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Microsoft Office 2007

Using Fill Effects in Excel and PowerPoint

Shapes and text boxes can be easily customized by adding a gradient, texture, or picture as fill. However, only one of these effects may be applied to your object. Excel and PowerPoint 2007 provide you with a number of tools to customize the appearance of these fill effects.

For information fill effects in Word, please refer to Using Fill Effects in Word.

return to topAccessing the Format Shape Dialog Box

Fill effects in Excel and PowerPoint 2007 are available through the Format Shape dialog box, which can be easily accessed after you have created the shape to format.

  1. Select the shape(s) that you want to adjust

  2. Right click the shape » select Format Shape...
    The Format Shape dialog box appears.

return to topAdding Color Gradient

Rather than filling an object or text box with one color, you may want to fill it with gradations of one or two colors. The most commonly chosen options are available from the Ribbon, while additional variations are available through the Fill Effects or Format Shape dialog boxes.

Adding Color Gradients

  1. Select your shape

  2. From the Ribbon, select the Format command tab

  3. In the Shape Styles group, click SHAPE FILL » select Gradient » select the desired gradient style

  4. OPTIONAL: For additional gradient options,
    1. In the Shape Styles group, click SHAPE FILL » select Gradient » More Gradients...
      The Format Shape dialog box appears with the Fill options displayed.
      Format Shape box: Gradient options
    2. In the Fill section, select Gradient fill
    3. Select additional options as desired

    Preset Colors
    Provides a library of built-in color schemes for your gradient.

    Type
    Provides a list of gradient styles, based on the shape of the gradient.

    Direction
    Provides a palette of individual gradients based on the selected Type.

    Angle
    Rotates the direction of the selected gradient.

    Gradient stops
    Provides a pull-down list of the individual stops (i.e., combined settings for position, color, and transparency) that comprise your gradient style. Selecting a stop in this pull-down list allows you to view and/or modify its properties.

    Add
    Adds a new stop to your gradient style.

    Remove
    Removes a selected stop from the Gradient Stops list and corresponding style.

    Color
    Determines the color for of the selected gradient stop.

    Stop Position
    Determines the position within your gradient that the selected color appears.
    HINT: Adjusting the position of several stops within your gradient in relation to each other can also change how much of each color appears in the gradient.

    Transparency
    Smaller values cause the selected color to appear more opaque, while larger values cause it to appear more translucent.

    Rotate with shape
    Selecting this option ensures that the gradient keeps the same orientation in relation to the shape if you choose to rotate the shape. When deselected, the gradient will keep the same orientation in relation to the top of the page when the shape is rotated.

    1. When satisfied, click CLOSE

return to topAdding Texture

You may decide that you want to add texture to your color. You can choose from the Office preset textures or use a graphic file that you have downloaded or created.

Adding Texture: Preset

  1. Select your shape

  2. From the Ribbon, select the Format command tab

  3. In the Shape Styles group, click SHAPE FILL » select Texture » select the desired texture

  4. OPTIONAL: For more texture options,
    1. In the Shape Styles group, click SHAPE FILL » select Texture » More Textures...
      The Format Shape dialog box appears with the Fill options displayed.
    2. From the Fill section, select Picture or texture fill
      The Format Shape dialog box refreshes into the Format Picture dialog box.
      Format Shape dialog box: Fill options
    3. Select additional options as desired

    Tile picture as texture
    When selected, the fill image repeats over the object's surface; when deselected, it stretches to the object's outline.
    NOTE: Your setting here determines which additional options are displayed. If selected, Tiling options are displayed; if deselected, Stretch options are displayed.

    Offsets
    If Tile picture as texture is deselected, Stretch options are provided as Offsets, with text boxes and nudge buttons available to offset the fill image from the Left, Right, Top, and Bottom of your shape's outline.
    HINT: Higher values set the fill image in from your shape's outline, creating a "margin" effect. Lower values set it closer to the outline. If all offsets are set at zero, the fill image conforms exactly to your shape.

    Offset X
    Lower values displace the texture or picture towards the left in your shape; higher values move it towards the right.

    Offset Y
    Lower values move the texture or picture up within the shape; higher values move it down.

    Scale X
    Larger values expand the texture or picture horizontally; smaller values compress it horizontally.

    Scale Y
    Larger values expand the texture or picture vertically; smaller values compress it vertically.

    Alignment
    Determines at which edge or corner of the shape your texture or picture will begin.

    Mirror type
    Determines the direction that tiles will reflect one another.

    Transparency
    Smaller values make the texture or picture more opaque; larger values make it more translucent.

    Rotate with shape
    Selecting this option ensures that the texture or picture keep the same orientation in relation to the shape if you choose to rotate the shape. When deselected, the texture or picture will keep the same orientation in relation to the top of the page when the shape is rotated.

    1. Click CLOSE

Adding Texture: From a File

  1. Select your shape

  2. From the Ribbon, select the Format command tab

  3. In the Shape Styles group, click SHAPE FILL » select Texture » More Textures ...
    The Format Shape dialog box appears with the Fill options displayed.
    Format Shape dialog box: Fill options

  4. From the Fill section, select Picture or texture fill

  5. In the Insert from section, click FILE...
    The Insert Picture dialog box appears.

  6. Using the Look-in pull-down list, navigate to and select the file you wish to use as a texture

  7. Click INSERT
    Your file is applied as a texture.

  8. Select additional options as desired

  9. Click CLOSE

return to topAdding a Picture

Office gives you the option of filling your object with an image that you have downloaded or created.

  1. Select your object

  2. From the Ribbon, select the Format command tab

  3. In the Shape Styles group, click SHAPE FILL » select Picture...
    The Insert Picture dialog box appears.

  4. Using the Look in pull-down list, navigate to and select the desired image

  5. Click INSERT
    The object is filled with the selected image.

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