This tutorial explains how to convert a Text box to a Dotted frame in PowerPoint. You can remove Text box and convert it to Dotted Frame.

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you can fill an area of a shape or text using the gradient fill in the Shape Format pane. Learn how!

PowerPoint 2007 has WordArt tools that let you generate text not only in a half-circle, but in all sorts of rings, waves, slants and fades so you can morph your words into whatever shape you envision.

Though the presence of these presets may suggest that they are the only choices for shape gradient colors, you can change the colors to suit your presentation.