With Microsoft Word drawings, users are able to convey complex concepts through illustrations. Whether you are an artist or not, Word's drawing features are quite simple to use, making it easy for users to add intriguing visuals to supplement the text in your Word document. You have the option to choose between two types of drawing tools: pen tools (optimal for text markup) and shapes (optimal for simple drawings).

In this step-by-step guide, you will learn about these two different approaches to drawing in Word.

  • How to draw in Word using shapes
  • How to draw in Word using pen tools

How to draw in Word using shapes

1. Use lines to draw on a Word document

  • Open your Word document. Place your cursor where you would like to start your Word drawing and click.
  • Click the "Insert" tab, then select the down caret on the "Shapes" button to open shape options.
Click the
Click the "Insert" tab, then select the down caret on the "Shapes" button. Source: All screenshots taken are from author's account.
  • Hover over the icons in the drop down menu to reveal their labels. Then, from the "Lines" section of the "Shapes" drop down menu, select either the second to last (freeform) icon or the last (scribble) icon.
  • Click the Word document to place either the freeform or scribble, and begin drawing.
Select
Select "Freeform" or "Scribble" from the "Lines" section of the "Shapes" menu. Source: Screenshot
  • Once the shape is placed, locate the "Shape Format" bar for additional shape formatting options.
Navigate to the "Shape Format" bar for more shape options. Source: Screenshot

2. Adjust shape and outline fill to customize drawing color

To change the fill color of a shape, click the "Shape Fill" button. Select no fill, a standard color, a theme color, or a custom color to fill in your Word drawing. You may also choose a gradient fill, texture fill, or a picture.

Use the
Use the "Shape Fill" panel to customize the color of drawings. Source: Screenshot

3. Use shape effects to customize drawing appearance

Click the 3D box icon underneath the "Shape Effect" panel to apply dimension to your drawing. Select your drawing, and then click your desired shape effect to apply the effect.

Use the
Use the "Shape Effect" panel to customize the look of your drawing. Source: Screenshot

4. Adjust your drawing by editing points

Select the "Edit Shape" button, and click "Edit Points". Use your cursor to manually adjust the placement of pixels on your drawing.

Select the
Select the "Edit Shape" button then click "Edit Points." Source: Screenshot

How to draw in Word using pen tools

You may notice that drawing with shapes in Word can be difficult, especially when attempting to mark up a document. In situations like this, make use of the pen tools in Microsoft Word to create art instead of drawing with shapes. Pen tools offer a variety of digital pens, highlighters, and pencils for illustrations such as document markups that require a more delicate brush stroke.

  1. Click on the "Draw" tab to open the pen tools.
Select the
Select the "Draw" tab to access pen tools. Source: Screenshot
  1. Right click any of the pen icons, then click "Modify Tool" to modify pen tool settings.
Right click the pen icon, then select
Right click the pen icon, then select "Modify Tool". Source: Screenshot
  1. Change the size, color, and effect of the pen tool by clicking any of the given options.
Change the size, color, and effect of the pen tool using the
Change the size, color, and effect of the pen tool using the "Modify Tools" panel. Source: Screenshot
  1. Click the green "+" icon to select the desired drawing tool. Pick from a pen, highlighter, or pencil tool.
Click the green
Click the green "+" button to add a new drawing tool. Source: Screenshot

Adjust your drawing using the eraser tool

Under the "Draw" tab, click the eraser tool. Select your desired eraser size from the drop down menu, then drag the eraser over the drawing you would like to remove.

Select an eraser from the drop down menu.
Select an eraser from the drop down menu. Source: Screenshot

Benefits of drawing in Word

When creating lengthy reports, including visuals helps keep your audience engaged with the material you are presenting. With Microsoft Word, creators no longer need to use multiple forms of software to create stimulating illustrations to help convey complex information.

Word offers drawing features that allow users to create freeform drawings, use shapes to create complex illustrations, and even scribble directly on the Word document itself.

For tablet users, instead of using your mouse to draw in Word, you can use your finger as a cursor to form shapes or guide the pen tool to create captivating illustrations, which is optimal for on-the-go document creation.

Next steps

The scribble tool can be difficult when using Microsoft Word to draw on a desktop. Thankfully, Word offers a variety of premade shapes that can be utilized to create illustrations.

For additional information regarding software that aids in document creation, take a look at document generation software.