Introduction

SmartArt allows you to visually communicate information rather than simply using text. Illustrations can make an impact in your document, and SmartArt makes using graphics especially easy.

In this lesson, you will learn how to insert a SmartArt graphic, change the color and effects of the illustration, and modify it in several ways.

SmartArt graphics

Download the example to work along with the video.

To insert a SmartArt illustration:

• Place the insertion point in the document where you want the graphic to appear.
• Select the Insert tab.
• Select the SmartArt command in the Illustrations group. A dialog box appears.

• Select a category on the left of the dialog box, and review the SmartArt graphics that appear in the center .
• Left-click a graphic to select it.

• Click OK.

To see more details about a graphic, left-click any image, and a larger version of the graphic and additional text details will appear on the right side of the dialog box.

To add text to a SmartArt graphic:

• Select the graphic. The first text box is selected. If the task pane on the left of the graphic is visible, the insertion point appears in it. If the task pane is not visible, click the arrow to open the task pane.
• Enter text into the task pane fields. The information will appear in the graphic.

OR

• Click X to close the task pane.
• Enter text into the first text box in the graphic.
• Continue to enter text in the text box graphics.

Notice that the text you enter automatically resizes to fit inside the box.

To add a shape to a graphic:

• Select the graphic. The SmartArt Tools Design and Format tabs appear on the Ribbon.
• Select the Design tab.
• Click the Add Shape command in the Graphics group.
• Decide where you want the new shape to appear, and select one of the shapes nearby the desired location.
• Select Add Shape Before or Add Shape After . If you wanted to add a superior or a subordinate, you could select the Above or Below options.

  
  

  

To move shapes using the Promote or Demote commands:

• Select the graphic. The SmartArt Tools Design and Format tabs appear on the Ribbon.
• Select the Design tab.
• Select the shape you want to move.
• Click the Promote or Demote command in the Create Graphic group.

The Promote and Demote commands allow you to move shapes and customize the graphic instead of having to use the predefined default illustration.

To change the graphic style:

• Select the graphic. The SmartArt Tools Design and Format tabs appear on the Ribbon.
• Select the Design tab.
• Left-click a style to select it.

Click the More arrow to see all of the style options. Hover over each to display a live preview of the style in your document.

To change the color scheme:

• Select the graphic. The SmartArt Tools Design and Format tabs appear on the Ribbon.
• Select the Design tab.
• Click the Change Color command. A menu of color schemes appears.
• Left-click an option to select it.

Explore the options in the Layout group if you want to switch to another graphic but keep the existing text. You also can select the Format tab to access additional formatting options, including fill, text, and line color.

Some of the options will differ from graphic to graphic. Look carefully at the SmartArt Tools tabs, and explore the active commands.

Challenge!

Use the report or any Word document you choose to complete this challenge.

• Insert a SmartArt illustration into a document.
• Enter text into the graphic.
• Modify the style.
• Modify the graphic as needed.