It is a known fact that the human brain is able to process graphical information far more efficiently than text. A number of studies have indicated 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual, and visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text. 40% of people will respond better to visual information than plain text. It is therefore very beneficial to enhance your work with graphics. Here are a couple of great graphic tricks you can use in Microsoft Office Word and Excel that you can try to make your work stand out.

Wrap Text Around an Image in Microsoft Word

When you have an image's wrap set to Square or to Tight, the text will wrap around the image. As most images are rectangular, the wrap will be a rectangle too, but you can change this if you wish.

Choose the Page Layout tab, Select the image, Format, and then select Wrap Text icon, Edit Wrap Points. You can adjust the nodes that control how text wraps around the image. More nodes can be added by clicking and dragging anywhere on the line. To remove a node, hold down the Control key and click the node. When you’re done, click outside the graphic box area to make the adjustment lines disappear.

 

Use Picture Charts in Microsoft Excel

Another great enhancement you can try is to personalise standard Excel charts with images.

Instead of filling bars with solid colors, you can fill them with images. To do this, select the column or bar that you want to change, and right-click the mouse. Choose Format Data Series, Fill and select Picture or texture fill. Select an image to use from your computer, Clip Art collection, or from the Clipboard. Ensure to click ‘Stacked’ to ensure that the images are stacked and not stretched, and click Close.

 

To learn more about how to harness the many useful functions, why not come and try an Applied Education Microsoft Office based training course? We have a variety of courses in Word, Excel, Outlook, Project and Access.

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