Format a shape in Visio

Apply formatting quickly by using shape styles

The quickest way to add color to a shape is with the menu of preset shape styles.

1. Select the shape you want to change.

2. On the toolbar, go to Home > Shape Styles:

   

3. Open the gallery of styles and select an option, all of which match your drawing’s color theme. Options include different colors, gradients, and line styles.

Apply formatting manually

You can apply formatting more precisely by using the Format Shape pane, as described below:

1. Select the shape or shapes you want to change.

2. Right-click the shape and select Format Shape.

   The Format Shape pane opens. 

3. On the  (Fill & Line) tab, select the type of fill, then select a color. 

4. If you want a border on the shape, under Line, select the line type and color. Then select any other options you want such as Transparency, Width, Dash type and Cap type. 

5. To apply an effect (such as Shadow, Reflection, Glow, or 3D appearance, select the  (Effects) tab at the top of the pane, and explore the available options. 

Choose a custom color to apply

You can apply a custom color by specifying a red-green-blue color combination or a hexadecimal color code, or by choosing from the color canvas.

1. Select one or more shapes.

2. Select Home > Fill .

3. Select More Colors > Custom.

4. You can specify a red-green-blue color combination or a hex value for a custom color, or you can choose a color directly from the color map. 

   

5. To select a custom outline color, select Home > Line , then select More Colors.

Change the line weight of a shape

1. Select the shape.

2. On the Home tab, in the Shape Styles section, select Line > Weight, then select the thickness you want.

   (The Line menu also lets you change the line style. Use the Dashes or Arrows option to choose the kind of line you want.)

   Tip: For more precise sizing of line weight, you can right-click a shape and select Format Shape, then select Line and choose the exact Width you want, in increments of .25 pts. 

See Also

Apply transparency to a shape

Select, move, resize, and rotate shapes

Apply a color, line style, gradient, and effect independently

1. Select one or more shapes. 

2. Select the Shape tab on the toolbar ribbon. 

3. Select Shape > Shape Fill , then select an option from the gallery that appears. 

   The  Shape Fill menu also has a Transparency option so that you can adjust the opacity of a shape to reveal text or another shape behind it.

4. If you want a border on the shape, select   Shape Outline, then select an option from the gallery that appears.

   You can also change the line, weight, dashes, or arrows (if you have selected a connector line).

Choose a custom color to apply

1. Select one or more shapes.

2. To fill the shape with a theme or standard color, select Shape > Shape Fill  > More Fill Colors to define a custom color.

   

3. To apply a custom color to the shape's border, select Shape > Shape Outline  > More Outline Colors.

Change the line weight of a shape

1. Select the shape.

2. On the Shape tab, select   Shape Outline > Weight, then select the thickness you want.

   (The Shape Outline menu also lets you change the line style. Use the Dash or Arrows option to choose the kind of line you want.)

   Tip: For more precise sizing of line weight, you can right-click a shape and select Format Options. Then, in Format Options pane, select Line and choose the exact Weight you want, in increments of .25 pts. In the Format Options pane, you can also choose the outline and fill colors of a shape, including custom colors. 

See Also

Change the size, rotation, and order of a shape in Visio for the web

Apply transparency to a shape