Inserting Graphics
Graphics can enhance your spreadsheets. With Calc's graphics capabilities, you can include your company's logo or a graphic that is germane to the subject of the spreadsheet. For example, if you are doing a population study of a rare tree frog, a picture of the tree frog inserted into the spreadsheet can provide a great deal of visual impact.
Note
Graphics can quickly increase the size of a spreadsheet. Instead of inserting a graphic into your document, create a link to the graphic file. Refer to the next section, “To Insert a Graphic from a File,” for more information.
To Insert A Graphic From A File
You can insert graphics that already exist as files into your spreadsheets. These include graphics available in the StarOffice Gallery or scanned or digital camera images (discussed later in this chapter).
1. |
Click in the cell where you want to place the graphic. |
2. |
Choose Insert, Graphics, From File to open the Insert Graphics dialog box (see Figure 11.1). Notice that the Gallery directory is the default graphics file directory. Figure 11.1. The Gallery provides a number of folders filled with ready-made graphics.
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3. |
Open one of the folders in the Gallery folder (such as Clipart) to locate a particular graphic. |
4. |
Click on a file to select it. (If you double-click on a file, it will be automatically inserted into your document.) If you have the Preview checkbox selected, a preview of the graphic will appear at the right side of the dialog box (see Figure 11.2). Figure 11.2. You can preview graphics before inserting them into a spreadsheet.
Note If you click once on a graphic file in the Insert Graphics dialog box, you can then click the Properties button and manipulate the graphic before it is inserted into your document. You can also insert the graphic into your document, make sure the graphic is selected, and then choose Format, Graphic and manipulate the graphic after it is inserted into your document. |
5. |
Click the Open button to place the graphic into the document. |
To Move a Graphic
You can change the location of a graphic on a sheet by dragging it to a new location.
1. |
Click on the graphic once to select it. |
2. |
Place the mouse pointer on the graphic. A multiheaded arrow should appear. |
3. |
Drag the graphic to a new location. |
To Size a Graphic
In most cases, you will find that graphics that are inserted into a spreadsheet are usually much larger than is practical. You can resize any graphic to meet your needs.
1. |
Click on the graphic once to select it. |
2. |
Place the mouse pointer on one of the corners of the graphic. A two-headed sizing arrow should appear. |
3. |
Drag to size the graphic (see Figure 11.3), but try to drag on the diagonal. This maintains the height/width ratio of the graphic and does not distort the image. Figure 11.3. You can quickly resize a graphic placed in a spreadsheet.
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