Page 202 - Excel Workbook for Dummies

21_798452 ch15.qxp 3/13/06 7:41 PM Page 185

Chapter 15

Adding Graphics

to the Spreadsheet

In This Chapter
Understanding what graphic objects are and how Excel treats them
Adding clip art to the spreadsheet
Importing graphics files into the spreadsheet
Using the tools on the Drawing toolbar to add and draw shapes
Adding text boxes to the spreadsheet
Constructing WordArt, organizational charts, and other diagrams

s you discovered in Chapter 14, the embedded charts you add to a spreadsheet are
Aactually graphic objects that you can move and resize as needed. Embedded charts
are by no means the only graphic objects you can have in your worksheet. Excel also
enables you to add graphic objects you create yourself as well as those you import from
Clip Art and other kinds of graphics files.

In this chapter, you get a chance to practice using all these different types of graphic objects
to improve the overall look of your spreadsheets and make their data and charts even more
interesting and legible to the user.

Understanding Graphic Objects

The most important thing to remember about graphic objects is that they are distinct objects
separate from the cells of the worksheet that float above on their own layers. Because they
are distinct objects, you can select them for moving and resizing as you did your embedded
chart in Exercise 14-1 in Chapter 14. Because graphic objects remain on separate layers, you
can move them one on top of the other, with the object on the topmost layer obscuring parts
of the objects on layers below.

To select a graphic object, you must click some part of it (which can sometimes be a bit
tricky when different objects overlap each other). As Figure 15-1 demonstrates, when
you select a graphic object, Excel displays the name of the object in the Name box on the
Formula bar (AutoShape 1, in this case) while at the same time displaying white circular
sizing handles around the perimeter of its shape and a green circular rotation handle at the
top. (You can use the Rotation handle to change the orientation of the object by rotating it
to any desired angle.) Some graphic objects, such as the block arrow shown selected in
Figure 15-1, also display a shaping handle that you can use to modify the basic shape (in
this case, the thickness of the body of the arrow in relation to its arrowhead).