Each sheet can have its own drawing layer that can contain built-in shapes, custom shapes, and annotations (free-hand drawings). Shapes and annotations are a form of graphics that are drawn on a separate layer from that of the spreadsheet. This drawing layer, or drawing space, is in front of the spreadsheet in the display. Shapes can be made all or partially transparent to reveal the spreadsheet behind. An example of a multiple-sided shape drawn in the space above a spreadsheet is shown in this figure to help you understand the concept of layers. Because the shapes appear on this separate layer from the sheet and can be thought to float above the spreadsheet, they are sometimes called floating objects.
These topics can help you customize the interaction with the drawing layer:
- Working with Shapes in Code
- Working with Annotations
- Allowing the User to Draw with a Tablet PC
- Creating Camera Shapes
For instance, in a spreadsheet you could create a shape like a "star" or other graphic that could highlight data or point the user to some aspect of working with the sheet and place this on a layer independent of the cells and their values. You could then proceed to customize aspects of that star or graphic from size and background color to rotation angle or gradient. The shapes are available in code (each shape being a separate class in the DrawingSpace namespace) or from the Insert menu in the Spread Designer. You can use shapes and annotation to draw attention to parts of your spreadsheet or emphasize some information or process involving the use of the spreadsheet. For example, you can display a logo on your sheet, show a process with flowchart-like graphics, or use shapes to simply highlight a particular result.
For more information on shapes, refer to the Spread Designer Guide.