How to stress cyclic processes using two arrow circle diagram
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 to 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 for Microsoft 365 Circular diagram in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/411/1.png)
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 for Microsoft 365 Shapes in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/powerpoint_button365/shapes.png)
2. On the Shapes list, in the Block Arrows group, choose the shape you prefer:
![Block Arrows in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Block Arrows in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/shapes365/arrow.png)
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 for Microsoft 365 Duplicated arrows in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/411/3.png)
4. Rotate the second arrow by doing one of the following:
- Using the rotation handle at the top of the selecting border:
- On the Shape Format tab, in the Arrange group, select some
commands in the Rotate dropdown list:
For example, you can run
- Flip Vertical and then Flip Horizontal or
- twice run Rotate Right 90o or
- twice run Rotate Left 90o.
- On 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 for Microsoft 365 Rotation shape in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/411/4_365.png)
5. Positioning both arrows as you prefer and then select them:
![Two arrows in circle PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Two circling arrows in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/411/5.png)
6. On the Shape Format tab, in the Insert Shapes group, choose the Merge Shapes dropdown list and then select Fragment:
![Fragment shapes in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Fragment shapes in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/powerpoint_button365/fragment.png)
You will see a lot of fragments:
![Fragmented shapes in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Fragmented shapes in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/411/6.png)
7. Select parts that belong to the first arrow:
![One circling arrow in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 One arrow in circle PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/411/7.png)
8. On the Shape Format tab, in the Insert Shapes group, choose the Merge Shapes dropdown list and then select Union:
![Union shapes in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Union shapes in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/powerpoint_button365/union.png)
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 circling arrows in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Two arrows in circle PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/411/8.png)
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.