Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Adjusting Shadow Settings.

Adjusting Shadow Settings

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 30, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


Word allows you to insert all sorts of simple graphic elements in your documents. This is typically done through the use of the Drawing toolbar. You normally display the toolbar, then choose a shape you want to create and place it within the document.

Word allows you to add shadows to your graphic shapes in order to give them a "three dimensional" look and feel. You add the shadows by selecting the graphic object, clicking on the Shadow tool on the Drawing toolbar, and then picking the type of shadow you want applied.

That is all fine and good, but what if you want to move the shadow a bit to the left or change the color or density of the shadow? If you want to fine-tune your shadow, follow these steps once the shadow is in place:

  1. Make sure the shadowed object is selected.
  2. Click on the Shadow tool on the Drawing toolbar. Word displays a palette of different shadow effects.
  3. Choose Shadow Settings from the bottom of the palette. Word displays the Shadow Settings toolbar.
  4. Use the different tools on the toolbar to adjust the appearance of your shadow.
  5. When finished, close the Shadow Settings toolbar.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (696) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Adjusting Shadow Settings.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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