Alignment, Border Effects

Alignment, Border Effects
	Chapter 5. Formatting

Abstract

Align contents in a cell, cell range: left, centre, right, top, bottom

If you type numbers in a cell you will notice that, by default, they are right aligned. In other words, the numbers are flush against the right hand borders of the cell. Text, on the other hand is left aligned. Changing these defaults is simply a matter of changing the alignment of a cell or range of cells.

Notice the alignment of the headings in the worksheet below:

The text in row 3 is left aligned, while the numbers in row 5 are right aligned. Suppose we wish to make the contents of B3:G3 right aligned.

Select the cells whose alignment you wish to change.
Format->Cells
Click the Alignment tab.
Change the Horizontal alignment to the desired option
Click OK.

Generally, the height of rows is such that the text in the cells appears to occupy the entire height of the row. It is possible to change the height of a row either by clicking and dragging the lower border of the row number or by selecting the row and using Format->Row->Height. In the next screen, the height of row 3 has been changed in this way.

In this worksheet, the vertical alignment of row 3, is Bottom.

The vertical alignment of the entire row, a range of cells, or a single cell can be changed as follows:

Select the cells whose vertical alignment is to be changed.
Format->Cells
Click the Alignment tab.
Change the Vertical alignment to the desired option.
Click OK.

Centre a title over a cell range

Consider the following screen:

Suppose we wish to centre the heading across C2:H2.

Highlight the range of cells. In this case, it would be C2:H2.
Format->Merge cells->Define.
Click the Centre icon on the toolbar, .

Adjust cell content orientation

Normally when we type text is a cell, its orientation is from left to right. Calc allows us to change the orientation of text very simply.

Suppose we wish to add a slightly unusual effect to the following screen so that the headings slope from left to right.

Select the range of cells you wish to modify.
Format->Cells
Select the Alignment tab.

Notice that the Text direction is 0º. Next to the degrees box, there is a compass indicating the text directly visually.
Either enter the figure 315º or click on the 315º point on the compass.
Click OK.
Experiment with other orientations of text in cells.

Add border effects to a cell, cell range

The gridlines that you see on your screen indicated the edges of the cells. You can, if you wish, add borders to cells or ranges of cells.

Suppose, in the following screen, we wish to put a border round the range of cells C5:H9 as well as vertical lines between the columns.

Select the range of cells for which you wish to define the borders. In this case, it would be C5:H9.
Format->Cells
Select the Borders tab.
Select a Colour for the borders. In the example below, red has been selected.
Select a Style. In the example below, 2.5 pt has been selected.

The Line arrangement section allows you to select a predefined option in Default or to create your own custom arrangement under User-defined.

Click the Top, bottom, left, right and centre positions in the User-defined window.

As you click on a position, it will add a line. You may remove a line you have added by clicking on it.
Click OK.

	Note
	In the Borders tab you could have also added a shadow effect to your borders.


Contents		Chapter 6. Charts