Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Creating a Shape.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated April 3, 2021)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
In addition to working with numbers and text within cells of a workbook, Excel allows you to highlight your worksheets by adding simple drawings. One classification of drawing objects you can add are called AutoShapes. In many respects AutoShapes can be considered simple drawing objects because they are very simple to create, even though they appear complex. Excel defines quite a few different AutoShapes (over a hundred), all selectable by clicking on the AutoShapes tool on the Drawing toolbar.
When you click on the AutoShapes tool you actually display a series of menus from which you can pick the shape you want. For instance, let's say you wanted to draw a heart. You would click on the AutoShapes tool, then choose Basic Shapes, and finally choose the heart shape.
Once you select a shape, you draw it by positioning the mouse pointer at one corner of where you want to place the shape, clicking the mouse button, and dragging until you reach the opposite corner. When you release the mouse button the shape appears on the screen.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2324) 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: Creating a Shape.
Excel Smarts for Beginners! Featuring the friendly and trusted For Dummies style, this popular guide shows beginners how to get up and running with Excel while also helping more experienced users get comfortable with the newest features. Check out Excel 2019 For Dummies today!
When you need to add more than one of a particular drawing object to a worksheet, you can use the techniques described in ...
Discover MoreCreating simple drawing objects is easy in Excel. All you need to do is use the tools made available on the Drawing toolbar.
Discover MoreGraphics are a great addition to a worksheet, but there may be times when you don't want them printed. The easy way to ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here:
Comments