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How to Group Objects in PowerPoint Effectively (In Easy Steps)

November 3, 2023 671 views

When working in PowerPoint, creativity can strike at any moment, and having the ability to group objects gives you greater control over your design. Grouping objects allows you to manage and manipulate multiple elements as a single unit, making it easier to create complex visuals and maintain consistency in your presentation. In this article, we will guide you on how to group in PowerPoint, empowering you to bring your creative ideas to life with precision and efficiency.

How to Group Objects in PowerPoint Effectively

What Is Object Grouping & Ungrouping in PowerPoint?

Grouping and ungrouping in PowerPoint are essential functions that help you efficiently manage multiple objects within your presentation.

Grouping refers to the process of combining various shapes, images, or objects into a single entity. This merged group can be manipulated as if it were a single object. For example, if you have multiple shapes forming a diagram, grouping them simplifies rearranging the entire diagram on your slide.

Ungrouping, on the other hand, involves breaking apart a grouped set of objects, allowing you to edit individual elements separately. This is particularly useful when you need to make specific changes to different components within a group. For instance, you can ungroup a complex diagram to modify individual shapes or text within it.

Easiest Way to Group and Ungroup Objects in PowerPoint (Using Shortcuts)

Did you know that PowerPoint offers a simple way on how to group objects using keyboard shortcuts? Let's explore the hassle-free method of grouping in PowerPoint with just a few keyboard taps.

Step 1: In either Normal View or Slide Master View, hold down the Shift key and click on the pictures, shapes, or objects you wish to group.

PowerPoint select objects to group


Step 2: With the objects selected, press Ctrl + G on your keyboard.

PowerPoint Group objects using shortcut


Step 3: Now if you wish to ungroup these objects, simply press Ctrl + Shift + G and the objects will be ungrouped.

PowerPoint UnGroup objects using shortcut

How to Group and Ungroup Objects in PowerPoint (Step-by-Step)

Let's step  into how to group objects in PowerPoint on both Mac and Windows, using methods other than shortcuts.

  1. Windows

Grouping Objects via the Context Menu:

Step 1: In Normal View or Slide Master View, “Shift + Click” the pictures, shapes, or other objects you want to group.

PowerPoint Shift + Click to select objects


Step 2: Right-click one of the selected objects. A drop-down menu appears.

Step 3: Select "Group", and then choose "Group" from the sub-menu.

PowerPoint context menu


Step 5: The selected objects will be grouped together and have a single set of selection and rotation handles.

PowerPoint group objects using Context menu

Grouping Objects via the Ribbon:

Step 1: Select the shapes, pictures, or other objects you wish to group together using Shift + Click shortcut.

Step 2: Visit the Shape format tab located in the toolbar once the objects have been selected.

Step 3: In the Arrange group, click "Group",a drop-down menu will appear.

PowerPoint Shape Format


Step 4: Select "Group", and the selected objects will be grouped together.

  1. Mac

Here’s how Mac users can group objects in Powerpoint:

Grouping Objects Using the Context Menu on Mac:

Step 1: Hold down the Command key on your keyboard and use a click to select the objects you wish to group.

Step 2: After selecting the objects, right-click on them, choose "Group", and then click on "Group" again to complete the grouping process.

PowerPoint group using context menu on Mac

Grouping Objects Using the Ribbon Menu on Mac:

Step 1: Press and hold the Command key while using your mouse or touchpad to select the shapes, images, or objects you want to group.

Step 2: Navigate to either the Shape Format tab or the Picture Format tab, depending on your selection, and then click on "Group" followed by "Group" again.

Note: The Shape Format and Picture Format tabs will appear on the ribbon only when you have a shape or image selected.

Step 3: To form a group with your selected pictures or objects, simply click on "Group".

Mac PowerPoint group objects using Ribbon


Tips:

If you can't find the "Group" option on the ribbon, you might need to click on "Arrange" to reveal "Group." This can be found on both the Shape Format tab and the Picture Format tab; just click "Arrange" to display it.

How to Group and Ungroup PowerPoint Objects for Free via WPS Office

What Is WPS Office and Why Choose it?

WPS Office is an exceptional office suite that seamlessly rivals Microsoft Office, and once you experience its capabilities, you'll find it hard to recall the hefty costs associated with Microsoft's offerings. While both suites excel in their presentation tools, Microsoft Office brings a wealth of features, including an extensive template store, advanced functionalities, and more. Remarkably, WPS Office offers all these benefits completely free of charge, even allowing for effortless collaboration and document sharing.

WPS Office

How to Group and Ungroup Objects in WPS Office?

Grouping objects in WPS Office is very similar to Microsoft PowerPoint, a point of difference is the cleaner interface of WPS Office which makes doing tasks a little more pleasant. Let’s step into the tutorial to learn how to group powerpoint objects using WPS Office:

Step 1: Select the pictures, shapes, or objects you want to group by holding down the Shift key and clicking on them.

WPS Office select shapes

Step 2: With the objects selected, press Ctrl + G on your keyboard to group them together.

WPS Office Group using shortcut

Step 4: To group objects using the Context menu, right-click one of the selected objects.

Step 5: From the drop-down menu, choose "Group", then "Group" from the sub-menu.

WPS Office Group using Context menu

Step 6: To group objects using the ribbon In the Arrange group, click "Group" from the Drawing tools tab in the Ribbon.

WPS Office Group using Ribbon

WPS Office stands out as a compelling alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint for several key reasons. Its user-friendly interface simplifies various tasks, and the wealth of online learning resources accessible through WPS Academy makes it even more beginner-friendly. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned professional, WPS Office caters to a wide range of users, making it a top choice for many. Don't hesitate to explore it yourself and discover why so many people prefer WPS Office.

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FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between grouping and ungrouping in PowerPoint?

The method of grouping in PowerPoint allows you to combine many objects so that they may be formatted or moved all at once. When you wish to make the identical modifications to numerous items at once, it is very helpful. Ungrouping, on the other hand, separates these objects and lets you change each one separately. When you need to make precise modifications to particular elements of a grouped object, it might be useful.

Q2. Can I group text boxes and images together in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can group text boxes and images together in PowerPoint. Here's how:

Step 1: Select the text boxes and images you want to group by holding down the Shift key while clicking on them.

Step 2: From the Format tab, click the Group command, then select Group.

Now, the selected text boxes and images will be grouped together and can be moved or resized as a single unit.

Empower Your Presentation Design with Effective Object Grouping

Grouping is a pivotal function, simplifying tasks when dealing with numerous images or dynamic objects within your presentation slides. That's why learning how to group in PowerPoint is of utmost importance, prompting the creation of this informative guide. However, you might wonder, why opt for Microsoft PowerPoint alone? There's a compelling alternative – WPS Office. It's not only free but also shares similarities with PowerPoint, offering a rich array of features beyond grouping. What sets it apart is its user-friendly interface, making it a seamless choice. Take the step to download WPS Office and witness how it streamlines your tasks with utmost ease


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.