Convert SmartArt Graphic to Text in PowerPoint 2016

One of PowerPoint’s amazing options is the feature that lets you convert your existing bulleted text to a SmartArt graphic. Many times, though, you might want to do the reverse; that is converting SmartArt back to bulleted text. When Microsoft introduced SmartArt in PowerPoint 2007, this reverse conversion was not possible but in later versions, Microsoft added this ability. Follow these steps to do the conversion of SmartArt to bulleted text in PowerPoint 2016. Do note though that you will be left with just plain text rather than any shapes or visuals.

1. Select your existing SmartArt graphic , as you can see in Figure 1. The SmartArt graphic variant that we are using (and have selected) is the Horizontal Picture List.
   
   
   Figure 1: Horizontal Picture List SmartArt with text
   
   
   Note: It's a good idea to create a duplicated backup of the slide that contains the SmartArt graphic that you want to convert to text. A quick way to create this backup is to select the slide within the Slides Pane, or in Slide Sorter view. Then press the Ctrl+ D keyboard shortcut to make a copy of your slide. Want more keyboard shortcuts? Get a copy of our PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts Ebook.
2. When the SmartArt graphic is selected, you'll find two contextual tabs activated on the Ribbon: the SmartArt Tools Design and the SmartArt Tools Format tabs (highlighted in red within Figure 2). Activate the SmartArt Tools Design tab by clicking on it.
   
   
   Figure 2: SmartArt Tools Design tab selected
3. Within the SmartArt Tools Design tab, click the Convert button to bring up a drop-down list (see Figure 3). Within the list, select the Convert to Text option (highlighted in red within Figure 3).
   
   
   Figure 3: Convert to Text option
   
4. This will convert the SmartArt graphic to bulleted list, as shown in Figure 4.
   
   
   Figure 4: SmartArt graphic converted to bulleted list
   
   Alternatively, you can right-click the SmartArt graphic to get the resultant context menu, and choose the Convert to Text option within the right-click contextual menu (highlighted in red within Figure 5).
   
   
   Figure 5: Convert to Text option within the right-click contextual menu

See Also:

Convert SmartArt Graphic to Text in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows
Convert SmartArt Graphic to Text in PowerPoint 2011 for Mac
Convert SmartArt to text in PowerPoint 2010 for Windows