How to Insert a Dotted Line in PowerPoint?

Adding a dotted line in PowerPoint is easy if you know the right steps to add a simple straight line in PowerPoint. PowerPoint is a powerful presentation tool that allows you to create professional slides with a variety of design elements.
Most steps of inserting a dotted line in PowerPoint are the same as adding a straight line. Once the straight line is added, we can easily apply effects to turn it into a dotted line. If you want to enhance your presentation with dotted lines, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to insert them in PowerPoint.
Steps to Insert a Dotted Line in PPT
Where can you use a dotted line, and what are common tips to follow while inserting a dotted line? All these questions will be answered in the next sections. First, we will discuss how to insert a dotted line in PowerPoint.
Step 1: Select a Line Shape
Open your existing PowerPoint presentation or start a blank presentation. Go to the target slide and click the Insert tab. Select Shapes and then choose Line.

Step 2: Draw a Line on the Slide
Once the Line is selected, draw a line on your slide. You can draw it anywhere and then place it anywhere on the slide. To draw a straight line, press the Shift key while drawing the line.
Change the line color to white for clarity. Select the line >> Shape Format >> Shape Outline >> select color.

Step 3: Turn the Straight Line into a Dotted Line
Select the line and then go to Shape Format and click Shape Outline button. From the menu, select Dashes and then from the next menu, select any style for dotted line.

Step 4: Change the Weight of the Line
If the dots are not clearly visible, you can change the weight or thickness of the line.
In the Shape Outline menu, click weight and then select any thickness level that you want for your slides. This is how your final dotted line might look. You can apply further changes as required.

Tips for Using Dotted Lines Effectively
There are presets available in PowerPoint that you can also apply for quickly turning a straight line into a dotted line. But the above-mentioned methods offer more flexibility and customization options.
Here are some tips that can help you insert a dotted line in a PowerPoint in a precisely and aesthetically pleasing way.
- Keep it subtle: Don’t overuse dotted lines, as they may clutter your slides.
- Match your theme: Use colors and line weights consistent with your slide design.
- Use alignment tools: Make sure your dotted lines are straight and aligned for a polished look.
- Combine with animations: A dotted line can be animated to appear gradually, adding emphasis.
How to Make Attractive PowerPoint Slides?
A dotted line is just a simple tool that can replace simple and boring solid lines, but there are hundreds of other hidden features that most users don’t know. How are you supposed to make professional slides in PowerPoint when you don’t know the tool completely?
What is Twistly?
For beginners and pros, Twistly is an amazing AI add-in that can turn your ideas and topics into professional PowerPoint slides.
It integrates ChatGPT-style capabilities directly inside PowerPoint, letting users generate, edit, convert, and polish slide decks without needing to leave the PowerPoint app.
- Creating presentations from a variety of content sources
- Generating or improving speaker notes automatically
- AI image generator for custom visuals
- Ease of converting presentations into other languages
- A library of templates to help ensure the slide designs look professional

Benefits of Twistly
Twistly is not like other online AI presentation makers that you have seen before. There are many unique features of this add-in that make it one of the most popular AI PPT makers for PowerPoint, including:
Save Time and Effort
Instead of manually designing each slide, Twistly automates many of these tasks. What might take hours can often be done in minutes.
Seamless workflow inside PowerPoint
Because it’s an add-in, you don’t have to export/import files, use separate apps, or switch between tools. Everything happens within PowerPoint itself. That helps maintain consistency and reduces friction.
Multiple content input types
If you already have content, you can convert them into slides. This means repurposing existing content becomes much easier.
Better design & visual quality
The built-in templates and ability to generate matching visuals help make slides look much more polished. Users don’t need to be expert designers.
Broad use cases
It works for students, educators, businesspeople, researchers, presenters, or anywhere a slide deck is needed. Because of its flexibility, many kinds of users benefit.
Create PowerPoint
Slides with AI
Build AI-powered presentations from
any prompt, doc, or video
Conclusion
Inserting a dotted line in PowerPoint is a simple yet effective way to improve your slide design. You can also use different presets. By following the steps above, you can easily add and customize dotted lines to match your presentation style.
Twistly has revolutionized how beginners and pros use PowerPoint. You don’t just get plain text slides; visuals, layouts, and design suggestions are part of the package. It tries to keep things professional. Whenever you need quick and accurate presentations on any topic, Twistly is your perfect AI assistant for PowerPoint.
Start Making AI Presentations in Seconds
Instant Access
Begin exploring Twistly’s full suite of features immediately
No Commitments
No credit card required, and you can cancel anytime
Dedicated Support
Our team is here to assist you every step of the way during your trial.