Inserting Text objects

You can insert text in a text object which spans multiple columns and rows of the spreadsheet. You can format properties of the text object such as its border or background color. And you can format the text within the text object. You can include formulas.

The text can be edited only in Design mode. See Design mode.

To insert a text object:

  1. Select Insert > Objects > Text, or click Text on the Graphics toolbar.
    The cursor changes to a cross.
  2. Click and drag in the worksheet to create a rectangular text object.
    You can resize the text object by dragging its edges.
  3. Format the text object as required.
    Click the text object in Design mode. A hashed border is displayed. Right-click and select Format Text Object.
  4. Format the text as required.
    Double-click the text object in Design mode. Right-click and select the Color, Font, or Paragraph options. Or use the options on the Format toolbar.
  5. Insert formulas as required.
    Double-click the text object in Design mode. Specify formulas manually, or right-click and select Insert formula to display the User-defined Data dialog.
    To specify formulas manually, precede them with the @ sign and enclose them formula in braces. For example:
    @{ROC("Best Practices OLAP","ANALYSIS","[CHANNEL].[All Channels]","[MEASURE].[Gross Margin]","[POS].[All Pos]","[PRODUCT].[All Tires]","[Period].[All Years]","[REGION].[All Regions]","[VALTYPE].[Variance]")}. Note that it is not necessary to prefix formulas with the equals sign.

Example

Including formulas in cells can be used to give the impression that two or more cells are merged. For example, the value returned by a formula might be too wide for the cell but you might not want to increase the column width. In this case you could insert a text object the size of two cells and insert the formula. On the Size and Position tab of the Format Text Object dialog you specify the behavior the text object in relation to other objects in the report.

For a description of the options of the Size and Position tab.

See Size and Position tab.