Category: Presentations

We can change the line color and line style of an object by using the ‘Line and Filling’ toolbar. First of all, go to the ‘View’ option on the main menu bar and then select the option ‘Toolbars’ from the drop down list that appears. Now select the option ‘Line and Filling’ from the list that appears. The ‘Line and Filling’ toolbar appears.
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We can change the line color by firstly selecting the line for which the color needs to be changed and then choosing the option ‘Line Color’ from the ‘Line and Filling’ toolbar. After clicking on this option, a drop down appears, from where we can select the appropriate color for the selected line.

We can change the line style by firstly selecting the line for which the style needs to be changed and then selecting the ‘Line Style’ option from the ‘Line and Filling’ toolbar. After clicking on this option, a drop down appears, from where we can select the appropriate style for the selected line.

Another way of changing the line color and style is by selecting the option ‘Format’ from the main menu bar and then choosing ‘Line’ from the drop down that appears. ‘Line’ dialog box will open up as has been shown below:

In this dialog box, under the ‘Line’ tab, we have the ‘Line Properties’ area. Here, we have the ‘Style’ and ‘Color’ drop-down lists from where we can choose the required color and styling for the selected line. After making the desired changes, click on ‘OK’ and the changes will get applied.

Apply a shadow to a drawn object.

We can apply a shadow to the drawn objects by using the ‘Line and Filling’ toolbar. We can open the ‘Line and Filling’ toolbar by following the same steps which have been discussed in the previous section. In the toolbar, we have an option, ‘Shadow’. Now, select the object to which we need to apply the shadow to and then select the option ‘Shadow’ from the ‘Line and Filling’ toolbar. The shadow will get applied to the selected drawn object.
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Enter text into a text box; block arrow, rectangle, square, oval, and circle.

We can enter text into a text box, a block arrow, a rectangle, a square, an oval or a circle by double clicking inside these drawn objects. A cursor appears inside the objects upon double-clicking and then we can enter text into the drawn objects.
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We can also change the font style or the type of font by changing the font properties from the ‘Text Formatting Toolbar’. The ‘Text Formatting Toolbar’ can be selected by going to the ‘View’ option on the main menu bar and then choosing ‘Toolbars’ option from the drop down that appears. After this, select the ‘Text Formatting Toolbar’ from the list that appears.

Change drawn object background color.

We can change the background color of an object by selecting ‘Format’ from the main menu bar and then choosing the ‘Area’ option from the drop down that appears. A dialog box appears from which, under the ‘Area’ tab, we can select the color we want to fill in the object. After making all the changes, click on ‘OK’ and the background color will get changed for the object.
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Add different types of drawn object to a slide: line, arrow, block arrow, rectangle, square, oval, circle, text box.

We can add the different drawn objects to a slide from the ‘Drawing Toolbar’. To activate the drawing toolbar, firstly go to ‘View’ option on the main menu bar and then select ‘Toolbars’ from the drop down that appears. Now, from the list that appears select the ‘Drawing’ option.
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The below shown drawing toolbar appears:

To add a line to a slide, select the ‘Line’ icon from the drawing tool bar. Now, click the mouse pointer in the main slide area where you need to draw the line and drag the mouse pointer without releasing till the desired length of the line and then release the cursor. The line will be drawn in the slide.

To add an arrow to a slide, select the ‘Arrow’ icon from the drawing tool bar. Now, click the mouse pointer in the main slide area where you need to draw the arrow and drag the mouse pointer without releasing till the desired length of the arrow and then release the cursor. The arrow will be drawn in the slide.

In the same manner we can draw a block arrow. Select the icon for the block arrow on the drawing toolbar and it will open a list of different block arrows which we can draw. Then select the desired block arrow and then click the mouse pointer in the main slide area where you need to draw the arrow and drag the mouse pointer without releasing till the desired length of the arrow and then release the cursor. The block arrow will get inserted in the slide.

We can draw a rectangle or a square in a slide by selecting the rectangle icon from the drawing toolbar. Now drag the mouse pointer in the slide to make it a square or a rectangle. After getting the desired shape, release the mouse button. The rectangle or square will get inserted in the slide. We can also draw a square by pressing the ‘shift’ key from the keyboard and then dragging the mouse simultaneously.

We can draw an oval or a circle by selecting the ellipse icon from the drawing toolbar. Now drag the mouse pointer in the slide to make an oval or a circle. After getting the desired shape release the mouse pointer. The oval or circle will get inserted in the slide. We can also draw a circle by pressing the ‘shift’ key from the keyboard and dragging the mouse simultaneously.

We can insert a text box in a slide by selecting the ‘T shape icon’ on the drawing toolbar. Now drag the mouse pointer in the slide to get the desired size of the text box and then release the mouse pointer. The text box will get inserted in the slide.
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Copy, move graphical objects, charts within the presentation, between open presentations.

To copy an object within a presentation or between open presentations, first of all select the object. Then right-click on the object and from the resulting menu click on ‘Copy’. Now go to the location where you want to copy this object to and right-click once and from the resulting menu click on ‘Paste’. This will copy the object to the new location which can be in the same presentation or a different one.
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To move an image within a presentation or between open presentations, first of all select the image. Then right-click on the image and from the resulting menu click on ‘Cut’. Now go to the location where you want to move this image to and right-click once and from the resulting menu click on ‘Paste’. This will move the image to the new location which can be in the same presentation or a different one.

Resize, delete graphical objects, charts in a presentation.

To resize an object, click once on the object so that the object gets surrounded by eight small green squares on its border. These squares are called ‘Selection Handles’. Now Place the mouse pointer on any of these squares and click and drag in order to increase or decrease the size of the object.

To delete an object, click once on the object so that the object gets surrounded by eight small green squares on its border. Then press the ‘delete’ button from the keyboard and this will delete the object from the document.

If we need more accurate resizing of graphical objects or charts, we can use the ‘Position and Size’ option form the ‘Format’ option present on the main menu bar. After clicking on ‘Position and Size’ option, the ‘Position and Size’ dialog box appears where, under ‘Size’, we can select the measurements which we desire for our graphical objects or charts. After selecting all the measurements, click on ‘OK’ and the desired changes will get applied to the graphical objects or charts.

Rotate, flip a graphical object.

We can rotate or flip a graphical object by double-clicking on the object so that eight red colored selection handles appear around the object. Now, take the mouse cursor on to one of these handles and when the rotation sign appears, rotate the picture to the desired position.

We can also rotate the graphical object by first selecting the object such that eight green colored selection handles appear around the object. Now select the ‘Format’ option from the main menu bar and choose ‘Position and Size’ option from the drop down that appears.

After selecting ‘Position and Size’, a dialog box appears. In this dialog, under the ‘Rotation’ tab, select the angle under ‘Rotation Angle’ by which you want to rotate the graphical object and then click on ‘OK’. The graphical object will get rotated by the selected angle.

Align a graphical object relative to a slide: left, centre, right, top, bottom.

We can align a graphical object by simply selecting the object and then going to the ‘View’ option in the main menu bar and selecting ‘Toolbars’ option from the resulting drop down list. Now select ‘Align Objects’ option from the menu that appears. This will open the ‘Align Objects’ dialog which contains all the options to align the graphical objects to the right, left, center, top or bottom of the slide. We can select the desired option and the object will get aligned accordingly.
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Insert a graphical object (picture, image, drawn object) into a slide.

To insert an object like an image or a graphical object to a specific location in a slide, first of all bring the text pointer to that location by clicking at that location once. Now click on ‘Insert’ from the main menu bar. This gives us a drop-down menu. In this drop-down, we have a number of options.
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To insert an image, click on ‘Image’ from the drop-down. This will open the ‘Insert Image’ dialog box. Go to the location of the required image from this dialog and select the image and then click on ‘Open’. This will insert the image to the specified location in the presentation.

Similarly, to insert a graphical object, click on ‘Media’ and from the resulting menu, click on ‘Clip Art Gallery’. This will open the ‘Gallery’ at the right side of the Impress main window where we have the different types of shapes listed. We can insert these predefined shapes to the slides by selecting the required shapes from this menu and then dragging and dropping those shapes into the slide.

This is how we can insert graphical objects into a presentation in Impress.

Select a graphical object.

To select an image or a graphical object, just click once on the image or the object and the image or the object will get surrounded by eight different green coloured small squares. This is how we select an image or a graphical object in Impress.
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Add data labels to a chart: values/numbers, percentages.

To add data labels to a chart, select the chart by double clicking on it. After selecting the chart, click on ‘Insert’ button from the main menu bar and then click on ‘Data Labels’ from the resulting drop down menu. This will open the ‘Data Labels for all Data Series’ wizard. Under ‘Text Attributes’, we can check or uncheck the number or percentage data labels as per the requirement.
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Change the background color of a chart.

To change the chart area background color, first of all select the chart by double-clicking on it. A grey border should surround the chart upon selection. After this, right click on the chart area and from the resulting menu, click on ‘Format Chart Area’. This will display the ‘Chart Area’ dialog box.

In this dialog box, under the ‘Area’ tab, we have a ‘Fill’ drop down list. From this list, select the appropriate color which is required for the background of the chart and click on ‘OK’. This will change the chart background color.

Change the column, bar, line, pie slice colors in a chart.

To change the column, bar, line, or pie slice color in a chart, simply double-click on the respective element for which you want to change the color. If it is a bar chart, double-click on the individual bar, and if it is a pie chart, double-click on the pie for which the color is required to be changed. Do likewise for the other chart types. This double-clicking will open the ‘Data Series’ dialog box.

In this dialog box, under the ‘Area’ tab, we have a ‘Fill’ drop down list. From this list, select the appropriate color and click on ‘OK’. This will change the color of the selected element in the chart.
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Add data labels to a chart: values/numbers, percentages.

To add data labels to a chart, select the chart by double clicking on it. After selecting the chart, click on ‘Insert’ button from the main menu bar and then click on ‘Data Labels’ from the resulting drop down menu. This will open the ‘Data Labels for all Data Series’ wizard. Under ‘Text Attributes’, we can check or uncheck the number or percentage data labels as per the requirement.
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Change the background color of a chart.

To change the chart area background color, first of all select the chart by double-clicking on it. A grey border should surround the chart upon selection. After this, right click on the chart area and from the resulting menu, click on ‘Format Chart Area’. This will display the ‘Chart Area’ dialog box.

In this dialog box, under the ‘Area’ tab, we have a ‘Fill’ drop down list. From this list, select the appropriate color which is required for the background of the chart and click on ‘OK’. This will change the chart background color.

Change the column, bar, line, pie slice colors in a chart.

To change the column, bar, line, or pie slice color in a chart, simply double-click on the respective element for which you want to change the color. If it is a bar chart, double-click on the individual bar, and if it is a pie chart, double-click on the pie for which the color is required to be changed. Do likewise for the other chart types. This double-clicking will open the ‘Data Series’ dialog box.

In this dialog box, under the ‘Area’ tab, we have a ‘Fill’ drop down list. From this list, select the appropriate color and click on ‘OK’. This will change the color of the selected element in the chart.
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Create built-in charts in a presentation: column, bar, line, pie.

In Impress, we can represent our data with the help of different graphical representations like column chart, bar chart, line chart, or pie chart. This makes the data more presentable and also easier to comprehend.
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To create the different types of charts in Impress, simply click on the ‘Insert Chart’ place holder from the main slide area as has been shown in the below given illustration.

This will directly insert a chart into the presentation which will be first displayed in the selected state.

Select a chart.

A chart can be selected by simply double-clicking on it. When selected, the chart is surrounded by a grey border.

Change the chart type.

In order to change the chart type, first of all we need to select the chart by double-clicking on it. The chart will become surrounded by a grey border upon selection. After selecting the chart, click on ‘Format’ button on the main menu bar. From the resulting drop-down, click on ‘Chart Type’.

After clicking on the ‘Chart Type’ button, the ‘Chart Type’ dialog box appears. This lists the different chart types available. Any chart type can be selected from this list. After selection of the required chart type, just click on ‘OK’ and the chart type will get changed and a new chart will be created having the updated chart type.

Add, remove, and edit a chart title.

To add a chart title, first of all select the chart by double clicking on it, and then right click on the chart area. This gives a menu from which ‘Insert Titles’ can be selected. This gives a ‘Title’ dialog box from where we can add a title, remove a title and also edit the title. If the title is already there, just delete the title and click on ‘OK’. This will remove the title. Similarly, by changing the title and clicking on ‘OK’, we can edit the title.
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Create built-in charts in a presentation: column, bar, line, pie.

In Impress, we can represent our data with the help of different graphical representations like column chart, bar chart, line chart, or pie chart. This makes the data more presentable and also easier to comprehend.
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To create the different types of charts in Impress, simply click on the ‘Insert Chart’ place holder from the main slide area as has been shown in the below given illustration.

This will directly insert a chart into the presentation which will be first displayed in the selected state.

Select a chart.

A chart can be selected by simply double-clicking on it. When selected, the chart is surrounded by a grey border.

Change the chart type.

In order to change the chart type, first of all we need to select the chart by double-clicking on it. The chart will become surrounded by a grey border upon selection. After selecting the chart, click on ‘Format’ button on the main menu bar. From the resulting drop-down, click on ‘Chart Type’.

After clicking on the ‘Chart Type’ button, the ‘Chart Type’ dialog box appears. This lists the different chart types available. Any chart type can be selected from this list. After selection of the required chart type, just click on ‘OK’ and the chart type will get changed and a new chart will be created having the updated chart type.

Add, remove, and edit a chart title.

To add a chart title, first of all select the chart by double clicking on it, and then right click on the chart area. This gives a menu from which ‘Insert Titles’ can be selected. This gives a ‘Title’ dialog box from where we can add a title, remove a title and also edit the title. If the title is already there, just delete the title and click on ‘OK’. This will remove the title. Similarly, by changing the title and clicking on ‘OK’, we can edit the title.
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Tables are very effective in conveying structured information. Table in a slide can be inserted by clicking on ‘Insert’ in the main menu bar and selecting ‘Table’ from the drop down list which gets displayed.
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After this, a dialog box appears, in which we can select the ‘Number of rows’ and the ‘Number of columns’ needed in the table. After selecting the appropriate values, click on ‘OK’ and the table will get inserted in the slide.

We can select the design of the table from the ‘Tasks Pane’. Any of the predefined designs can be selected which differ mainly according to the color scheme.

The options under ‘Table Design’ do the following functions:

• Header Row: This option is selected by default and it adds a different colored background to the first row in the table.
• Total Row: This option adds different colored background to the last row in the table.
• Banded Rows: This option is also selected by default. It adds different colored background to alternative rows, making it easier to read the data in the table.
• First Column: It adds a separate background color to the first column of the table.
• Last Column: It adds a separate background to the last column of the table.
• Banded Columns: It adds a separate background to alternate columns.

Enter, edit text in a table slide.

To insert data in a table, click once inside the cell in which the data needs to be entered. This will give a blinking text pointer inside the cell. Now simply enter the required data using the keyboard.

To edit the data in a table, click once inside the cell whose data needs to be edited. Now delete the already present value using the ‘delete’ button from the keyboard and then enter the new value. This is how we can edit the table data.

Select rows, columns, entire table.

To select a row or a column, click once on any one of the cells from that particular row or column. The table formatting toolbar menu will get displayed at the bottom of the presentation. From this menu, click on the ‘>>’ icon. A new list of options will get displayed. From this list, the ‘Select Column’, ‘Select Rows’, or the ‘Select Table’ options can be selected to select a column, a row or the whole table respectively. These options have been shown in the below given illustration.

Insert, delete rows and columns.

To insert a row or a column, click once on any one of the cells from the column to whose right the new column needs to be inserted or from the row below which the new row needs to be inserted. The table formatting toolbar menu will get displayed at the bottom of the document. From this menu, click on the ‘>>’ icon. A new list of options will get displayed. From this list, the ‘Insert Row’ or the ‘Insert Column’ options can be selected to insert a row or a column respectively. These options have been shown in the illustration above.

To delete a row or a column, click once on any one of the cells from that particular row or column. The table formatting toolbar menu will get displayed at the bottom of the document. From this menu, click on the ‘>>’ icon. A new list of options will get displayed. From this list, the ‘Delete Row’ or the ‘Delete Column’ options can be selected to delete a row or a column respectively. These options have been shown in the illustration above.
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