---

---

You have already learned how to apply the preset shape effects in PowerPoint 2010. These presets are a combination of various shape effects available -- in this tutorial, I'll show you how you can apply Shadow, one of these effects to selected shapes in PowerPoint 2010.

To see a sample presentation containing Shadow effects in PowerPoint 2010, scroll down to the bottom of this page.

Follow these steps to apply shadow effects to a shape:

1. Select the shape you want to apply the shadow effect to and double click it to activate the Drawing Tools Format tab in the Ribbon (see Figure 1). Within this tab locate the Shape Styles group and click the Shape Effects button that you can see in Figure 1 (highlighted in red).
   
   
   Figure 1: Drawing Tools Format tab of the Ribbon
   
   
   
   Note: The Drawing Tools Format tab is a contextual tab. These tabs are special tabs in the Ribbon that are not visible all the time -- they only make an appearance when you are working with a particular slide object which can be edited using special options.
   
   
2. This brings up the Shape Effects drop-down gallery, as shown in Figure 2. From this gallery, choose the Shadow option (refer to Figure 2 again).
   
   
   Figure 2: Shadow drop-down gallery within Shape effects
   
   
3. This opens the the Shadow sub-gallery (refer to Figure 2 above) that provides the following options:
   
   
   1. No Shadow: Use this option to remove shadow from a selected shape. You can use this option if the shape already has a shadow applied which you want to remove.
      
      
   2. Outer Shadow: There are nine outer shadow styles available for various directions. These outer shadows are akin to drop shadows.
      
      
   3. Inner Shadow: Again you can choose from nine inner shadow styles, this effect applies a darkened edge to the selected shape in various directions.
      
      
   4. Perspective: Adds a long shadow that can sometimes cast off outside the slide area. There are five perspective shadow styles available.
      
      
   5. Shadow Options: If you want more control on shadows, then choose this option to bring up the Format Shape dialog box with the Shadow tab selected (see Figure 3).
      
      
      Figure 3: Format Shape dialog box with Shadow tab selected
      
      These options are explained in the Advanced Shadow Effects tutorial.
      
4. Move the cursor over any of the effects within the Shadows gallery to see a live preview of the effect. Click on any effect to apply it to the selected shape. In Figure 4 you can see that a shadow effect has been applied to the previously selected shape.
   
   
   Figure 4: Rectangle shape with shadow effect applied
   
   
5. Remember to save your presentation often.

Sample Presentation

Click above to view on YouTube

---

---