In PowerPoint, is there a way to convert a group of objects into just one object?

Question

I am using a tool that automatically updates PowerPoint files. The more objects that are contained in the file, the longer it takes the tool to run.

I have a file with a huge number of objects. Hundreds of freeform shapes are grouped together to form several icons. I am wondering, is there an easy way to convert these groups of freeform shapes into just one object?

The hard way is to convert the group of free form shapes to an image and replace all the groups with images, but that is kind of tedious.

@Raystafarian When I combine the shapes they all change to a single color and it no longer looks like a picture. — user1744318, Sep 17 '13 at 16:27
yikes, seems like a big problem. You could try the combine fragment but then you'd have to go back and re-colorize them. I can't think of anything else besides the "hard way" as you described. — Raystafarian, Sep 17 '13 at 18:34

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 09 '18 at 23:58

1

Select the shapes you want to "merge"
Copy them to the clipboard
Delete them or move them out of the way temporarily
Use the arrow next to Paste to choose Paste Special and choose PNG (right clicking does not give the PNG option)

The shapes are now combined into a single image.

edited Apr 09 '18 at 23:58

papercuts

28

answered Oct 02 '13 at 22:05

Steve Rindsberg

5,760

1

When pasting, I saw two options: Use Destination Format and Picture. Picture did what you described. – user1744318 Nov 01 '13 at 00:55
How is this possibly an answer to the question..? If that's an acceptable answer then why not just take a screenshot of the fragmented shape and then just paste to PowerPoint...? – Noobster Mar 12 '20 at 07:15
1

How is this possibly an answer to the question..? Because it converts a large number of shapes to a single object, as requested. >> If that's an acceptable answer then why not just take a screenshot of the fragmented shape and then just paste to PowerPoint. Because a screenshot would include whatever's behind/around the selected shapes.
– Steve Rindsberg Mar 13 '20 at 02:01
Agreed, this eliminates any finicking you would have to do to capture just the grouped items in a screenshot. – I'm_With_Stupid Dec 05 '22 at 21:47

In PowerPoint, is there a way to convert a group of objects into just one object?

1 Answers1