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This article discusses drawing curves, circles, and ovals. For information about drawing lines, see Draw or delete a line or connector. For information about freeform shapes and editing points in shapes, see Draw or edit a freeform shape.

Draw a curve

  1. On the Insert tab, click Shapes.

  2. Under Lines, click Curve.

  3. Click where you want the curve to start, drag to draw, and then click wherever you want to add a curve.

  4. To end a shape, do one of the following:

    • To leave the shape open, double-click at any time.

    • To close the shape, click near its starting point.

Draw an oval or circle

  1. On the Insert tab, click Shapes.

  2. Under Basic Shapes, click Oval.

  3. Click where you want the oval to start, and drag to draw the shape.

  4. To draw a circle, press Shift while you drag.

    Notes:

    • You can change the look of your circle or curve by adding a shape fill or effect or changing the border.

    • If you want to create a more advanced diagram like overlapping circles, an organizational chart, or a flowchart, you can create a SmartArt graphic instead of drawing each shape manually.

    • Circles and ovals are filled automatically. If you don't want the shape to obscure anything underneath it, such as text or cells, select the shape, and on the Format tab, click Shape Fill, and then click No Fill.

Draw a curve

  1. On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Shapes.
    The Shapes group on the Insert tab.

  2. Under Lines, click Curve Curve shape image`.

  3. Click where you want the curve to start, drag to draw, and then click wherever you want to add a curve.

  4. To end a shape, do one of the following:

    • To leave the shape open, double-click at any time.

    • To close the shape, click near its starting point.

      Note:By default, a closed shape is filled. To make sure that the shape doesn't obscure the cells underneath, select the shape, and then under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Fill, and then click No Fill

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Draw an oval or circle

  1. On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Shapes.

    The Shapes group on the Insert tab.

  2. Under Basic Shapes, click Oval Oval shape image.

  3. Click where you want the circle to start. To make the shape a circle, press and hold SHIFT while you drag to draw.

    Notes:

    • You can change the look of your circle or curve by adding a shape fill or shape effect or changing the shape border.

    • If you want to create a more advanced diagram like overlapping circles, an organizational chart, or a flowchart, you can create a SmartArt graphic instead of drawing each shape manually.

    • By default, a circle or oval is filled. To make sure that the shape doesn't obscure the cells underneath, select the shape, and then under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Fill, and then click No Fill.

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