Excel 2016 Word 2016 Outlook 2016 PowerPoint 2016 Publisher 2016 Project Professional 2016 Excel 2013 Word 2013 Outlook 2013 PowerPoint 2013 Publisher 2013 Excel 2010 Word 2010 PowerPoint 2010 Project Professional 2013 Project Standard 2013 Project Standard 2016 You have lots of options for adding gradients, from simple built-in gradients to ones you create yourself. You can add gradients to basic shapes and text boxes, as well as shapes that are part of charts, SmartArt, and WordArt. You can quickly apply preset gradients, or you can create your own gradient fill with custom colors and specified brightness, transparency, gradient directions, and positioning. The simplest way is to click the shape to select it, and then click the Format tab that appears:. For shapes, text boxes, and WordArt, the Format tab appears under Drawing Tools.

For chart shapes, the Format tab appears under Chart Tools. For SmartArt shapes, the Format tab appears under SmartArt Tools.

On the Format tab, click Shape Fill, click Gradient, and select the one you want. The key to making gradient fills are gradient stops—specific points where the blending of two adjacent colors in a gradient end.

You can add or remove stops from the slider bar, and you can change the stop locations by sliding the stop or using the Position percentage for a precise position. Once you select a stop, you can use the other options to fine tune your gradient. The maximum number of stops is 10, and the minimum is 2. To add a gradient, you click Add gradient stops. To change a gradient, click the stop on the slider that you want to change.

Color Gradients In Illustrator

To remove a gradient, click Remove gradient stops. Click the shape, and when the Format tab appears, click Shape Fill. Click Gradient More Gradients Gradient fill. Pick a Type from the list. To set the direction for the gradient, click Direction. For each of the fill colors that you want in your gradient:.

To apply a color a gradient stop, click a stop on the Gradient Stops bar, and then click Color to choose the color you want. Here's an example of a linear rainbow gradient fill that was created by using six gradient stops, each with a different color. If you want to move a particular gradient stop into a precise position, click a percentage in the Position box.

If you want, adjust the Brightness or Transparency sliders for each gradient stop. This must be done independently for each stop.