difficult to pinpoint
the right one. If you don't see the button, add it using the tiny toolbar
option arrow at the end of the toolbar. It's the only one that is not
checked. In PPT 2007 this is no longer a problem with the new visibility
task pane, and the ability to name your objects yourself.
You could also choose to set the transparency of the autoshape, so that it
can stay on top of the textbox making it easier to select.
 
I use autoshapes to provide background-color to emphasize specific words in
a textbox. This puts the autoshape behind the textbox making selection of
the autoshape difficult.

My technique is to select any object on the screen, and press "Tab"
repeatedly until my autoshape is selected.

Is there a quicker method to select an autoshape which is smaller and behind
a textbox?
Click to expand...

There's a free tool included with our PPT2HTML addin demo that lists all the
shapes on a slide and lets you select, move, rename or do other useful things
with any of them. http://www.pptools.com/ppt2html/ for more info. No need to
buy anything, the free demo is all you need for this.

There's also the Select Multiple Objects tool included in PPT 2000 (?) or
higher. You have to use Tools, Customize, Commands and click Drawing to find
it, then drag it to any convenient toolbar you like.

There's something similar (better) in 2007.
 
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