Reset SmartArt Graphics in PowerPoint 2010 for Windows

The fact that SmartArt allows so much customization in PowerPoint by applying new colors or styles means that your SmartArt graphic may not be quite the same as what you started with. Also, you may have resized or moved individual shapes within the SmartArt graphic, and there's no real undo for any of these options once you save and close your presentation file. If you do need to undo all of the customizations, you can do so by restoring the default layout and colors of the entire SmartArt graphic using the Reset option.

In this tutorial, you will learn how you can restore a SmartArt graphic to its default layout and colors, and get rid of any other customizations in PowerPoint 2010 for Windows:

1. Select your existing SmartArt graphic, as shown in Figure 1, below.
2. 
   Figure 1: Horizontal Picture List SmartArt with color and style applied
2. When the SmartArt graphic is selected, you'll find two contextual tabs activated on the Ribbon. These are the SmartArt Tools Design and the SmartArt Tools Format tabs, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 2, below. Select the SmartArt Tools Design tab.
3. 
   Figure 2: SmartArt Tools Design tab selected

Contextual Tabs

The SmartArt Tool Design and SmartArt Tool Format tabs are contextual tabs. These tabs are special tabs in the Ribbon that are not visible all the time. They only make an appearance when you are working with a particular slide object which can be edited using special options.
3. Within the SmartArt Tools Design tab, locate the Reset group, then click the Reset Graphic button, as shown in Figure 3, below.
4. 
   Figure 3: Reset Graphic button
4. Doing so restores the SmartArt graphic’s default look by removing all customizations, as shown in Figure 4, below. Although this process resets color choices and the layout, it does retain any pictures you add in SmartArt picture placeholders.
5. 
   Figure 4: SmartArt restored to its default state
6. Alternatively, you can right-click the SmartArt graphic to bring up a context menu, and choose the Reset Graphic option, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 5, below.
7. 
   Figure 5: Reset Graphic option
5. Save your presentation often.