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Create neat lines and shapes with ink in Excel and PowerPoint for Windows

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Mark_Rideout
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Oct 16, 2024

Hi, Microsoft 365 Insiders! My name is Mark Rideout and I’m a Product Manager on the Office AI team. I am excited to share that we’re bringing the Draw and Hold gesture (already available in OneNote) to both Excel and PowerPoint for Windows, making it easier to create straight lines and neat shapes. 

 

Create neat lines and shapes with ink in Excel and PowerPoint for Windows

 

In early 2023, we introduced the Draw and Hold gesture in OneNote for Windows. We later brought it to Word for Windows. Today, we extend the availability of this handy tool and enable you to use it in your worksheets and presentations.

 

Animation of drawing straight lines using the Drag and Hold gesture

 

How it works 

 

  1. Open a new or existing Excel worksheet or PowerPoint presentation.
  2. Using a single stroke, sketch a line, arrow, or shape on the canvas, and then hold your pen in place for a few milliseconds.
  3. Watch as the shape is converted to a neater version of the stroke you drew.

 

Tips and tricks

 

  • This feature supports shapes such as circle, ellipse, triangle, square, rectangle, rhombus, trapezoid, pentagon, and hexagon. Add some flair with a heart and star to the mix!
  • If you’re satisfied with its appearance and location, you can leave the shape as it is. Or simply drag to resize or rotate it.

 

Availability

 

This feature is available to Beta Channel users running Version 2410 (Build 18108.20000) or later.

 

NOTE: Features are released over some time to ensure things are working smoothly. We highlight features that you may not have because they’re slowly releasing to larger numbers of Insiders. Sometimes we remove elements to further improve them based on your feedback. Though this is rare, we also reserve the option to pull a feature entirely out of the product, even if you, as an Insider, have had the opportunity to try it.  

 

Feedback

 

We want to hear from you! Please click Help > Feedback in Excel or PowerPoint for Windows to submit your thoughts about this feature.

 


Learn about the Microsoft 365 Insider program and sign up for the Microsoft 365 Insider newsletter to get the latest information about Insider features in your inbox once a month!

Updated Oct 16, 2024
Version 1.0
  • Yes! This feature is already available in Word with Office updates after July 2024. This feature does require a M365 subscription to use.

     

    thanks

    -mark

    Microsoft Product Manager