How to part-fill icons for quick infographics
If your document needs to present simples numbers or stats to people, then an infographic style can really help to get that information across. Here’s one idea you can use: part-filled icons to represent percentages or fractions.
You can create this right in PowerPoint — no special tools needed.
Step 1: Choose an icon. I recommend starting with the inbuilt icons. Or there is a list of icon websites here. Select a solid icon, rather than an outline style.
Step 2: Convert to shape. Select the icon, go to the Graphics Format tab and click Convert to Shape.
Step 3: Part fill the icon. Follow the instructions here, setting your % fill to match the number you are illustrating.
Step 4: Add a clear caption explaining what the number represents.
There are a few different formats you could use, according to the style of your deck.
You don’t have to use icons, you could use PowerPoint shapes such as arrows, chevrons, or triangles. Just pick an image that your readers will easily connect to your content.
Having problems with multi-part icons?
Sometimes when you convert an icon to a shape, it becomes multiple objects and the gradient fill will apply to each part separately and looks wrong. To fix that:
- Select all the parts
- Shape Format tab
- Merge Shapes dropdown
- Select Union
Now the gradient will apply to the whole icon as a single object.
Need more tips like this?
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