How can I create a double curved arrow in PowerPoint?

A businesswoman in a grey blazer presents a PowerPoint slide on a large screen to a group of colleagues in a modern office. She gestures towards the screen, while the attentive group, consisting of three men and one woman, looks on. Bright light filters through the windows.

Creating a double curved arrow in PowerPoint can be useful for demonstrating flow, cycles, or relationships between elements. While PowerPoint doesn’t have a built-in double curved arrow shape, you can create one using the Arc shape and lines. Here’s a step-by-step guide to do this:

Method 1: Using Two Arc Shapes to Form a Double Curved Arrow

Step 1: Insert the First Arc

  1. Go to the Insert Tab:
    • Click Insert > Shapes and select the Arc shape under the “Basic Shapes” section.
  2. Draw the First Arc:
    • Click and drag to draw the arc on your slide. Adjust the curvature by dragging the yellow handle on the arc to get the desired shape.

Step 2: Insert the Second Arc

  1. Insert the Second Arc:
    • Go to Insert > Shapes, select another Arc, and draw it as the second part of your double curved arrow.
  2. Position the Second Arc:
    • Rotate and position the second arc opposite the first arc to create a continuous curve that resembles a double-curved path.

Step 3: Add Arrowheads

  1. Add Lines with Arrows:
    • Go to Insert > Shapes and select the Line with Arrow shape.
    • Draw the arrowhead on each end of the curved arc.
  2. Adjust the Arrowhead Size:
    • Right-click the arrow and choose Format Shape. Under Line, adjust the End Arrow Type and Arrowhead Size to make the arrow more visible and proportional to the arcs.

Step 4: Group the Shapes

  1. Select All Shapes:
    • Hold down Shift and select both arc shapes and the arrowheads.
  2. Group the Shapes:
    • Right-click the selection and choose Group > Group. This will combine the arcs and arrowheads into one shape, making it easier to move and resize.

Method 2: Using a Curved Line for a Simpler Double Arrow

Step 1: Insert a Curved Line

  1. Go to Insert Tab:
    • Click Insert > Shapes and select the Curved Line from the “Lines” section.
  2. Draw the Curved Line:
    • Click where you want the line to start, click again at the mid-point to create a curve, and click again where the line should end.

Step 2: Add Arrowheads

  1. Add Arrowheads to the Line:
    • Right-click the curved line and select Format Shape.
    • Under Line options, choose an End Arrow Type and Begin Arrow Type to make both ends of the line have arrowheads.

Step 3: Adjust the Curvature

  1. Adjust the Curve:
    • Use the handles on the line to adjust the curve until it looks like a smooth double arrow.

Customization Tips:

  • Thickness and Color: You can adjust the line thickness, color, and style by selecting the arrow and choosing Format > Shape Outline. You can change the line color, increase the weight, or even apply dashed styles for a more customized look.
  • Copy and Align: If you need multiple double curved arrows, you can simply duplicate (Ctrl + D) the grouped shape and align them on your slide.

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