Are you trying to remove an unwanted line from your PowerPoint template? Lines and borders can be useful graphic elements in slide layouts, but sometimes you may want a cleaner look without extraneous lines. Luckily, it’s easy to get rid of a line in a PowerPoint template with just a few clicks. This article will show you exactly how to delete lines in PowerPoint templates, whether they are part of shapes, text boxes, or other objects.
Removing Lines from Shapes in PowerPoint
One common place you might find unwanted lines in a PowerPoint template is as the borders around shapes. Here’s how to get rid of those lines:
- In PowerPoint, open the slide with the template containing the shape you want to edit
- Click on the shape to select it
- Go to the Shape Format tab in the ribbon toolbar
- Locate the Shape Outline dropdown menu
- Click on the dropdown menu and select No Outline
The border line will now be removed from your selected shape, giving you a line-free look.
Tips for Formatting Shapes
- You can apply this to multiple shapes at once by selecting them all before changing the outline
- To select multiple shapes, hold down Shift and click each one, or click and drag to draw a selection box around them
- Removing the outline doesn’t delete the shape itself, just the line around its edge
- You can still apply other formatting like fill colors, shadow effects, etc. to shapes without outlines
Deleting Lines from Text Boxes
Another element where annoying lines often pop up in PowerPoint templates is text boxes. Getting rid of borders around text boxes is very similar to removing shape outlines:
- Select the text box on your slide by clicking it
- Navigate to the Shape Format tab on the ribbon
- Find the Shape Outline menu and click the dropdown
- Choose the No Outline option
Your text box will now have no border line framing your text. The text itself will remain intact.
Working with Text Boxes
| To… | Do this |
|---|---|
| Create a new text box | Click Insert > Text Box, then click and drag on the slide |
| Edit text in a text box | Click inside the text box and start typing |
| Move a text box | Click on the outer edge of the text box and drag it to a new spot |
| Resize a text box | Click to select, then drag the handles on the corners or sides |
Use text boxes to add titles, captions, bullet points, and other text to your slides without the constraints of lines.
Erasing Lines Inside Tables
Tables are hugely helpful for organizing data and information in PowerPoint presentations. But table cells come with border lines that you may sometimes want to hide. To remove lines from a table in PowerPoint:
- Click on your table to reveal the Table Design tab
- On the Table Design ribbon, locate the Borders dropdown
- Expand the menu options and choose No Border
- All of the inner and outer lines will vanish, leaving you a table without cell dividers
You can get more granular and remove just some of the lines using the Borders menu:
- Click inside an individual cell, then use the Borders menu to choose which of its lines to erase
- Highlight multiple cells and apply the line deletion to that selection
- Remove only inner or outer lines by picking those specific options
Experiment with different border options to get your table looking exactly how you want it.
Making Tables without Lines
| Element | How to Remove Lines |
|---|---|
| Table with no borders | Borders dropdown > No Border |
| Cell with no borders | Click inside cell, Borders dropdown > No Border |
| Row/Column line deletion | Select row/column, Borders dropdown > No Border |
For a cleaner, more modern style, consider tables without any lines at all. Your data will still be neatly aligned in a grid format.
Hiding Lines on Charts
Charts and graphs are invaluable for making data visualizations in PowerPoint. However, the default styles often include axis lines, gridlines, and borders that may not fit your desired aesthetic. To eliminate lines on a chart:
- Click on the chart to highlight it and open the Chart Design ribbon
- Locate the Add Chart Element dropdown on the left side
- Hover over Axes to see options for removing axis lines
- Uncheck boxes for any lines you want hidden, such as the horizontal or vertical axis
- Hover over Gridlines and uncheck to remove those lines
- Expand the Add Chart Element menu further to find the Plot Area and Chart Area sections
- Hover over each and unselect Border to nix the lines around those regions
Feel free to toggle lines on and off until you strike the right visual balance. You want your chart data to be easy to interpret without superfluous lines obscuring it.
Adjusting Chart Elements
In addition to removing lines, you can further customize your chart’s appearance in PowerPoint:
- Change the chart type for a completely different look under Change Chart Type
- Alter the color scheme from the Change Colors menu
- Adjust labels, legends, titles, and data labels from the Add Chart Element menu
- Apply a predefined style from the Chart Styles section of the ribbon
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different chart settings and find the perfect one to showcase your data.
Using Background Graphics Instead of Lines
One final tip is to avoid using lines as layout dividers in your PowerPoint slide templates altogether. While lines can break up sections, they tend to look dated. For a fresher, more engaging template design, try these line-free ideas:
- Use colored shapes, like rectangles or circles, as content blocks and arrange them on the slide
- Employ background graphics and images to distinguish segments without harsh lines
- Separate different areas with whitespace for an uncluttered, airy aesthetic
- Create visual interest with contrasting colors and striking fonts instead of relying on borders
The absence of dividing lines actually makes slides appear more modern and captivating. Your audience will appreciate the streamlined styling.
Creative Slide Layout Ideas
Looking for more ways to design an appealing line-free PowerPoint template? Consider these suggestions:
- Minimalist style with lots of open space, limited text, and large graphics
- Full-screen images or videos as the slide background for an immersive experience
- Asymmetrical layouts with elements placed at angles for an unexpected look
- Bold color blocking to organize content into clear sections without lines
- Infographic style using icons and pictograms to illustrate ideas
Focusing on strong visual elements will make your slides pop, rendering lines completely unnecessary.
Key Takeaways for Removing Lines
To quickly get rid of lines on PowerPoint templates, follow these simple steps:
- For shapes, click the shape and use the Shape Outline menu to select No Outline
- On text boxes, select the text box, go to the Shape Format tab, and choose No Outline
- In tables, use the Borders dropdown menu on the Table Design ribbon to remove border lines
- For charts, access the Add Chart Element menu and uncheck lines, gridlines, and borders
Remember, you can always customize your line deletions, removing lines fully or partially. Concentrate on clearly conveying your content while maintaining visual appeal. With these tips, your PowerPoint template will be sleek, polished, and line-free!
FAQs
How do I remove the line around a shape in PowerPoint?
To remove the line around a shape in PowerPoint, select the shape, go to the Shape Format tab in the ribbon toolbar, click on the Shape Outline dropdown menu, and choose “No Outline”.
Can I get rid of the border around a text box in PowerPoint?
Yes, to remove the border around a text box, select the text box, navigate to the Shape Format tab on the ribbon, find the Shape Outline menu, click the dropdown, and select “No Outline”.
How can I remove the lines in a table in PowerPoint?
To remove lines in a PowerPoint table, click on the table to open the Table Design tab, locate the Borders dropdown, expand the menu options, and choose “No Border” to remove all inner and outer lines.
Is it possible to hide the axis lines and gridlines on a chart in PowerPoint?
Yes, to hide axis lines and gridlines on a PowerPoint chart, click the chart to open the Chart Design ribbon, find the Add Chart Element dropdown, hover over Axes and Gridlines, and uncheck the boxes for the lines you want to hide.
Can I remove lines from only some cells in a PowerPoint table?
Yes, to remove lines from specific cells in a table, click inside the cell or select multiple cells, then use the Borders dropdown menu to choose which lines to erase for that selection.
What are some alternatives to using lines in a PowerPoint template?
Instead of using lines in your PowerPoint template, try using colored shapes as content blocks, background graphics to distinguish sections, whitespace to separate elements, or contrasting colors and fonts to create visual interest.
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