Weekly Computer Tip # 355
5 December 2011

Tweak your SmartArt graphics
(Office 2007-2010)

First of all, happy Sinterklaas! "Sinterwho?" I hear you ask. Never one to miss an opportunity to educate... see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas

Focus, woman! Tip time...

Hope you've all fallen in love with Microsoft's SmartArt?! But have you ever had the need to delete bits from the SmartArt graphic, such as an arrow or one of the picture shapes? If so, you might have noticed you cannot. That said, last week's course participant (thanks, Susanna!) found out how to trick it.

Here's how:

1. Right-click the bit you want to delete.
2. Select Format Shape from the shortcut menu.
3. On the Fill panel, set the Transparency option to 100%.
4. On the Line Color panel, select the No Line radio button.
5. Click on the Close button.

By the way, if you are still causing death by PowerPoint you might want to have another look at how to convert an existing bulleted list to a SmartArt graphic (tip_268.php)

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