The WordArt button on the Insert tab opens a gallery containing a number of fancy text styles you can employ to create impressive logos and headings. After you click the effect you want in the gallery, a new WordArt object appears on the worksheet. You can then type your text and modify the WordArt object, as shown in Figure 10-15. Notice that selected WordArt objects display the same handles as shapes, including the free rotate panhandle.

The Shape Styles group and the WordArt Styles group contain controls you use to change the look of the WordArt object. These groups appear on the Drawing Tools Format tab, a hidden tab that appears on the ribbon when you select the WordArt object, as shown in Figure 10-15.

Figure 10-15. Use the WordArt button to create stunning logos and headings.

The WordArt Styles gallery on the Drawing Tools Format tab displays a selection of WordArt effects. This gallery is similar to the one displayed by clicking the WordArt button on the Insert tab, except that instead of creating a new WordArt object, you can use the WordArt Styles gallery to modify an existing WordArt object. You can select styles that apply only to selected text in the object (or only to the word containing the active cursor), or you can select styles that apply to all the text in the object. The Clear WordArt command at the bottom of the gallery does not remove the object or the text, just the fancy formatting, resulting in a WordArt object of the same dimensions but formatted as plain text.

The Text Effects button displays a menu containing options for special effects you can apply to your WordArt object, as shown in Figure 10-16.

As do most galleries in Excel 2010, the Text Effects menu’s options allow you to rest the pointer on an icon to see a live preview of how the effect will look if you apply it to the selected WordArt object. The same behavior is exhibited by the gallery in the Shape Styles group, although the results might not be what you expect. Applying shape styles does not change the look of the text but instead adds lines, colors, and fills to the area behind the text.

Figure 10-16. The Text Effects menu offers advanced formatting effects.