Venn diagrams are useful when you want to show logical relationships between sets using a graphic. In PowerPoint it is very easy to create these kinds of diagrams.
2 Methods for creating a Venn diagram in Microsoft PowerPoint:
- Using Basic Shapes
- Using SmartArt
We will show you both methods in simple, step-by-step instructions.
Let us begin.
Method #1: Using Basic Shapes
Although most Venn diagrams use circles, you can use any other shape.
Step #1: Open a PowerPoint presentation
Open a new or existing presentation.
Navigate to the slide where you want the Venn diagram to appear.
Step #2: Insert oval shapes
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
On the Insert ribbon, in the section Illustrations, click on the Shapes icon.
- This will open a menu with various shapes.
- Under Basic Shapes, click on the Oval icon. You can pick any shape of your choice.
- We will use the Oval shape for our example diagram.
- The cursor will change to a cross.
- Position the cursor anywhere in the slide.
- Click and drag the cursor to draw a circle.
- Use the handles to position, rotate, and size the circle. The handles are located on the edge of your image, and are indicated in red below.
- Repeat Step #2 and insert two more circles.
Step #3: Insert chord shapes
Repeat Step #2 and insert two Chords.
(Under Basic Shapes, click on the Chord icon).
Use the handles, shown in red below, to position, rotate and resize the chords.
Step #4: Annotate the shapes
- Click on the middle circle.
- Right-click inside the circle to open a menu.
- Click on Format Shape… at the bottom.
- This will open a Format Shape dialog box on the right.
- Under Shape Options, click on the Fill & Line icon.
- Click on Fill.
- This will expand the Fill dialog box.
- Click and select Solid fill.
- Click on the icon next to Color.
- This will open the colors menu.
- Choose a suitable color.
- We have selected Yellow under Standard Colors.
- Click on the Transparency slider and drag it to 50%.
- Repeat Step #4 for the circle on the right and make it Light Yellow and transparent as well.
- For the circle on the left, we select the Blue color.
- For the chord on the right, we select the Green color.
- For the chord on the left, we select the Blue color.
Step #5: Reposition the shapes
Click on each shape and drag them to form your Venn diagram. To do so, move your cursor over the shape until your cursor changes to crosshairs. Click on the image to select it and move it where needed by dragging it with your mouse.
Step #6: Add text
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Text, click on the Text Box icon.
- The cursor will change to a cross.
- Position the cross inside the slide, click and drag to form a text box.
- Type in the text you want in the text box.
Click on the text and move the text box to where you want it. To do so, move your mouse over the box until the cursor changes and becomes crosshairs. Click on the text box to select it and move it where needed by dragging it with your mouse.
Create more text boxes and position them suitably.
Add more shapes as necessary.
Your Venn diagram, using shapes, is now ready.
Method #2: Using SmartArt
This method uses built-in Venn diagrams.
Step #1: Open a PowerPoint presentation
Open a new or existing presentation.
Navigate to the slide where you want the Venn diagram to appear.
Step #2: Insert SmartArt image
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Illustrations, click on the SmartArt icon.
This will open a menu with various SmartArt Graphics.
The menu has three panes:
- The left pane shows all the groups of SmartArt Graphics.
- The center pane shows icons for the different graphics in the group selected in the left pane.
- The right pane shows an image of the graphics selected in the center pane.
In the left pane, click on the Relationship tab.
In the center pane, scroll down to the end.
Depending on your requirement, select one of the five Venn diagram icons.
For our example, we click on the Basic Venn icon.
The SmartArt Graphics menu will close, and an image of your selected Venn diagram appears in the slide.
Use the handles, indicated in red below, to resize and reposition the image.
Step #3: Annotate the image
Click on [Text] and modify it with the descriptions you want.
Step #4: Add more text
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Text, click on the Text Box icon.
The cursor will change to a cross.
Position the cross inside the slide, click and drag to form a text box.
Fill it in with the text you want.
Change the font size as needed.
Click on the text and move the text box to where you want it. To do so, move your mouse over the box until the cursor changes and becomes crosshairs. Click on the text box to select it and move it where needed by dragging it with your mouse.
Create more text boxes and position them as needed.
Step #5: Change the colors
Right-click inside the top circle to open a menu.
Click on Format Shape… at the bottom.
This will open a Format Shape dialog box on the right.
Under Shape Options, click on the Fill & Line icon.
Click on Fill.
This will expand the dialog box.
Click and select Solid fill.
Click on the icon next to Color.
This will open the Colors menu.
Choose a suitable color.
We have selected Yellow under Standard Colors.
Click on the Transparency slider and drag it to 50%.
Repeat Step #5 for the circle on the right, select the Red color.
Repeat Step #5 for the circle on the left, select the Blue color.
Create more text boxes and position them as needed.
Your Venn diagram, using SmartArt, is now ready.
Conclusion
We have shown you two easy methods to create a Venn diagram in PowerPoint. Use any of them to make your presentation more meaningful.