PowerPoint: Use the puzzle shape

If you want to visualize relationships in your PowerPoint presentation, you can use puzzle shapes. A puzzle in which differently shaped parts interlock to form a closed whole is a well-known and internationally understandable symbol. However, you will not find these puzzle shapes directly in PowerPoint. Here we explain how you can insert such shapes into your PowerPoint presentation and what design options are associated with it. A chic option in your PowerPoint presentation with each other

The quick solution: Puzzle pieces from the net for PowerPoint

Even if Microsoft does not provide any puzzle shapes directly, you will find enough free templates on the Internet. However, only use templates that are under a Creative Commons license and read the license agreements carefully. As a rule, the source must be mentioned in your presentation. Tip: The free presentation program OpenOffice Impress also has puzzle pieces in its symbol catalog.

Create puzzle shapes yourself in PowerPoint

It is also not difficult to create puzzle shapes yourself in PowerPoint. Use the "Merge shapes" command in the drawing tools to create individual and freely designable puzzle pieces. How you should proceed is shown here on a simple 2x2 puzzle.

1. In PowerPoint, create a rectangular shape using "Insert" → "Shapes" → "Rectangles".
2. Draw a circle to protrude the puzzle piece. Place the circle on the edge of the rectangle. If the part is to be connected to others on several sides, repeat this step.
3. Press and hold the Shift key to select all elements. The "Format" tab is now visible in the ribbon under Drawing Tools. Open the "Format" tab.
4. The "Merge shapes" drop-down menu can only be clicked in the "Insert shapes" command group if you have selected several shapes. Select the "Union" command from the menu. The circles are now fixed as protuberances on the rectangle.
5. To create the corresponding puzzle counterpart, drag a corresponding rectangular shape onto the first puzzle piece. Select both shapes again and select the "Subtract" command from the "Merge shapes" drop-down menu. If a connection to another part should also be available on this puzzle part, repeat steps 2 - 4.

Build exciting PowerPoint presentations with puzzle shapes

Once you have done the work and developed a puzzle shape, you can apply it to any image. With the appropriate animation, you can then present important images or graphics part by part as a puzzle. To do this, proceed as follows.

1. Mark your puzzle shape and use the "Format" → "Fill Effects" tab to reduce the graphic to the contours by clicking on the "No Fill Effects" entry. Strengthen the contours using the drop-down menu "Shape contour" → "Thickness".
2. Use the "Insert" tab to select the picture you want to design as a puzzle. Insert the picture into your presentation and adjust it to the size of the puzzle. To do this, select the image and select the "Crop" command in the "Size" command group on the "Format" tab. In a separate article, we will show you how to crop images in PowerPoint. Cut out the picture in the now adjusted size with the key combination [CTRL] + [X].
3. Now mark a puzzle piece of your shape and click the command chain "Format" → "Fill effect" → "Structure" → "Other textures". In the window that opens, activate the entry "Image or Text Fill". With a click on "Clipboard" your picture will be inserted into the marked puzzle part. Make sure that the check mark for "Show image side by side as texture" is set and the check mark for "Rotate with shape" is missing. Use "Alignment" to bring the picture and puzzle pieces into line.
4. You have now broken down your picture into individual puzzle pieces. In the next article, we will show you how you can gradually combine these into a presentation, for example.