Graphics in Calc

Apache OpenOffice 4.1 Calc Guide

Chapter 5: Using Graphics in Calc

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• Graphics in Calc
• Adding Graphics (Images)
  • Inserting an Image File
    • Insert Picture Dialog
    • Drag and Drop
  • Linking an Image File
    • Embedding Linked Images
  • Inserting an Image from the Clipboard
  • Inserting an Image from the Gallery
• Modifying Images
  • Using the Picture Toolbar
    • Choosing a Graphics Mode
    • Using Graphic Filters
    • Adjusting Colors
    • Setting Transparency
    • Customizing Lines, Areas, and Shadows
    • Cropping Pictures
    • Resizing an Image
    • Rotating a Picture
  • Using the Picture Context Menu
    • Text
    • Position and Size
    • Original Size
    • Description
    • Name
    • Flip
    • Assign Macro
    • Group
  • Using the Sidebar
    • Graphic Panel
    • Line Panel
    • Position and Size Panel
• Using Calc’s Drawing Tools
  • Set or Change Properties for Drawing Objects
  • Resizing a Drawing Object
  • Grouping Drawing Objects
• Positioning Graphics
  • Arranging Graphics
  • Anchoring Graphics
  • Aligning Graphics
• Creating an Image Map

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Graphics in Calc

Calc is often used to present data and make forecasts and predictions. Effectively using graphics can turn an average document into a memorable one. Calc can import various vector (line drawing) and raster (bitmap) file formats. The most commonly used graphic formats are GIF, JPG, PNG, and BMP. See the Help for a full list of the formats Apache OpenOffice (AOO) can import.

If you are choosing among graphics file formats, you may want to consider the following information. GIF: a standard for digitized images defined in 1987 by CompuServe. JPG: an image compression algorithm designed for compressing either full-color or grayscale digital images. JPEG does not work well on images such as cartoons or line drawings. PNG: a file format for the lossless, portable, well-compressed storage of raster images; designed especially for online viewing. Note that a raster image is one in which the image is composed of an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns; whereas a vector image is one which represents shapes such as lines, polygons and text, and groups of such objects. BMP: BMP files contain uncompressed data, making it ideal for storing and displaying high-quality digital images. However, this lack of compression generally creates larger file sizes.

Graphics in Calc are of three basic types:

• Image files, such as photos, drawings, and scanned images
• Diagrams created using AOO’s drawing tools
• Charts and graphs created using AOO’s Chart facility

This chapter covers images and diagrams. Charts are described in Chapter 3 (Creating Charts and Graphs). Although using graphics in Calc is very similar to using graphics in any other component of AOO, this chapter explains some of the differences in that use. It also covers some more advanced graphics functions and how they can further enhance your spreadsheet.

The term graphics refers to both pictures and drawing objects. Often, the word images is used when referring to pictures and other graphics that were not produced by a drawing application such as OpenOffice Draw.