Chapter 23: Enhancing Your Work with Pictures and Drawings

In This Chapter

Inserting and customizing Shapes

Getting an overview of SmartArt and WordArt

Working with other types of graphics

When it comes to visual presentation, Excel has a lot more up its sleeve than charts. As you may know, you can insert a wide variety of graphics into your worksheet to add pizzazz to an otherwise boring report.

This chapter describes the non-chart-related graphic tools available in Excel. These tools consist of Shapes, SmartArt, WordArt, and imported or pasted images. In addition to enhancing your worksheets, you'll find that working with these objects can be a nice diversion. When you need a break from crunching numbers, you might enjoy creating an artistic masterpiece using Excel's graphic tools.

Using Shapes

Microsoft Office, including Excel, provides access to a variety of customizable graphic images known as Shapes. You might want to insert Shapes to create simple diagrams, display text, or just add some visual appeal to a worksheet.

Keep in mind that Shapes can add unnecessary clutter to a worksheet. Perhaps the best advice is to use Shapes sparingly. Ideally, Shapes can help draw attention to some aspect of your worksheet. They shouldn't be the main attraction.

Inserting a Shape

You can add a Shape to a worksheet's draw layer by choosing Insert ⇒ Illustrations ⇒ Shapes, which opens the Shapes gallery, shown in Figure 23.1. Shapes are organized into categories, and the category at the top displays the Shapes that you've used recently. To insert a Shape on a worksheet, you can do one of the following:

Figure 23.1

The Shapes gallery.

• Click the Shape in the Shapes gallery and then click in the worksheet. A default-sized shape is added to your worksheet.

• Click the Shape and then drag in the worksheet. This allows you to create a larger or smaller Shape, or a Shape with different proportions than the default.

When you release the mouse button, the object is selected, and its name appears in the Name field (as shown in Figure 23.2).

Figure 23.2

This Shape was drawn on the worksheet. Its name (Sun 1) appears in the Name field.

A few Shapes require a slightly different approach. For example, when adding a FreeForm Shape (from the Lines category), you can click repeatedly to create lines. Or click and drag to create a nonlinear shape. Double-click to finish drawing and create the Shape. The Curve Shape (in the Lines category) also requires several clicks while drawing. If you choose the Scribble Shape, you just drag the mouse pointer across the worksheet to create your masterpiece. If you connect the ends, it will be a filled Shape.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when creating Shapes:

• Every Shape has a name. Some have generic names like Shape 1 and Shape 2, but others are given more descriptive names (for example, Rectangle 1). To change the name of a Shape, select it, type a new name in the Name field, and press Enter.

• To select a specific Shape on a worksheet, just click it.

• When you create a Shape by dragging, hold down the Shift key to maintain the object's default proportions.

• You can control how objects appear onscreen in the Advanced tab of the Excel Options dialog box (choose File ⇒ Options). This setting appears in the Display Options for This Workbook section. Normally, the All option is selected under For Objects Show. You can hide all objects by choosing Nothing (Hide Objects). Hiding objects may speed things up if your worksheet contains complex objects that take a long time to redraw.

Adding text to a Shape

Many Shape objects can display text. To add text to such a Shape, select the Shape and start typing the text.

To change the formatting for all text in a Shape, click the Shape object to select it. You can then use the formatting commands on the Font and Alignment groups of the Home tab of the Ribbon. To change the formatting of specific characters within the text, select only those characters, and use the Ribbon controls. Or, right-click and use the Mini toolbar to format the selected text. In addition, you can dramatically change the look of the text by using the tools in the Drawing Tools ⇒ Format ⇒ WordArt Styles group. You can read more about WordArt later in this chapter.

Formatting Shapes

When you select a Shape, the Drawing Tools ⇒ Format contextual tab is available, with the following groups of commands:

• Insert Shapes: Insert new Shapes; change a Shape to a different Shape.

• Shape Styles: Change the overall style of a Shape; modify the Shape's fill, outline, or effects.

• WordArt Styles: Modify the appearance of the text within a Shape.

• Arrange: Adjust the “stack order” of Shapes, align Shapes, group multiple Shapes, and rotate Shapes.

• Size: Change the size of a Shape by typing dimensions.

Additional commands are available from the Shape's shortcut menu (which you access by right-clicking the Shape). In addition, you can use your mouse to perform some operations directly: for example, resize or rotate a Shape.

Figure 23.3 shows a worksheet with some Shapes that use various types of formatting.

Figure 23.3

A variety of Shapes.

As an alternative to the Ribbon, you can use the Format Shape task pane. Right-click the Shape and choose Format Shape from the shortcut menu. The task pane contains some additional formatting options that aren't on the Ribbon. Changes appear immediately, and you can keep the Format Shape task pane open while you work.

I could probably write 20 pages about formatting Shapes, but it would be a waste of paper and certainly not a very efficient way of learning about Shape formatting. The best way, by far, to learn about formatting Shapes is to experiment. Create some shapes, click some commands, and see what happens. The commands are fairly intuitive, and you can always use Undo if a command doesn't do what you expected it to do.

Stacking Shapes

Shapes (as well as other objects on the drawing layer) are arranged in a stack. Each object that is added is placed at the top of the stack. Therefore, a large Shape can be stacked on top of a smaller Shape, completely obscuring it.

The Selection task pane lists the objects in order (the first object listed is at the top of the stack). You can drag and drop item names in the Selection task pane to change the stack order.

Another way to change the stack order of a Shape is to right-click the Shape and choose one of these commands from the shortcut menu:

• Bring to Front ⇒ Bring to Front: Sends the Shape to the top of the stack

• Bring to Front ⇒ Bring Forward: Sends the Shape one level higher

• Send to Back ⇒ Send to Back: Sends the Shape to the bottom of the stack

• Send to Back ⇒ Send Backward: Sends the Shape one level lower

These commands are also available in the Drawing Tools ⇒ Format ⇒ Arrange group of the Ribbon.

Grouping objects

Excel lets you group (combine) two or more Shape objects into a single object. For example, if you create a design that uses four separate Shapes, you can combine them into a group. Then, you can manipulate this group as a single object (move it, resize it, apply formatting, and so on).

To group objects, press Ctrl while you click the objects to be included in the group. Then right-click any of the selected Shapes and choose Group ⇒ Group from the shortcut menu.

When objects are grouped, you can still work with an individual object in the group. Click once to select the group; then click again to select the object.

To ungroup a group, right-click the group object and choose Group ⇒ Ungroup from the shortcut menu. This command breaks the object into its original components.

Aligning and spacing objects

When you have several objects on a worksheet, you may want to align and evenly space these objects. You can, of course, drag the objects with your mouse (which isn't very precise). Or you can use the navigation arrow keys to move a selected object one pixel at a time. The fastest way to align and space objects is to let Excel do it for you.

To align multiple objects, start by selecting them (press Ctrl and click the objects). Then use the tools in the Drawing Tools ⇒ Format ⇒ Arrange ⇒ Align drop-down list.

You can instruct Excel to distribute three or more objects so that they're equally spaced horizontally or vertically. Choose Drawing Tools ⇒ Format ⇒ Arrange ⇒ Align, and then select either Distribute Horizontally or Distribute Vertically.

Reshaping Shapes

Excel has many Shapes to choose from, but sometimes the Shape you need isn't in the gallery. In such a case, you may be able to modify one of the existing shapes using one of these techniques:

• Rotate the Shape. When you select a Shape, it displays a small circular arrow. Click and drag this arrow to rotate the Shape.

• Group multiple Shapes. You may be able to create the Shape you need by combining two or more Shapes and then grouping them (see “Grouping objects,” earlier in this chapter).

• Reconfigure the Shape. Many Shapes display one or more small yellow squares when the Shape is selected. You can click and drag this square to change the Shape's outline. The exact behavior varies with the Shape, so you should experiment and see what happens. Figure 23.4 shows six variations of an up-down arrow. This particular shape, when selected, has two yellow squares, which allows lots of variations.

• Create a Freeform Shape. Select the Freeform Shape (in the Lines category of the Shapes gallery) to create a custom Shape. Figure 23.5 shows a Freeform Shape, with eyes and a mouth added. The shadow effect completes the masterpiece.

FIGURE 23.4

Six variations on a Shape.

FIGURE 23.5

When none of the existing Shapes will do, create your own Freeform Shape.

• Editing a Shape's Points. Another way to create a unique Shape is to edit its points. Select the Shape and choose Drawing Tools ⇒ Format ⇒ Insert Shapes ⇒ Edit Shape ⇒ Edit Points. You can then drag the points to reconfigure the Shape. Figure 23.6 shows an example of a Shape (named Frame) that has been edited beyond all recognition.

Figure 23.6

A Shape, before and after editing its points.

Printing objects

By default, objects are printed along with the worksheet. To avoid printing a Shape, right-click the Shape and choose Size and Position. In the Format Shape task pane, expand the Properties section and then clear the Print Object check box.

Using SmartArt

Excel's Shapes are certainly impressive, but the SmartArt feature is downright amazing. Using SmartArt, you can insert a wide variety of highly customizable diagrams into a worksheet, and you can change the overall look of the diagram with a few mouse clicks. This feature was introduced in Office 2007 and is probably more useful for PowerPoint users. But many Excel users will be able to make good use of SmartArt.

Inserting SmartArt

To insert SmartArt into a worksheet, choose Insert ⇒ SmartArt. Excel displays the dialog box shown in Figure 23.7. The diagrams are arranged in categories along the left. When you find one that looks appropriate, click it for a larger view in the panel on the right, which also provides some usage tips. Then click OK to insert the graphic.

Figure 23.7

Inserting a SmartArt graphic.

Figure 23.8 shows a SmartArt diagram after I customized it and added text. When you insert or select a SmartArt diagram, Excel displays its SmartArt Tools contextual tab, which provides many customization options.

Figure 23.8

This SmartArt shows a simple organizational chart.

Customizing SmartArt

Figure 23.9 shows a SmartArt graphic (named Vertical Equation, from the Process category) immediately after I inserted it into a worksheet. The Type Your Text Here window makes it very easy to enter text into the elements of the image. If you prefer, you can click one of the [Text] areas in the image and type the text directly.

Figure 23.9

This SmartArt needs to be customized.

Figure 23.10 shows the SmartArt after I added some text.

Figure 23.10

The SmartArt now has text.

This particular diagram depicts two items combining into a third item. Suppose that your boss sees this graphic and tells you that you need a third item: Advanced Technology. To add an element to the SmartArt graphic, just select an item and choose SmartArt Tools ⇒ Design ⇒ Create Graphic ⇒ Add Shape. Or you can just select an item and press Enter. Figure 23.11 shows the modified SmartArt.

Figure 23.11

The SmartArt, after adding a new element.

When working with SmartArt, keep in mind that you can move, resize, or format individually any element within the graphic. Select the element and then use the tools on the SmartArt Tools ⇒ Format tab.

Changing the layout

You can easily change the layout of a SmartArt diagram. Select the object and then choose SmartArt Tools ⇒ Design ⇒ Layouts. Any text that you've entered remains intact. Figure 23.12 shows a few alternate layouts for the previous example.

Figure 23.12

A few different layouts for the SmartArt.

Changing the style

After you decide on a layout, you may want to consider other styles or colors available in the SmartArt Tools ⇒ Design ⇒ SmartArt Styles group. Figure 23.13 shows the diagram after I chose a different style and changed the colors.

Figure 23.13

A few mouse clicks changed the style of this diagram.

Learning more about SmartArt

This section provided a basic introduction to SmartArt. The topic is probably complex enough to warrant an entire book, but I recommend simply experimenting with the commands.

Using WordArt

You can use WordArt to create graphical effects in text. Figure 23.14 shows a few examples of WordArt.

To insert a WordArt graphic on a worksheet, choose Insert ⇒ Text ⇒ WordArt and then select a style from the gallery. Excel inserts an object with the placeholder text Your text here. Replace that text with your own, resize it, and apply other formatting if you like.

When you select a WordArt image, Excel displays its Drawing Tools contextual menu. Use the controls to vary the look of your WordArt. Or right-click and choose Format Shape to use the task pane.

Figure 23.14

WordArt examples.

Word Art consists of two components: The text, and the Shape that contains the text. The Format Shape task pane has two headings (Shape Options and Text Options). The Ribbon controls in the Drawing Tools ⇒ Format ⇒ Shape Styles group operate on the Shape that contains the text — not the text. To apply text formatting, use the controls in the Drawing Tools ⇒ Format ⇒ WordArt Styles group. You can also use some of the standard formatting controls on the Home tab or the Mini toolbar.

Working with Other Graphic Types

Excel can import a wide variety of graphics into a worksheet. You have several choices:

• Inserting an image from your computer: If the graphic image that you want to insert is available in a file, you can easily import the file into your worksheet. Choose Insert ⇒ Illustrations ⇒ Picture. The Insert Picture dialog box appears, allowing you to browse for the file. Oddly, you can't drag and drop an image into a worksheet.

• Inserting an image from an online source: Choose Insert ⇒ Illustrations ⇒ Online Pictures. The Insert Picture window appears, allowing you to search for an image. Figure 23.15 shows the results of an image search.

• Copying and pasting: If an image is on the Windows Clipboard, you can paste it into a worksheet by choosing Home ⇒ Clipboard ⇒ Paste (or by pressing Ctrl+V).

FIGURE 23.15

Use the Insert Picture window to search for images online.

About graphics files

Graphics files come in two main categories:

• Bitmap: Bitmap images are made up of discrete dots. They usually look pretty good at their original size but often lose clarity if you increase the size. Examples of common bitmap file formats include BMP, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, and GIF.

• Vector: Vector-based images, on the other hand, are comprised of points and paths that are represented by mathematical equations, so they retain their crispness regardless of their size. Examples of common vector file formats include CGM, WMF, and EPS.

You can find millions of graphics files free for the taking on the Internet. Be aware, however, that some graphic files have copyright restrictions.

When you insert a picture on a worksheet, you can modify the picture in a number of ways from the Picture Tools ⇒ Format contextual tab, which becomes available when you select a picture object. For example, you can adjust the color, contrast, and brightness. In addition, you can add borders, shadows, reflections, and so on — similar to the operations available for Shapes.

And don't overlook the Picture Tools ⇒ Format ⇒ Picture Styles group. These commands can transform your image in some very interesting ways. Figure 23.16 shows various styles for a picture.

In addition, you can right-click and choose Format Picture to use the controls in the Format Picture task pane.

Figure 23.16

Displaying a picture in a number of different styles.

A feature introduced in Office 2010 is Artistic Effects. This command can apply a number of Photoshop-like effects to an image. To access this feature, select an image and choose Picture Tools ⇒ Format ⇒ Adjust ⇒ Artistic Effects. Each effect is somewhat customizable, so if you're not happy with the default effect, try adjusting some options.

You might be surprised by some of the image enhancements that are available — including the ability to remove the background from photos. The best way to learn theses features is to dig in and experiment. Even if you have no need for image enhancement, you might find that it's a fun diversion when you need a break from working with numbers.

Figure 23.17 shows a photo before and after applying some artistic effects and removing the background.

Figure 23.17

A photo, before and after manipulating it with Excel.

Inserting screenshots

Excel can also capture and insert a screenshot of any program currently running on your computer (including another Excel window). To use the screenshot feature, follow these steps:

1. Make sure that the window you want to use displays the content that you want.

2. Choose Insert ⇒ Illustrations ⇒ Screenshot. You'll see a gallery that contains thumbnails of all windows open on your computer (except the current Excel window).

3. Click the image you want. Excel inserts it into your worksheet.

You can use any of the normal picture tools to work with screenshots.

Displaying a worksheet background image

If you want to use a graphics image for a worksheet's background (similar to wallpaper on the Windows Desktop), choose Page Layout ⇒ Page Setup ⇒ Background and select a graphics file. The selected graphics file is tiled on the worksheet.

Unfortunately, worksheet background images are for onscreen display only. These images do not appear when the worksheet is printed.

Using the Equation Editor

The final section in this chapter deals with the Equation Editor, which was introduced in Excel 2010. Use this feature to insert a nicely formatted mathematical equation as a graphic object.

Figure 23.18 shows an example of an equation in a worksheet. Keep in mind that these equations do not perform calculations — they're for display purposes only.

The best way to become familiar with the Equation Editor is to insert one of the premade equations. Choose Insert ⇒ Symbols ⇒ Equation, and choose one of equations from the gallery. The equation is inserted in your worksheet.

When you select an Equation object, you have access to two contextual tabs:

• Drawing Tools: Used to format the container object

• Equation Tools: Used to edit the equation

Figure 23.18

An equation created by the Equation Editor.

The Equation Tools ⇒ Design tab contains three groups of controls:

• Tools: Used to insert a new equation, or control how the equation is displayed. Click the dialog box launcher in the bottom-right corner of the Tools group to display the Equation Options dialog box, where you can specify how the equation is copied and also define keyboard shortcuts (click Math AutoCorrect).

• Symbols: Contains common mathematical symbols and operators that you can use in your equations.

• Structures: Contains templates for various structures that are used in equations.

Describing how to use the Equation tools is more difficult than actually using them. Generally, you add a structure and then edit the various parts by adding text or symbols. You can put structures inside of structures, and there is no limit to the complexity of the equations. It might be a bit tricky at first, but it doesn't take long before you understand how it works.

Figure 23.19 shows two equations that illustrate an old calculus joke.

Figure 23.19

Two Equation objects on a worksheet.