Combine or break apart shapes in Numbers on Mac
You can create a new shape by combining one shape with another shape. For example, if you want to create a shape that looks like a heart, you can use three shapes—a diamond and two circles—and unite them into a single shape. You can also subtract shapes from other shapes, or remove the overlapping area between two shapes.
You can divide a compound shape—any shape that has multiple parts—into its components to create new shapes. Examples of compound shapes are a sneaker (its upper and sole), a lotus (its petals), and a truck (its wheels, its cab, and so on). In the shapes library, there’s no indication that a shape is compound, but most compound shapes have complex forms.
When you break a shape into its parts, you can edit each part as you would any other shape. You can use them as new shapes on their own, rearrange them into new shapes, and delete the ones you don’t want.
Tip: You can also break apart SVG images into shapes, then edit and combine them like other shapes. To learn more about adding SVG images to your spreadsheet, see Add an image.
Break apart a compound shape
Go to the Numbers app
on your Mac.Open a spreadsheet with a compound shape, then click the shape to select it.
Choose Format > Shapes and Lines > Break Apart (from the Format menu at the top of your screen).
White selection handles appear on the parts of the shape that can be edited.
If Break Apart is dimmed in the menu, the shape you selected isn’t a compound shape.
Break apart an SVG image into shapes
Go to the Numbers app
on your Mac.Open a spreadsheet with an SVG image, then click the image to select it.
Choose Format > Shapes and Lines > Break Apart (from the Format menu at the top of your screen).
If Break Apart is dimmed in the menu, the image you selected cannot be broken apart.
Click away from the image to deselect it, then click on the shape that you want to edit.
White selection handles appear on the parts of the image that can be edited.
Note: If selection handles don’t appear on the individual parts of the SVG image after it is broken apart, you may need to ungroup the parts first. Click the image, then choose Arrange (from the Arrange menu at the top of your screen) > Ungroup.
Combine shapes to create a new shape
Go to the Numbers app
on your Mac.Open a spreadsheet with multiple shapes on the same sheet.
Hold down the Shift key while you click two or more shapes that are touching or overlapping.
In the Format
sidebar, click the Arrange tab at the top of the sidebar.Click an arrangement button at the bottom of the sidebar:
Unite: Combines the selected shapes into a single shape.
Intersect: Creates a shape from the overlapping area.
Subtract: Removes the shape that’s layered on top of another shape. If necessary, move the shape you want to be removed to the top of the stack. See Layer, group, and lock objects.
Exclude: Creates a shape that excludes the overlapping area between the shapes.
You can also place an object inside a shape.