2.1.2: Inserting Images, Shapes, and SmartArt
- Page ID
- 56560
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)While Excel is primarily used for managing and analyzing data, visual elements play a key role in enhancing communication, reinforcing branding, and clarifying complex information. By incorporating images, shapes, and SmartArt, users can make spreadsheets more interactive, professional, and easier to understand—particularly in workbooks shared with clients, team members, or stakeholders.
Images
Images add visual context and branding to an Excel workbook. Common uses include inserting company logos, product images, or screenshots to support data explanations or instructions.
- To insert an image:
- Go to Insert > Pictures and choose from This Device, Stock Images, or Online Pictures.
- Once inserted, images can be resized using corner handles and moved anywhere on the worksheet.
- Right-click an image to access formatting options, such as cropping, adding borders, or applying artistic effects.
Figure 6.8.1 Picture tab, and stock images located.
Practical Tip: Place logos in the header or a fixed corner of the worksheet to establish branding without cluttering the main content area.
Shapes
Shapes provide structure and emphasis. They are useful for creating callouts, grouping related data, and drawing attention to key figures or trends.
- Access shapes through Insert > Shapes, which includes:
- Basic forms (rectangles, ovals)
- Arrows (to indicate flow or direction)
- Callouts (for notes or instructions)
- Stars and banners (to highlight key data)
- Shapes can be combined with text boxes to create labeled sections or visual annotations.
Figure 6.8.2 Shaptes tab located
Once inserted, shapes can be customized using the Format tab, allowing changes to fill color, outline, shadow, and text alignment.
Use Case: A sales report may include arrows pointing to charts or metrics to explain performance shifts, while a product sheet might use callouts to highlight product features.
SmartArt
SmartArt is a powerful feature that converts text into professional diagrams, making abstract concepts easier to understand.
- Found under Insert > SmartArt, it includes categories such as:
- Process (to show steps or workflows)
- Cycle (to represent repeating stages)
- Hierarchy (to show organizational structure)
- Relationship (to illustrate connections between elements)
- After inserting a SmartArt graphic, use the SmartArt Design and Format tabs to:
- Modify layout and add additional steps
- Adjust colors and styles to match workbook themes
- Align elements within the spreadsheet
Pro Tip: Use SmartArt alongside supporting data to create visual summaries that are easy to present or share with non-technical audiences.
This page was created by pulling information from Beginning Excel (Brown et al.) by Brown et al., CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 and COM112: Course Text by The American Women's College, CC BY 4.0.