How to stress cyclic processes using two arrow circle diagram

PowerPoint 365
If you want to stress on the cyclic nature in a diagram, schema or chart will be useful to create circling arrows or arrows in a circle and use them for the background picture.
PowerPoint proposes several predefined features for circular diagrams such as SmartArt, and you can find plenty of them on the Internet. However, it is easy to create your own diagram that will give your presentation a professional look.

See also how to create a cycle flow chart using four arrows in a circle.

Circular diagram in PowerPoint 2016

To create the picture like the one above, follow the next steps:

   1.   On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, select Shapes:

Shapes in PowerPoint 2016

   2.   On the Shapes list, in the Block Arrows group, choose the shape you prefer:

Block Arrows in PowerPoint 2016

   3.   After pasting this shape into your slide, change its outline like you want by using yellow points, and then duplicate it (for example, by clicking Ctrl+D):

Duplicated arrows in PowerPoint 2016

   4.   Rotate the second arrow by doing one of the following:

  • Using the rotation handle in the top of the selecting border:
    Rotation handle in PowerPoint 2016
  • Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Arrange group, select some commands in the Rotate dropdown list:
    Rotation in PowerPoint 2016

    For example, you can run

    • Flip Vertical and then Flip Horizontal or
    • twice run Rotate Right 90o or
    • twice run Rotate Left 90o.

  • In the Format Shape pane (to open the Format Shape pane, right-click on the shape and choose Format Shape... in the popup menu), on the Shape Options tab, in the Size & Properties group, in the Size section, choose or enter 180o in the Rotation edit box:
Rotation shape in PowerPoint 2016

   5.   Positioning both arrows like you prefer and then select them:

Two circling arrows in PowerPoint 2016

   6.   Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Insert Shapes group, choose the Marge Shapes dropdown list and then select Fragment:

Fragment shapes in PowerPoint 2016

You will see a lot of fragments:

Fragmented shapes in PowerPoint 2016

   7.   Select parts that belong to the first arrow:

One arrow in circle PowerPoint 2016

   8.   Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Insert Shapes group, choose the Marge Shapes dropdown list and then select Union:

Union shapes in PowerPoint 2016

   9.   Repeat the previous two steps for the second arrow, remove all other parts from fragmentation, and you will see the result that you can use in the presentation to demonstrate cyclic processes and procedures:

Two arrows in circle PowerPoint 2016

   10.   You can group these two arrows and format them like you want. E.g., add gradient fill.

See also this tip in French: Comment mettre l'accent sur les processus cycliques à l'aide du diagramme à deux flèches.

Please, disable AdBlock and reload the page to continue

Today, 30% of our visitors use Ad-Block to block ads.We understand your pain with ads, but without ads, we won't be able to provide you with free content soon. If you need our content for work or study, please support our efforts and disable AdBlock for our site. As you will see, we have a lot of helpful information to share.