Objects overview

An object is any item you place on a slide. Photos, shapes, charts, and text boxes are examples of objects. You can change an object’s appearance using the tools available by clicking Format button in the toolbar.

Each object has its own formatting options, which are unique to the properties and characteristics of the object. For example, a line has endpoints, so when a line is selected, Keynote displays controls for changing the appearance of the endpoints.

Style pane of Format inspector, showing predesigned objects and controls for modifying objects.

Add an object

  1. Click an object type in the toolbar to add a table, chart, text, shape, or media (photos, audio, and video).

    Click the arrows to see more object styles, or scroll to see more photos, audio, and video.

  2. Click an object to add it, then drag it to where you want it on the slide.

  3. To change the appearance of the object, select it, click the Style tab at the top of the sidebar on the right, then use the controls to make changes. You can do any of the following:

    • Click a style thumbnail to apply a predesigned style that matches your theme.

    • Click the well next to a feature to see options for quickly changing a feature’s appearance.

    • Click the disclosure triangle next to Fill, Border, or Shadow, then use the controls to customize the appearance of these elements however you want.

    • Add a reflection to the object, and adjust the object’s opacity (transparency).

    If you don’t see a sidebar, or the sidebar doesn’t have a Style tab, click Format button in the toolbar.

To change the appearance of a table or chart, use the Table tab for Tables or the Chart tab for Charts.