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How to Start Using SmartArt in PowerPoint in 60 Seconds

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Read Time: 3 min
This post is part of a series called How to Use PowerPoint in 60 Seconds (Quick Video Tutorials).
How to Crop an Image in PowerPoint in 60 Seconds
How to Add Text Drop Shadows in PowerPoint in 60 Seconds

PowerPoint has this great feature called SmartArt that helps you add graphic illustrations and infographics to your presentation. You have to see it in action to get some ideas about how you can best use SmartArt in PowerPoint to make flexible presentation graphics. 

We also have a helpful compliment to this tutorial. Download our FREE eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great PresentationsGrab it now before you read on. 

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Now let's get started. 

How to Quickly Use SmartArt in PowerPoint

Note: Watch this short tutorial screencast or follow the quick steps below, that compliment this video.

1. Select SmartArt to Open Up the Tool

In PowerPoint I'm going to go up to the Insert menu and choose SmartArt

Select the SmartArt tool to open up optionsSelect the SmartArt tool to open up optionsSelect the SmartArt tool to open up options
Select the PowerPoint SmartArt tool to open up your graphic options.

Note: This option is the same whether you're using PowerPoint on Windows or Mac. 

2. Insert Process SmartArt Graphic into Your Presentation

On the left side here are all of these different types of charts and illustrations we can add. So let's choose one from the Process option as an example. I'll press OK

So now we have this process map here in PowerPoint and we can fill it in with our very own contentSo now we have this process map here in PowerPoint and we can fill it in with our very own contentSo now we have this process map here in PowerPoint and we can fill it in with our very own content
Make a selection from the PowerPoint SmartArt graphic options.

3. Using PowerPoint SmartArt With Your Content

So now we have this process map here in PowerPoint and we can fill it in with our very own content. I can add content in the bullets here and it adds it to the chart itself. 

Add steps to your SmartArt process chartAdd steps to your SmartArt process chartAdd steps to your SmartArt process chart
Add steps to your SmartArt process chart.

Now notice that this SmartArt can actually evolve over time to reshape itself based on the content inside of it. 

Finishing Up!

Returning to the Smart Art menu you can see many other options for different types of illustrations that you can fill in with your own content to create helpful illustrations for your viewers.

You can pick from chart types like lists, processes, cycles, hierarchies and more. So SmartArt is an easy way to add these professional illustrations without having to build them in separate apps. 

More Great Envato Tuts+ PowerPoint Tutorials

Learn more in our PowerPoint tutorials and quick video tutorials on Envato Tuts+. We have an assortment of PowerPoint material to help you make a great presentation: 

You can also find great PowerPoint presentation templates with premium designs on GraphicRiver or Envato Elements. Or, browse through our selection of the best Microsoft PowerPoint designs

Make Great Presentations (Free PDF eBook Download)

We also have the perfect compliment to this tutorial, which will walk you through the complete presentation process. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully. 

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Download our new eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations. It's available for free with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter. 

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