Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 6, 2021)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Excel allows you to work with predefined shapes called AutoShapes. There may be times when you want to completely change an AutoShape from one to another. For instance, you may want to change one banner shape to another. While you can simply delete your original shape and then draw a new one, Excel makes it easy to change shapes.
Follow these steps:
Excel changes the shape used, without changing the overall size or shape of the bounding rectangle that contains the shape. You can then proceed to edit the new AutoShape, as desired.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2201) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Changing a Shape.
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