Inserting Objects


In addition to pictures, you can insert objects created in other applications. For instance, you can insert a joke from the Internet (if you have a connection to the Internet) or a calendar from Calendar Control.

When you choose to insert an object, Excel runs the required application and lets you create the object. When you quit the other application, the object is inserted on the current worksheet or chart.

Inserting an Object from the Menu

This To Do exercise shows you how to insert an object from another application using the Insert, Object command. Use the Sales 1st Qtr workbook for this exercise. We're going to create a simple freehand drawing in the Bitmap Image application and insert the drawing as an object in the Summary sheet.

To Do: Insert an Object from the Menu
  1. In the Summary sheet, press Esc to remove the marquee. Select the cell on the sheet where you want the upper-left corner of the object placed. In this case, scroll down to row 35, and click cell C35.

  2. Choose Insert, Object. The Object dialog box pops opens, as shown in Figure 19.5. There are two tabs: Create New and Create From File. The Create New tab lets you run another application and create the object. The Create From File tab allows you to insert an object that you have already created and saved.

    Figure 19.5. The Object dialog box.

    graphics/19fig05.jpg

  3. Make sure the Create New tab is up front. From the Object Type list, select the program you need to run to create the object. In this case, click Bitmap Image.

  4. Click OK. Excel runs the selected application. Now you should see the application window on your screen. The Bitmap Image window appears (see Figure 19.6).

    Figure 19.6. The Bitmap Image window.

    graphics/19fig06.jpg

    graphics/lightbulb_icon.gif

    If you want the object to appear as an icon in your worksheet or chart, click the Display as Icon check box. Otherwise the object itself will appear in the worksheet or chart.


  5. Use the application as you normally would to create the object. In our case, click the Rounded Rectangle tool (second column, last row) on the Bitmap Image toolbar. Point to the upper-left corner of the object box (near row 36), and click and drag diagonally down to about cell C40 to draw a rounded rectangle. When you're finished, click any cell in the Excel worksheet to save the object, and exit the application. Excel places the object on your worksheet. You should see a rounded rectangle object. When you click the object, Excel displays the Picture toolbar, so that you can make changes to the object. If you double-click the object, you are returned to Paintbrush.

    graphics/lightbulb_icon.gif

    The Create From File tab is similar to using the Insert, Picture command (see Hour 11) because both commands insert an object without running an application.


Using the Clipboard Task Pane

If you want to insert an object using the Clipboard task pane instead of the Insert, Object command, it's easy to do. Create the object in the application and use the Copy command to copy the object to the Clipboard. In Excel, click the worksheet where you want the object to appear. Choose Edit, Office Clipboard to display the Clipboard task pane. Notice the selections on the Clipboard, ready for you to insert as an object in your worksheet (see Figure 19.7).

Figure 19.7. The Clipboard task pane.

graphics/19fig07.jpg

Then click the selection on the Clipboard task pane to paste the object into the worksheet. Excel shows the object in your worksheet.



Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Office Excel 2003 in 24 Hours
Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Office Excel 2003 in 24 Hours (Sams Teach Yourself in 24 Hours)
ISBN: 1435276337
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 279
Authors: Trudi Reisner

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