Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Sketched Line Style Disabled in Word and PowerPoint for Mac

Ayan Masood Oct 10, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user is unable to apply the Sketched line style to standalone lines created with the standard line tools in Word and PowerPoint for Mac.

How to Fix Sketched Line Style Disabled in Word and PowerPoint for Mac

Product: Word and PowerPoint
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Drawing lines in a document or presentation and attempting to apply the Sketched style formatting.
Observed behavior: The Sketched line style is disabled or unavailable for standard standalone lines, although it works for certain line-based shapes and shape outlines.

Before you start

Ensure you are using a Microsoft 365 subscription or a recent version of Office for Mac, as the Sketched style feature is not supported in older standalone versions.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Curve, Freeform, or Scribble Tool

Bypass the limitation of standard lines by using alternative drawing tools that fully support the Sketched style as a shape property.

Microsoft Office treats standard lines differently than closed shapes or advanced paths. By using the Curve or Freeform tool, the application registers your line as a fully editable shape, unlocking advanced formatting options like the Sketched style and Edit Points.

Select the Curve tool

Navigate to the Insert tab on the ribbon, click on Shapes, and select the Curve tool (or the Freeform/Scribble tool) from the drop-down menu.

Draw a straight line

To create a perfectly straight line, click once at your desired starting point on the canvas, and then double-click at the ending point.

Apply the Sketched style

Click to select the newly drawn line, go to the Shape Format tab, click on Shape Outline, and the Sketched line styles will now be available for you to apply.

Use the Curve, Freeform, or Scribble Tool

Additional Benefit: Lines created using these alternative tools also allow you to use the Edit Points feature, giving you greater control over the shape's geometry.

Solution 2

Apply Sketched Style to Shape Outlines

If you do not explicitly need a standalone line, you can utilize the Sketched style on the outline of a standard geometric shape.

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Try WPS Office for Seamless Document & Presentation Design on Mac

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Sketched line style disabled for standard lines?

In Word and PowerPoint for Mac, standard lines drawn with the basic line tool are not treated as full shapes with customizable outlines. This architectural quirk restricts the use of advanced outline styling, like the Sketched effect, on those specific elements.

Can I use the Edit Points feature on a standard straight line in Mac?

No, standard lines do not support the Edit Points feature. You must draw the line using the Curve, Freeform, or Scribble tool to enable Edit Points and other advanced shape formatting capabilities.

Is the Sketched style available in older versions of Office for Mac?

The Sketched outline style was introduced for Microsoft 365 subscribers and in newer versions of Office for Mac (Office 2019 and later). It is not available in older legacy versions like Office 2016.

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