Applies ToPublisher for Microsoft 365 Publisher 2021 Publisher 2019 Publisher 2016 Publisher 2013 Publisher 2010

Important: After October 2026, Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported. Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer have access. Learn more about Publisher retirement.

In Publisher, you can add a shadow effect to pictures, AutoShapes, WordArt, or text boxes.

  1. Select the picture, AutoShape, WordArt, or text box that you want to change.

  2. On the Format tab, click Text Effects or Shape Effects > Shadow.

    Add a shadow to a shape

  3. Do one of the following:

    Add or remove a shadow

    • To add a shadow, click the shadow style you want.

    • To remove a shadow, click No Shadow.

    Change the direction of the shadow

    • To change the direction of a shadow, click a shadow that goes the direction you want.

    Change the distance of the shadow from the object

    • Click Shadow Options, and then in the Format Shape dialog box, move the Distance slider to get the effect you want.

      Format Shape dialog box

    Change the color of a shadow

    Click Shadow Options, and then in the Format Shape dialog box, click the arrow next to Color.

    Change shadow color

    • To change to a color in the color scheme, click one of the eight colors displayed in the first row.

    • To change to a color that isn't in the color scheme, click the color you want. To see more colors, click More Colors, and then click the Standard tab or the Custom tab.

    • To change the shadow color so that you can see through it, move the Transparency slider to get the effect you want.

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