Formatting Issues

How to Subtract Star Shapes from a Rectangle in PowerPoint

Natalie Taylor Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to create a star-shaped cutout or hole inside a rectangle shape in PowerPoint.

How to Subtract Star Shapes from a Rectangle in PowerPoint

Product: PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Designing slides with custom cutout shapes, specifically trying to make a rectangle with star-shaped holes.
Observed behavior: The user needs to know the correct sequence of drawing and selecting shapes to properly use the Merge Shapes tool for subtracting or combining.

Before you start

Ensure both your star and rectangle shapes are drawn on the same slide. The order in which you select the shapes is crucial for the Merge Shapes tool to function correctly.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Merge Shapes to Combine or Subtract

Utilize PowerPoint's built-in Merge Shapes functionality to create a transparent hole inside your base rectangle.

To create a cutout, the exact method depends on whether your star shape is completely contained within the rectangle or if it overlaps the edges.

Draw the shapes

Go to the 'Insert' tab, select 'Shapes', and draw a Star shape on your slide. Next, draw a Rectangle shape over or around the star, depending on your intended design.

Select the shapes in the correct order

Click on the base Rectangle first. Then, hold down the 'Shift' or 'Ctrl' key on your keyboard and click on the Star shape. The shape you select first will determine the primary formatting and base structure.

Apply the Combine tool (if the star is fully inside)

If the star is completely inside the rectangle, navigate to the 'Shape Format' tab at the top. Click on 'Merge Shapes' and select 'Combine' from the drop-down menu. This will hollow out the star shape from the rectangle.

Apply the Subtract tool (if the star overlaps edges)

If part of the star extends outside the boundaries of the rectangle, select the base Rectangle first, hold Shift, and select the Star. Go to 'Shape Format' > 'Merge Shapes' and choose 'Subtract'.

Selection Order Matters: When using the Subtract function, always click the shape you want to keep first (the rectangle) and the shape you want to remove second (the star).

Create Custom Shapes Easily

Design Professional Slides with WPS Presentation

WPS Presentation offers advanced shape merging tools similar to PowerPoint, allowing you to seamlessly combine, subtract, and intersect shapes to create stunning custom graphics for free.

1. Insert your shapes: Open your presentation in WPS Presentation. Go to the 'Insert' tab, click 'Shapes', and draw your rectangle and star on the slide.
2. Select the shapes: Click the rectangle first to make it your base shape. Hold down the 'Shift' key and click the star shape.
3. Merge the shapes: Navigate to the 'Drawing Tools' tab that appears on the ribbon. Click on the 'Merge Shapes' icon and select 'Subtract' or 'Combine' to instantly create your star-shaped cutout.

Fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt and .pptx) formatsAdvanced Merge Shapes tool for custom graphic design and cutoutsFree to use with a familiar, highly intuitive interfaceLightweight application that runs smoothly without lagging

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Merge Shapes option grayed out in PowerPoint?

The Merge Shapes option remains grayed out until you select at least two shapes simultaneously. Hold the Shift or Ctrl key while clicking on multiple shapes to activate the tool.

Does it matter which shape I select first when subtracting?

Yes, the selection order is critical. When using the Subtract tool, PowerPoint will keep the first shape you select (the base) and remove the overlapping area of the second shape you select.

Can I change the color of the shape after combining them?

Yes. Once the shapes are merged into a single custom shape, you can change its fill color, outline, and apply effects just like you would with any standard shape from the Shape Format tab.

What is the difference between the Combine and Subtract features?

The Combine feature removes the overlapping area between selected shapes, leaving a transparent hole. The Subtract feature completely deletes the second selected shape and cuts out any area where it overlapped with the first selected shape.

Document & File Issues