Using Text Boxes

Text Box manipulation instructions

Text Box Plot Items

Text can be added to plots with or without a border. To insert, move or edit a text box you must be in Page Layout mode which can be selected using theManageribbon'sLayout Modeoption (Plotswindow must be active).

Moving and Resizing Plot Items

Plot items can be edited by dragging the resizer components shown when the Plots window is in Page Layout Mode (if this mode is not active, you will see a dotted line around highlighted screen components - this mode is toggled using theManageribbon andLayout Mode).

  • By default, objects will 'snap' to neighbouring items to allow you to align things more easily. You can override this behaviour by holding down the <CTRL> key during resizing.

  • You can maintain the aspect ratio of a plot item by holding down the <SHIFT> key during resizing using one of the corner sizer bars (using one of the central bars will automatically alter the aspect ratio regardless).

 

To insert a new text box

  1. Activate theManageribbon and selectText Boxfrom thePlot Itemdrop-down list.

  2. The Text Box Properties dialog is displayed so that you can enter text and set other display options.

  3. Type the text into the Contents box.

  4. Check on or off the Border.

  5. Check on or off Opaque background.

  6. Set the box Size or choose the Size to fit contents option.

  7. Choose the Font button to change the font style and size.

  8. Choose the Color button to change the text color.

  9. Choose Finish.

  10. Click-and-drag the text box to position on the page.

To edit the contents and format of a text box

  1. Double-click the text box in Page Layout mode to display the Text Box Properties dialog.

  2. Edit the properties and choose OK.

To move or re-size a text box

  1. Click the text box in Page Layout mode (Plots Viewribbon andLayout Mode) to select it.

  2. Click-and-drag inside the box to move it.

  3. Click-and-drag one of the displayed handles to re-size it.

Rotating Plot Items

All plot items can be rotated, either during or after insertion, when in Page Layout Mode. Only plot items with a green rotation symbol can be rotated. This is done by using a click-and-rotate action on the rotation symbol when the rotation cursor (curved two headed arrow) is displayed. This symbol is shown below associated with a Scale Bar:

Releasing the left mouse button will set the plot item with the new orientation.