Whenever a new shape is inserted on a slide in PowerPoint 2011 (or in any previous version), you will find that by default it is filled with a gradient fill, has an outline, and a shadow applied (or something else, depending upon the Theme your presentation is based on). For example, in a new blank presentation that we created, any new shape inserted is by default filled with a gradient fill, and has a thin dark blue outline. It also has a shadow. These default shape attributes can be changed very easily. But do remember that these changes are only limited to the presentation you are working on. If the presentation is not saved, you’ll lose the changes.
Learn how to change the default shape attributes for a presentation in PowerPoint 2011 for Mac.

