VBA & Macro Problems

How to Make Word Freeform Shape Segments Straight

Huda Qurayshi Oct 8, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to convert curved segments of a freeform shape into straight lines.

How to Make Word Freeform Shape Segments Straight

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing drawn freeform shapes in a document and trying to change the default curved paths to straight lines.
Observed behavior: Word defaults to curved segments when adding points to a shape, and there is no native setting to change the default segment type to straight.

Before you start

Before modifying shape points or running scripts, ensure your document is saved and verify that the Developer tab is enabled in your ribbon to access the VBA Editor.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a VBA Macro to Straighten All Segments

Run a VBA script to automatically convert all curved segments into straight lines across the document.

Since Microsoft Word does not offer a built-in setting to control the default segment type when drawing or adding points, utilizing a VBA macro is the most efficient way to batch-straighten segments across your freeform shapes.

Open the VBA Editor

Press Alt + F11 on your keyboard to open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) window.

Insert a New Module

Click 'Insert' in the top menu bar, then select 'Module' to create a blank workspace for your code.

Paste the Macro Code

Write or paste a VBA script designed to loop through the shapes in your ActiveDocument and set the node segment type to msoSegmentLine.

Run the Macro

Press F5 or click the 'Run' button. The macro will process the shapes and convert the curved nodes into straight segments automatically.

Use a VBA Macro to Straighten All Segments

Targeting Specific Shapes: The macro can be customized to affect only a selected shape by referencing Selection.ShapeRange instead of the entire document.

Solution 2

Manually Change Segments to Straight Lines

Use the Edit Points feature to individually change curved nodes into straight segments without using code.

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1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your device.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document containing the shapes.
3. Edit Shapes Intuitively: Go to the Insert tab, click Shapes, and use the flexible editing tools to perfectly align and format your objects.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word default to curved segments when I draw a freeform shape?

Word's freeform drawing tool is designed to smooth out points into curves for more natural, hand-drawn lines. There is currently no built-in application setting to change this default behavior to straight lines.

Where is the Edit Points tool located in Word?

To find Edit Points, click on your shape, navigate to the Shape Format tab on the top ribbon, click the Edit Shape drop-down on the far left, and choose Edit Points.

Is there a shortcut to draw straight lines with the freeform tool?

Yes. While using the freeform tool, simply click and release your mouse at each vertex instead of clicking and dragging. Clicking and dragging creates a curved path, while clicking point-to-point creates straight line segments.

Can I convert straight segments back to curved segments?

Yes. By entering the Edit Points mode and right-clicking a node, you can select 'Smooth Point' or 'Curved Segment' to restore the curve to that specific section of the shape.

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