Grouping Slide Objects in PowerPoint 2003 and 2002 for Windows

When you have many (or more than one) slide objects on a slide that you want to manipulate in the same way, you might want to consider grouping them. Grouping can be helpful in the following scenarios:

• You want to animate several slide objects at the same time as a single object.
• You have too many objects on the slide, and want them all grouped so that you don't have to select them individually all the time.
• Or maybe you just like to have all objects on your slide organized.

Once slide objects are grouped, PowerPoint allows you to perform many tasks in an easier and faster manner. Follow these steps to group objects in PowerPoint 2002 and 2003. For a PowerPoint 2007 specific version of this tutorial, look here.

1. Make sure you have more than one object on a slide, as shown in Figure 1, below.
2. 
   Figure 1: Place objects on slide
2. Next, select all the shapes you want to group. You can use the following methods to select:
• Select one shape and then hold down the Shift or Ctrl key while you select other shapes.
• Drag a marquee around the shapes.
• Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all the objects on the slide.


PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts

Do you want more keyboard shortcuts?

Explore our PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts and Sequences Ebook that is updated for all PowerPoint versions.

3. Now, choose either of these options to group the objects:
1. Right-click the selected objects carefully to bring up the contextual menu, as shown in Figure 2, below. Then, choose the Grouping | Group option.
2. 
   Figure 2: Group
2. Alternatively, access PowerPoint's Drawing toolbar, and choose Draw | Group, as shown in Figure 3, below.
3. 
   Figure 3: Drawing toolbar

No Drawing Toolbar?

If the Drawing toolbar is not visible (normally at the bottom of the PowerPoint interface, above the status bar), choose View | Toolbars | Drawing. This is a toggle option that alternatively shows and hides the Drawing toolbar. Learn more about the PowerPoint 2003 interface here.
3. The easiest option is to use the shortcut key: Ctrl + Shift + G. Explore our Grouping and Ungrouping Shortcut Keys tutorial for more shortcut keys.
4. Save your presentation.

Problems with Grouping? See our Grouping in PowerPoint Troubleshooting tutorial page.