How to Enable Drawing and Ruler Tools in PowerPoint 2019
Question details
The user needs to locate and enable the Drawing and Ruler commands that are currently unavailable in their presentation software.
- Product
- Microsoft PowerPoint 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to use the ruler for alignment or drawing tools for annotations during presentation creation, but unable to locate the necessary features in the interface.
- Observed behavior
- The Drawing and Ruler commands are either entirely missing from the ribbon or appear grayed out and unclickable.
Before modifying your application settings, navigate to the default 'View' tab on your ribbon to verify if the Ruler checkbox is simply unselected.
Add Missing Tools via Ribbon and Quick Access Customization
Use the built-in customization settings to manually add the Ruler and Drawing tools back to your Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) or main ribbon tabs.
Depending on your exact Office 2019 edition and whether you are using a touch-enabled device, some drawing tools might be hidden by default. Customizing the ribbon allows you to force these tools to appear.
Right-click on any empty area of the PowerPoint ribbon at the top of the screen and select 'Customize the Quick Access Toolbar' or 'Customize the Ribbon'.
In the customization window, locate the 'Choose commands from' dropdown menu and change it from 'Popular Commands' to 'All Commands'.
Scroll down the alphabetical list to find 'Ruler' and the specific 'Drawing' tools you need. Select them, click the 'Add' button to move them to your custom interface, and click 'OK' to save your changes.
Repair Your Office Installation
If the tools remain missing or grayed out after customization, run an Office repair to fix potentially corrupted installation files.
Use WPS Presentation for Reliable Drawing and Ruler Tools
If Microsoft PowerPoint is constantly experiencing missing features or grayed-out ribbons, consider switching to WPS Presentation. It provides highly intuitive layout and drawing tools out of the box without requiring complex interface troubleshooting.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free office suite and complete the quick installation process.
- 2. Open Your Presentation: Launch WPS Presentation and open your existing .pptx files seamlessly.
- 3. Enable the Ruler: Navigate directly to the 'View' tab and check the 'Ruler' box to display alignment guides immediately.
- 4. Access Drawing Tools: Click on the 'Insert' or 'Tools' tab to find rich shape, drawing, and annotation features ready to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Draw tab completely missing in Office 2019?
The Draw tab is sometimes hidden by default on standard desktop computers without touchscreens. You can easily enable it by right-clicking the ribbon, selecting 'Customize the Ribbon', and checking the 'Draw' box in the Main Tabs list.
What should I do if the Drawing tools are grayed out?
Drawing tools and commands usually appear grayed out if you are trying to edit a read-only document, or if no slide/object is actively selected. Ensure you click inside a slide or click 'Enable Editing' if you downloaded the file from the internet.
Will running an Office repair delete my PowerPoint files?
No, running an Office repair through the Windows Control Panel only fixes corrupted application settings, missing registry keys, and software files. Your personal presentations and documents remain completely safe and untouched.
