Grouping Slide Objects in PowerPoint 2007 for Windows

When you have many (or more than one) slide objects on a slide that you want to manipulate in the same way, you might want to consider grouping them. Grouping can be helpful in the following scenarios:

• You want to animate several slide objects at the same time as a single object.
• You have too many objects on the slide, and want them all grouped so that you don't have to select them individually all the time.
• Or maybe you just like to have all objects on your slide organized.

Once slide objects are grouped, PowerPoint allows you to perform many tasks in an easier and faster manner. Follow these steps to group objects in PowerPoint 2007 or higher versions. For a PowerPoint 2002/2003 specific version of this tutorial, look here.

1. Make sure you have more than one object on a slide, as shown in Figure 1, below.
2. 
   Figure 1: Place objects on slide
2. Now, select the objects by using any of the following methods:
• Select one shape and then hold down the Shift or Ctrl key while you select other shapes.
• Drag a marquee around the shapes.
• Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all the objects on the slide.


PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts

Do you want more keyboard shortcuts?

Explore our PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts and Sequences Ebook that is updated for all PowerPoint versions.

3. Now, choose either of these options to group the objects:
1. Right-click the selected objects carefully to get a contextual menu. From the menu choose Group | Group, as shown in Figure 2, below.
2. 
   Figure 2: Group
2. Alternatively, you'll find that selecting the objects shows the Drawing Tools Format tab of the Ribbon, as shown in Figure 3, below. Activate this Ribbon tab.
3. 
   Figure 3: Drawing Tools Format tab of the Ribbon

No Drawing Toolbar?

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.
1. From the Drawing Tools Format tab, locate the Arrange group, then select the Group | Group option, as shown in Figure 4, below.
2. 
   Figure 4: Group slide objects
3. The easiest option is to use the shortcut key: Ctrl + G. Explore our Grouping and Ungrouping Shortcut Keys tutorial for more shortcut keys.
4. Save your presentation.

Problems with Grouping? See our Grouping in PowerPoint Troubleshooting tutorial page.