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Autoshapes are predefined shapes like rectangles, circles, triangles, stars, and callouts. PowerPoint provides 182 different autoshape types, with 120 offering adjustment handles for customization.

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Adding autoshapes

Add autoshapes using the add_shape() method with a shape type from MSO_SHAPE: 
from pptx import Presentation
from pptx.util import Inches
from pptx.enum.shapes import MSO_SHAPE

prs = Presentation()
slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[5])

# Add a rounded rectangle
left = top = width = height = Inches(1.0)
shape = slide.shapes.add_shape(
    MSO_SHAPE.ROUNDED_RECTANGLE, left, top, width, height
)

prs.save('autoshape-example.pptx')

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Available shape types

The MSO_SHAPE enumeration provides 182 shape types: 
from pptx.enum.shapes import MSO_SHAPE

# Basic shapes
MSO_SHAPE.RECTANGLE
MSO_SHAPE.ROUNDED_RECTANGLE
MSO_SHAPE.OVAL
MSO_SHAPE.TRIANGLE
MSO_SHAPE.DIAMOND
MSO_SHAPE.PENTAGON
MSO_SHAPE.HEXAGON

# Arrows
MSO_SHAPE.RIGHT_ARROW
MSO_SHAPE.LEFT_ARROW
MSO_SHAPE.UP_ARROW
MSO_SHAPE.DOWN_ARROW
MSO_SHAPE.LEFT_RIGHT_ARROW

# Callouts
MSO_SHAPE.RECTANGULAR_CALLOUT
MSO_SHAPE.ROUNDED_RECTANGULAR_CALLOUT
MSO_SHAPE.OVAL_CALLOUT
MSO_SHAPE.CLOUD_CALLOUT

# Stars and banners
MSO_SHAPE.STAR_5
MSO_SHAPE.STAR_8
MSO_SHAPE.RIBBON
MSO_SHAPE.WAVE

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Understanding EMU (English Metric Units)

PowerPoint internally uses EMU for measurements. python-pptx provides conversion utilities: 
from pptx.util import Inches, Cm, Pt, Emu

# All these equal 1 inch:
Inches(1)      # → 914400 EMU
Cm(2.54)       # → 914400 EMU
Pt(72)         # → 914400 EMU
Emu(914400)    # → 914400 EMU

# Convert back to different units
length = Inches(1)
print(length.inches)  # → 1.0
print(length.cm)      # → 2.54
print(length.pt)      # → 72.0

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Position and dimensions

Control shape position and size: 
from pptx.enum.shapes import MSO_SHAPE
from pptx.util import Inches

shape = slide.shapes.add_shape(
    MSO_SHAPE.ROUNDED_RECTANGLE,
    left=Inches(1),
    top=Inches(2),
    width=Inches(3),
    height=Inches(2)
)

# Read current dimensions
print(f"Left: {shape.left.inches} inches")
print(f"Top: {shape.top.inches} inches")
print(f"Width: {shape.width.inches} inches")
print(f"Height: {shape.height.inches} inches")

# Modify position and size
shape.left = Inches(2.0)
shape.top = Inches(3.0)
shape.width = Inches(4.0)
shape.height = Inches(3.0)

​
Fill formatting

Customize the interior appearance of shapes: 
from pptx.dml.color import RGBColor

fill = shape.fill
fill.solid()
fill.fore_color.rgb = RGBColor(0xFF, 0x00, 0x00)  # Red

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Theme colors

Available theme color options from MSO_THEME_COLOR:
  • ACCENT_1 through ACCENT_6 - Theme accent colors
  • BACKGROUND_1, BACKGROUND_2 - Background colors
  • DARK_1, DARK_2 - Dark theme colors
  • LIGHT_1, LIGHT_2 - Light theme colors
  • HYPERLINK - Hyperlink color
  • FOLLOWED_HYPERLINK - Followed hyperlink color

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Line formatting

Customize shape outlines: 
from pptx.util import Pt
from pptx.dml.color import RGBColor
from pptx.enum.dml import MSO_THEME_COLOR

line = shape.line

# Set color
line.color.rgb = RGBColor(0xFF, 0x00, 0x00)  # Red outline

# Or use theme color
line.color.theme_color = MSO_THEME_COLOR.ACCENT_6
line.color.brightness = 0.5  # 50% lighter

# Set width
line.width = Pt(2.5)

# Remove outline (transparent)
line.fill.background()

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Shape adjustments

Many autoshapes have adjustment handles (yellow diamonds in PowerPoint) that modify their appearance: 
from pptx.enum.shapes import MSO_SHAPE

shape = slide.shapes.add_shape(
    MSO_SHAPE.ROUNDED_RECTANGLE,
    Inches(1), Inches(1),
    Inches(2), Inches(2)
)

# Access adjustments
adjs = shape.adjustments

# Check number of adjustments
print(len(adjs))  # Rounded rectangle has 1 adjustment

# Set adjustment value (0.0 to 1.0)
adjs[0] = 0.15  # More rounded corners

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Understanding adjustment values

Adjustment values are normalized floats:
  • Nominal range: 0.0 to 1.0
  • Value of 0.5: Typically represents 50% of shape width/height
  • Negative values: Valid, may extend beyond shape boundaries
  • Values > 1.0: Valid, may extend beyond shape boundaries

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Complex shape adjustments

Shapes can have multiple adjustments (up to 8): 
from pptx.enum.shapes import MSO_SHAPE

# Callout with multiple adjustments
callout = slide.shapes.add_shape(
    MSO_SHAPE.LINE_CALLOUT_2_ACCENT_BAR,
    Inches(1), Inches(1),
    Inches(3), Inches(2)
)

adjs = callout.adjustments

# Configure callout pointer
adjs[0] = 0.5   # Vertical position of junction
adjs[1] = 0.0   # Horizontal position of margin line
adjs[2] = 0.5   # Vertical position of elbow
adjs[3] = -0.1  # Horizontal position of elbow
adjs[4] = 3.0   # Vertical position of line end
adjs[5] = -0.2  # Horizontal position of line end

​
Rotation

Rotate shapes by setting the rotation property: 
shape = slide.shapes.add_shape(
    MSO_SHAPE.RIGHT_ARROW,
    Inches(1), Inches(1),
    Inches(3), Inches(1)
)

# Rotate 45 degrees counter-clockwise
shape.rotation = -45.0

# Rotate 90 degrees clockwise
shape.rotation = 90.0

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Adding text to shapes

All autoshapes can contain text via their text frame: 
from pptx.util import Pt
from pptx.enum.text import PP_ALIGN

shape = slide.shapes.add_shape(
    MSO_SHAPE.ROUNDED_RECTANGLE,
    Inches(1), Inches(1),
    Inches(4), Inches(2)
)

# Add text
text_frame = shape.text_frame
text_frame.text = 'Hello World'

# Format text
p = text_frame.paragraphs[0]
p.alignment = PP_ALIGN.CENTER
p.font.size = Pt(24)
p.font.bold = True
See the Working with text guide for complete text formatting options.

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Complete examples

from pptx import Presentation
from pptx.util import Inches, Pt
from pptx.enum.shapes import MSO_SHAPE
from pptx.enum.text import PP_ALIGN
from pptx.dml.color import RGBColor

prs = Presentation()
slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[5])

def add_flowchart_shape(shape_type, text, left, top, color):
    shape = slide.shapes.add_shape(
        shape_type,
        Inches(left), Inches(top),
        Inches(2), Inches(1)
    )
    
    # Fill
    fill = shape.fill
    fill.solid()
    fill.fore_color.rgb = color
    
    # Text
    text_frame = shape.text_frame
    text_frame.text = text
    p = text_frame.paragraphs[0]
    p.alignment = PP_ALIGN.CENTER
    p.font.size = Pt(14)
    p.font.bold = True
    
    return shape

# Add flowchart shapes
add_flowchart_shape(
    MSO_SHAPE.ROUNDED_RECTANGLE, 'Start',
    3, 0.5, RGBColor(0x5B, 0x9B, 0xD5)
)
add_flowchart_shape(
    MSO_SHAPE.RECTANGLE, 'Process',
    3, 2, RGBColor(0x70, 0xAD, 0x47)
)
add_flowchart_shape(
    MSO_SHAPE.DIAMOND, 'Decision',
    3, 3.5, RGBColor(0xFF, 0xC0, 0x00)
)
add_flowchart_shape(
    MSO_SHAPE.ROUNDED_RECTANGLE, 'End',
    3, 5.5, RGBColor(0xC5, 0x50, 0x4E)
)

prs.save('flowchart.pptx')

​
Best practices

  • Use Inches(), Cm(), or Pt() for measurements instead of raw EMU values
  • Use theme colors when possible for consistency across presentations
  • Test adjustment values interactively in PowerPoint before coding
  • Group related shapes using the grouping functionality
  • Set explicit dimensions rather than relying on defaults
  • Use descriptive variable names when working with multiple adjustments
  • Consider shape rotation for dynamic layouts
To explore adjustment values, add a shape in PowerPoint, adjust it manually, then examine the XML using tools like opc-diag to see the generated values.

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