Easily Manipulating PowerPoint Slide Objects

PowerPoint users have many different ways to duplicate items in the workspace. To make an exact copy, most people select the text box, effect or object and press Ctrl+D.

Alternatively, you can hold the Ctrl key while you drag an object to create a copy of it. You now have an exact copy of the object where you released your mouse button.

Another method is using the shortcut menu.Right-click on an object (and keep the right button pressed) as you drag it. When you release the mouse button, PowerPoint displays a shortcut menu and you can choose, among other things, to move or copy the object. (Use the left mouse button to choose the menu option.)

To copy an object’s formatting, select it and then click the Format Painter button. PowerPoint changes the cursor, adding a paintbrush icon to it. When you click on the object to which you want to apply the formatting, the 'copied' formatting is automatically applied.

You can double-click on the Format Painter button to keep it activated. That way, you can click on other objects to apply the formatting.