Apply Reflection Effects to Shapes in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows
Learn how to apply Reflection effects to selected shapes in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows.
Author:Geetesh Bajaj
Product/Version: PowerPoint 2016 for Windows
OS: Windows 7 and higher
Apply any of the various effects in PowerPoint, and your shapes may stand out; literally out of the slide! In this series on
Shape Effects in PowerPoint 2016, we have explored
several effect types. On this page, you will learn how you can quickly add a convincing Reflection effect to a shape.
While this tutorial pertains to shapes, there's no reason why you cannot use the same Reflection effects on other slide
objects. Reflection applies a blurred, semi-transparent duplication of the original object; in the same way as you may have seen the
reflection on water or glass. Look at Figure 1 where we have a few sample Reflection effects applied to shapes.
Figure 1: Reflection effects applied to shapes
Note: Although you can add both a
shadow and Reflection effect to any shape
in PowerPoint, it's good to use just one of these two effects in a shape so as to mimic reality where you see one of these two at a time.
To see a sample presentation containing Reflection effects in PowerPoint, scroll down to the bottom of this page.
Follow these steps to apply Reflection effects to a shape in
PowerPoint 2016:
Select the shape so that the
Ribbon shows the Drawing Tools Format tab, as
shown highlighted in blue within Figure 2. Activate this Ribbon tab by
clicking on it. Within the Drawing Tools Format tab click the Shape Effects button (highlighted in
red within Figure 2).
Figure 2: 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.
This brings up the Shape Effects drop-down gallery, as shown in Figure 3. From this gallery, choose the
Reflection option; this brings up the Reflection sub-gallery (refer to Figure 3 again).
Figure 3: Reflection sub-gallery within Shape Effects drop-down gallery
The options within the Reflection sub-gallery are explained below, as marked in Figure 3, above.
A. No Reflection
Use this option to remove reflection from a selected shape.
B. Reflection Variations
You can choose any of nine default reflection styles available. All variations can be seen in
Figure 3, above; use these variations.
Move the cursor over any of the effects within the Reflection sub-gallery to see a
Live Preview of the effect on the shape, as shown in
Figure 4.
Figure 4: Live Preview of the Reflection effect on the selected shape
Tip: Place your shape in the area that is not covered by the Shape Effects drop-down gallery as shown in
Figure 4, so that you can see the Live Preview.
Click on any Reflection effect to apply it to the selected shape. In Figure 5 below you can see a
Reflection effect applied to the previously selected shape.
Figure 5: Reflection effect applied to a Star shape
PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts and Sequences:
PowerPoint 2016, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2007 and 2003 for Windows
PowerPoint 2016 and 2011 for Mac
PowerPoint Online for Windows and Mac
Have your ever used keyboard shortcuts and sequences in PowerPoint? Or are you a complete keyboard aficionado?
Do you want to learn about some new shortcuts? Or do you want to know if your favorite keyboard shortcuts are documented?
