Word 2002 (and later) comes with a wealth of
AutoShapes that you can use to build flow charts, room plans, and
banners for your letterheads. These AutoShapes come with sizing
handles that appear when you select the object. By manipulating the
sizing handles with the mouse, you can change the size, shape and
position of an AutoShape to build your own custom drawings.

To change the size of an AutoShape, click the
object to make the handles visible. Then, click and drag one of the
sizing handles to the desired size. Depending on which handle you
select, you may end up distorting the image when you try to enlarge
or reduce it. To resize an object without changing its proportions,
press [Shift] while dragging a sizing handle. To resize without
changing the object’s position, press [CRTL] while dragging a
sizing handle.

To change the shape of an AutoShape object,
drag the yellow, diamond-shaped reshaping handle (e.g., dragging
the yellow handle can change the length of an arrow head.). Drag
the green, round rotation handle to rotate the object.

You can also use the mouse to move or copy an
object. To move an object: place the mouse pointer anywhere over
the object but not over a handle. When the pointer shows a
cross-arrows, click and drag the object to the desired position.
Or, you can simply select the object and press the arrow keys to
move it to the desired position.

To copy an AutoShape, place the mouse pointer
anywhere over the object but not over a handle. When the pointer
displays cross-arrows, press [CTRL] and drag the copy of the object
to the desired location.

Help users increase productivity by automatically signing up for TechRepublic’s free Microsoft Office Suite newsletter, featuring Word, Excel, and Access tips, delivered each Wednesday.