Inserting Multiple Drawing Objects

There may be times when you want to insert multiple drawing objects (such as squares, rectangles, ovals, or circles) in your document. Rather than click on the drawing tools on the Drawing toolbar before creating each object, Word provides a nifty shortcut. All you need to do is double-click on the drawing tool you want to use. For instance, you can double-click on the Rectangle tool if you want to draw rectangles or squares. Word "locks" the tool into place, and you can create as many of the objects as you desire. When you are done creating them, click on the tool again or press the Esc key to return the mouse pointer to normal.

You can apply the same concept to creating AutoShapes, but the process is just a bit longer. Follow these steps:

1. Click on the AutoShapes tool on the Drawing toolbar. Word presents a listing of AutoShape categories.
2. Click on the category you want to use. Word displays a wide array of AutoShapes you can use.
3. Notice that at the top of the AutoShapes menu there is a small horizontal bar. Click on this bar and drag it to some other location on your screen. When you release the mouse button, the AutoShapes menu appears on its own, floating on your desktop. (See Figure 1.)



Figure 1. The AutoShapes menu can float above your desktop.

4. Double-click on any item on the menu. It remains selected.
5. Create any number of that AutoShape in your document.
6. Press Esc or click on the AutoShape again (in the floating menu) to return the mouse pointer to normal.

When you no longer need the floating AutoShapes menu, click the X in the upper-right corner of the menu and it will disappear.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (64) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.