Cannot Delete Shape in PowerPoint.

Question

I cannot delete or move a shape in PowerPoint. When I attempt to delete or Cut, nothing happens. When I try to move it, it snaps back to where it originally was. It is not locked or grouped.

Answer 1

Dear Rich Smith2,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

As per your description, please don’t worry, we can work together to narrow down and resolve the situation.

First, please accept my apologize (it’s my humbly request please don't mind) because you meet such an problem.

Generally, when we clear the Resize AutoShape to fit text check box on the Format menu, we can move the shape/object in PowerPoint slide.

First, may I know If you Choose View>Master>Slide Master Layout, can delete them there. Also, please confirm does this problem happened to specific PowerPoint file, it will help for us to narrow down your problem.

Meanwhile, if you don’t mind and if it is convenient for you, could you please send copy of your document file to me so that I can look from my side, and I will check this behavior and help you to fix and verify the result with you.

I have initiate private message for you, if there is confidential information, then you can send it to me in Private Message (PM). you can access PM from the top right corner of this page, as shown in image below:

Your understanding and patience will be highly appreciated. I hope that you are keeping safe and well!

Sincerely,

Waqas Muhammad

Answer 2

The shape could be on the slide master or layout, or it could be locked. Please post a sample showing the effect to a cloud service, then post a share link here and one of us will tell you exactly what the problem is.

Answer 3

Hi Smith,

          Check whether you have insert the shapes in Slide Master, If so Go to Slide Master select the first slide and if you see the shapes there delete it.

Answer 4

I was able to duplicate the slide and delete the object. It never showed up in the Slide Master layout though.

Answer 5

Hi Rich Smith2,

Thanks for your valuable feedback and sharing updates with us and I really appreciate your effort and I appreciate your kind words.

Per your description, it seems that after creating a duplicate slide and then you are able to delete the object. Thanks for sharing updates with us and I appreciate your kind words.

If there is any issue related with the Office applications in the future, please feel free to post back in this community.

We will be here for help.

Have a good day and stay safe 😊

Sincerely,

Waqas Muhammad