How do you connect shapes together in PowerPoint?

To connect shapes together in PowerPoint, you primarily use the "Merge Shapes" feature. This feature allows you to combine two or more selected shapes into a single, new shape using various operations.

Here's a breakdown of the process:

Select the Shapes: Click on the first shape you want to include, then hold down the Shift key and click on any other shapes you want to connect. All shapes you want to combine should now be selected.
Navigate to the Format Tab: Once the shapes are selected, a "Shape Format" or "Format" tab will appear in the PowerPoint ribbon at the top. Click on this tab.
Find "Merge Shapes": In the "Shape Format" tab, look for the "Insert Shapes" group or a group called "Shape Styles" (the exact naming can vary slightly depending on your PowerPoint version). Within that group, you should find a "Merge Shapes" option. It might be a button with that label or a dropdown menu.
Choose a Merge Option: Clicking "Merge Shapes" will present you with several options, each offering a different way to combine the selected shapes. Here's a description of each:
- Union: Combines all selected shapes into one single shape. Any overlapping areas are merged.
- Combine: Combines the shapes, but removes overlapping areas, creating "cut-out" effects.
- Fragment: Breaks the shapes down into all their individual segments, including the overlapping portions as separate shapes.
- Intersect: Keeps only the area where all the selected shapes overlap.
- Subtract: Subtracts the area of the shapes selected after the first shape from the first shape. The order in which you select the shapes matters.
Applying the Merge: Select the desired merge option. PowerPoint will apply that option to the selected shapes, creating a new shape based on your choice.

Example Scenario:

Let's say you want to create a heart shape by merging two circles and a triangle.

Insert two circles and a triangle.
Position the circles so they overlap slightly at the top. Position the triangle below the circles so its top point touches the overlapping section of the circles.
Select all three shapes.
Go to the "Format" tab, then "Merge Shapes".
Choose "Union".
The circles and triangle will be merged into a single heart shape.

Key Considerations:

Order Matters (Subtract): When using "Subtract," the shape you select first is the one that remains, and the subsequent shapes are subtracted from it.
Experiment: Try out each merge option to understand how they work and to achieve the desired effect.
Shape Formatting: After merging, you can still format the resulting shape (e.g., change its fill color, outline, or add effects).

By using the "Merge Shapes" feature effectively, you can create complex and unique shapes in PowerPoint to enhance your presentations.