a:effectLst (Effect List)

Description

\:effectLst\ is the DrawingML container element for visual effects applied to shapes. It is defined in ECMA-376 Part 1 §20.1.8.19.

The effect list collects various visual effects that enhance shape appearance:

• Shadow effects: Outer and inner shadows with customizable blur and offset
• Light effects: Glow and soft edge for luminous appearance
• Reflection: Mirror reflection effect below or beside shape
• Blur: Soft blur/defocus effect for artistic appearance
• Effect DAG: Complex effect compositions using directed acyclic graphs

Effect lists enable:

• Professional visual polish for presentations
• Layered styling (multiple effects simultaneously)
• Consistent effect application across design elements
• Dynamic effect adjustments via properties
• Sophisticated visual designs

Attributes

Content Model

\:effectLst\ can contain:

1. Shadow effects (0–1):
   • \:outerShdw\ — Drop shadow outside shape boundary
   • \:innerShdw\ — Shadow inside shape boundary
2. Light effects (0–1):
   • \:glow\ — Soft glow around shape edge
   • \:softEdge\ — Soft feathering at edge
3. Mirror effects (0–1):
   • \:reflection\ — Mirror reflection below/beside shape
4. Blur effects (0–1):
   • \:blur\ — Blur/defocus effect
5. Complex effects (0–1):
   • \:effectDag\ — Complex effect compositions (DAG-based)

Note: Most effects are mutually exclusive or used selectively. Only one of each type should typically be present.

Child Elements Table

Examples

Empty Effect List (No Effects)

<a:spPr>
  <a:solidFill><a:srgbClr val="4472C4"/></a:solidFill>
  <a:effectLst/>
</a:spPr>

using DocumentFormat.OpenXml.Drawing;

var spPr = new ShapeProperties();
var fill = new SolidFill();
fill.Append(new RgbColorModelHex { Val = "4472C4" });
spPr.Append(fill);

spPr.Append(new EffectList());  // Empty effect list

Outer Shadow Effect

<a:effectLst>
  <a:outerShdw blurRad="38100" dist="38100" dir="2700000" algn="tl" rotWithShape="1">
    <a:srgbClr val="000000">
      <a:alpha val="50000"/>
    </a:srgbClr>
  </a:outerShdw>
</a:effectLst>

var effectList = new EffectList();
var outerShadow = new OuterShadow 
{ 
  BlurRadius = 38100,
  Distance = 38100,
  Direction = 2700000,  // 45°
  Alignment = RectangleAlignmentValues.TopLeft,
  RotateWithShape = true
};

var color = new RgbColorModelHex { Val = "000000" };
var alpha = new Alpha { Val = 50000 };  // 50% opacity
color.Append(alpha);
outerShadow.Append(color);

effectList.Append(outerShadow);

Glow Effect (Blue Glow)

<a:effectLst>
  <a:glow rad="50800">
    <a:srgbClr val="4472C4">
      <a:alpha val="75000"/>
    </a:srgbClr>
  </a:glow>
</a:effectLst>

var effectList = new EffectList();
var glow = new Glow { Radius = 50800 };

var color = new RgbColorModelHex { Val = "4472C4" };
var alpha = new Alpha { Val = 75000 };
color.Append(alpha);
glow.Append(color);

effectList.Append(glow);

Soft Edge Effect

<a:effectLst>
  <a:softEdge rad="50800"/>
</a:effectLst>

var effectList = new EffectList();
var softEdge = new SoftEdge { Radius = 50800 };
effectList.Append(softEdge);

Reflection Effect

<a:effectLst>
  <a:reflection blurRad="25400" stA="100000" stPos="100000" endA="0" endPos="100000" dist="25400" dir="2700000" fadeDir="5400000" rotWithShape="0">
    <a:srgbClr val="000000">
      <a:alpha val="50000"/>
    </a:srgbClr>
  </a:reflection>
</a:effectLst>

var effectList = new EffectList();
var reflection = new Reflection 
{ 
  BlurRadius = 25400,
  StartAlpha = 100000,
  StartPosition = 100000,
  EndAlpha = 0,
  EndPosition = 100000,
  Distance = 25400,
  Direction = 2700000,
  FadeDirection = 5400000,
  RotateWithShape = false
};

var color = new RgbColorModelHex { Val = "000000" };
var alpha = new Alpha { Val = 50000 };
color.Append(alpha);
reflection.Append(color);

effectList.Append(reflection);

Multiple Effects (Shadow + Glow)

<a:effectLst>
  <a:outerShdw blurRad="38100" dist="38100" dir="2700000">
    <a:srgbClr val="000000"><a:alpha val="50000"/></a:srgbClr>
  </a:outerShdw>
  <a:glow rad="50800">
    <a:srgbClr val="4472C4"><a:alpha val="75000"/></a:srgbClr>
  </a:glow>
</a:effectLst>

var effectList = new EffectList();

// Outer shadow
var shadow = new OuterShadow 
{ 
  BlurRadius = 38100,
  Distance = 38100,
  Direction = 2700000
};
var shadowColor = new RgbColorModelHex { Val = "000000" };
shadowColor.Append(new Alpha { Val = 50000 });
shadow.Append(shadowColor);
effectList.Append(shadow);

// Glow
var glow = new Glow { Radius = 50800 };
var glowColor = new RgbColorModelHex { Val = "4472C4" };
glowColor.Append(new Alpha { Val = 75000 });
glow.Append(glowColor);
effectList.Append(glow);

Blur Effect (Artistic Blur)

<a:effectLst>
  <a:blur rad="50800"/>
</a:effectLst>

var effectList = new EffectList();
var blur = new Blur { Radius = 50800 };
effectList.Append(blur);

Effect Types Reference

Shadow Effects

Light Effects

Mirror Effects

Blur Effects

Blur Radius Reference

Blur radius values are in EMUs (English Metric Units):

Formula: EMU = Pixels × 9525

Distance and Direction Reference

Shadow/effect positioning:

Common Patterns

Professional Drop Shadow

xml <a:effectLst> <a:outerShdw blurRad="38100" dist="50800" dir="2700000"> <a:srgbClr val="000000"><a:alpha val="60000"/></a:srgbClr> </a:outerShdw> </a:effectLst>

Glowing Icon

xml <a:effectLst> <a:glow rad="50800"> <a:srgbClr val="FFC000"><a:alpha val="80000"/></a:srgbClr> </a:glow> </a:effectLst>

Subtle Soft Edge

xml <a:effectLst> <a:softEdge rad="25400"/> </a:effectLst>

Interaction with Other Properties

Effects compose with:

• Fill (\:solidFill\, etc.) — Effects applied over fill
• Line (\:ln) — Effects applied to outline
• Transform (\:xfrm) — Effects rotate with shape if
  otWithShape=”1”\

Notes

Element Characteristics

• Optional: Can be present but empty (<a:effectLst/>)
• Order matters: Effects render in document order (top to bottom)
• Performance: Many effects may impact rendering performance
• Mutually exclusive: Most effect types don’t combine (either shadow OR glow, typically)
• Color support: Most effects support color and transparency via child color element

Rendering

• Word: Full effect support for shadows, glows, reflections
• PowerPoint: All effects supported; animations work with effects
• Excel: Limited effect support in older versions
• Publisher: Full effect support

Best Practices

• Use effects sparingly for visual polish, not clutter
• Prefer soft shadows for professional appearance
• Combine effects purposefully (shadow + glow for emphasis)
• Test effects across Office applications for consistency
• Consider performance impact with many effects
• Use alpha transparency to avoid harsh/opaque effects
• Document effect combinations for consistency in templates

Compatibility

• Office 2007 and later
• Some older clients may not render complex effects
• PDF export typically preserves shadow/glow effects
• Web rendering varies by platform