Arranging objects

When we use Excel to create a diagram, we add a few shapes that we later link with arrows to illustrate the flow of the process. All graphic objects can be aligned manually, by dragging them and matching the position with respect to another object. However, all this can be done much easier with the object editing options, where we can still position, group, ungroup objects …

Before we move to show these options, we added three rectangles, colored them with different colors and added the descriptive names “PRVI”, “DRUGI”, and “TREĆI” (FIRST, SECOND and THIRD in Serbian). To edit objects we need to select them first. We can do this by holding the CTRL or SHIFT key and clicking the left mouse button on the shapes that we want to add to the list of the selected ones.

To align objects we’ll use the grouping options that are in the Align menu, in the Format ribbon, which opens by clicking on the icon with the same name. The first three options (Align Left, Align Center, Align Right) refer to the horizontal alignment of objects, while the other three options (Align Top, Align Middle and Align Bottom) refer to the vertical alignment of objects. For example, if you would like the three selected objects to align with the upper edge (the top selected object), after selecting we would select the Align Top option. In addition to these options, the options are Distribute Horizontally and Distribute Vertically. We use them to distribute evenly the objects on a horizontal or vertical axis. The last three menu options refer to the way in which the object is automatically aligned, during Snap To Grid, Snap To Shape, or to view or hide the cell framework (View Gridlines).

The objects that are added to the worksheet are in a different position relative to each other. Each of them lies in imaginary plane, and they can be above or below some other object. Changing the position of the object is done using the Bring Forward or Send Backward options. In addition there are also options Send to Back (sending at the bottom) or Bring to Front (bringing to top of all objects).

In the Format toolbar, the Selection Pan icon is located. By choosing this option, we can display or hide a list of all graphic objects. Users who are accustomed to working with graphics design software such as CorelDRAW or PhotoShop will handle this option because it resembles layers, it gives insight into existing graphics objects, their position on relation to other objects (above/below) and their visibility (visible/hidden). Holding the CTRL key and clicking on objects in the list is used to select more objects, which is certainly beneficial if we have a large number of graphic objects in the worksheet. Also, by clicking on the object and clicking on the icon marked with an arrow above or an arrow, we can change their position in relation to other objects. By clicking on an icon that resembles an eye, besides the object name, we hide or show the object.

Sometimes it’s useful to group more objects into a single object. We do this by first selecting them, and then from the Format ribbon, choose Group, from the same menu. Ungrouping objects is done with the Ungroup option, and the Regroup option is used as a “undo” in relation to Ungroup.

Finally, by clicking on the Rotate icon in the Format ribbon, we can select one of the four offered rotation modes of the selected object. Choosing More Rotate Options will show advanced options for adjusting object rotation.