Scrolling panels are versatile space-savers. They let you display more content than would otherwise fit on a slide. Learners scroll vertically to see the additional content.

Scrolling panels can hold text boxes, shapes, pictures, characters, videos, and web objects. In fact, they can hold anything except other scrolling panels and objects that originate from slide master placeholders. Use them on slides, layers, and even slide masters.

Adding Scrolling Panels

  1. In Slide View, go to the Insert tab on the ribbon and click Scrolling Panel.
  2. Click and drag on the slide or layer to draw your scrolling panel.

Tip: Sometimes it's helpful to draw the scrolling panel especially large at first, so it's easier to drop objects into it. You can resize it at any time by dragging its sizing handles.

Sizing and Moving Scrolling Panels

To resize a scrolling panel, drag any of its sizing handles. To move a scrolling panel, drag it to a new location.

If you're having trouble selecting a scrolling panel without accidentally selecting an object inside it, use the timeline to select the scrolling panel object.

Adding Objects to Scrolling Panels

  1. If the object you want to add to a scrolling panel doesn't already exist, you'll need to add it to the slide first.
  2. Select the object and drag it over the scrolling panel.
  3. When your mouse is over the scrolling panel, release your mouse button to drop the object into the panel. If the object is taller or wider than the panel, part of it will be concealed by the boundary of the panel.

Tip: Although you can add objects to a scrolling panel that are wider than the panel, there won't be a horizontal scroll bar. Scrolling panels only support vertical scrolling.

Removing Objects from Scrolling Panels

  1. Select the object that you want to remove from the scrolling panel.

    Tip: If you're having trouble selecting the right object, you might need to scroll the panel up or down to see its contents. Another option is to open the timeline and click the triangle next to the scrolling panel object to reveal its contents.

    Click the triangle beside a scrolling panel object in the timeline to see all of its contents
  2. Drag the object out of the scrolling panel and drop it on another part of the slide if you want to keep it, or just press the Delete key on your keyboard if you want to remove it altogether.

Formatting Scrolling Panels

Scrolling panels are transparent by default. The slide background and anything that's behind the panel will show through it. However, you can format scrolling panels with fills, outlines, and effects.

Select the scrolling panel, go to the Format tab on the ribbon, then do any of the following:

  • Select a ready-made shape style.
  • Choose your own shape fill, outline, and effect.
  • Click the arrow in the lower right corner of the Shape Styles group to open the Format Shape window.

Tip: The colors available on the Format tab are controlled by your theme colors.

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