Office Settings & Configuration

Why Is the PowerPoint Shape Selection Box Black?

Natalie Taylor Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are trying to understand why the selection bounding box around shapes in PowerPoint has changed to black instead of the traditional blue.

Why Is the PowerPoint Shape Selection Box Black?

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Selecting and editing inserted shapes in a presentation after a recent application update.
Observed behavior: When clicking on a shape, the selection box outline appears black. The shape itself retains its normal inserted color and formatting.

Before you start

Verify your current Microsoft Office version, as this change was introduced in a recent update across multiple Office programs.

Solution 1Recommended

Understand the Accessibility Update and Submit Feedback

Learn why the selection box changed to black and how to report it to Microsoft if you find the new design disruptive.

The black selection box is not a bug or a glitch. It is an intentional high-contrast accessibility design change introduced in a recent Microsoft Office update to assist users with visual impairments.

Currently, this design change cannot be modified or reverted back to blue at the user level. However, if this new high-contrast bounding box disrupts your workflow, Microsoft encourages users to submit feedback directly through the application.

Open the Help Menu

Launch Microsoft PowerPoint and navigate to the 'Help' tab located on the top ribbon.

Submit Feedback

Click on 'Feedback' (or 'Send Feedback') to open the reporting pane.

Detail Your Experience

Explain that the black high-contrast selection box is disruptive to your workflow. Be sure to include your specific operating system and Office version in the report.

Understand the Accessibility Update and Submit Feedback

Shape Colors Remain Unaffected: Although the selection bounding box is black, your shapes will continue to insert and print with their normal designated colors.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Presentation for a Familiar and Customizable Interface

If forced design changes in Microsoft Office are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. WPS Presentation provides a lightweight, free, and highly compatible alternative with a classic, user-friendly interface that feels instantly familiar.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
2. Open Your Presentation: Launch WPS Presentation and open your existing .pptx files directly with full formatting compatibility.
3. Edit with Ease: Insert and select shapes using the familiar, non-disruptive selection bounding boxes you are used to.

Familiar selection styles and classic UI design without forced high-contrast disruptionsFully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) formatsLightweight, fast, and completely free to useSeamless migration with no learning curve required

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the black shape selection box back to blue in PowerPoint?

Currently, there is no user-level setting to revert this change. The black selection box was introduced intentionally by an Office update for high-contrast accessibility purposes.

Does this black selection box affect the color of my inserted shapes?

No, the shape itself will retain its original formatting and color. Only the outline of the selection bounding box is black while you are actively selecting the object.

Is this black selection box issue limited to PowerPoint?

No, users have reported that this high-contrast design change affects multiple programs across the Microsoft Office suite, including Word and Excel, following the recent update.

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