How to use a single-cell table as a label

Diagrams are a great way of visually explaining complex relationships and processes. And an important part of diagrams are the callout labels that add context to, or focus on, a particular part of the diagram.

But PowerPoint shapes aren’t very helpful. You could use speech bubbles; but their spikes can block out parts of the picture. Or there are various callout shapes; but their weird adjustable lines won’t snap to the text box and it’s impossible to keep them straight.

So here’s our go-to approach: a single-cell table.

We like them because:

• They expand and shrink to match the amount of text
• Connectors snap to the handles on each side
• You can add a border to one side to provide a subtle visual clue.

And they are really easy to create:

• Insert > Table > 1 cell by 1 column
• Add the text and resize the width as needed
• Add a border to one side Add a connector. We prefer to use a circular ‘blob’ on the other end rather than an arrow.

Note: it’s also worth setting the cell margins to zero on the three sides that don’t have the border.

These labels work really well in charts as well.

Need more tips like this?

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