Microsoft Word 2003
WordArt (Turn your speakers
WordArt allows you to add extra effects to text, such as:
Inserting A WordArt Object
- Place your cursor approximately where you want the WordArt.
- Select Insert from the menu bar then choose Picture, then
WordArt - or click on the WordArt button
on the drawing toolbar. The WordArt Gallery window will appear:
- Select a style from the style gallery then click on OK. The
Edit WordArt window will appear:
- Enter the text for your WordArt. If you want the text to span over more
than one line (like above), press Enter to cut off each line.
- If desired, you can change the font and font size and add bolding and/or
italics to the effect.
- Choose OK when done.
Note: When you insert WordArt it is treated as an image/graphic, i.e.
spell check will not check your text, WordArt can be sized and controlled as
you would for an image file.
Using The WordArt Toolbar
It is easiest to edit the WordArt object by using the WordArt toolbar. To
view it, click once on the WordArt object – the toolbar should appear
(possibly at the bottom of your window) - if it doesn't, turn it on.
Refer to the following headings for more information on how to use each of
the buttons available on the WordArt toolbar to edit and customize your effect.
- Insert WordArt - to insert a new WordArt image (back at step 1.)
- Edit Text - to edit the text within the selected WordArt image.
- WordArt Gallery - to select a different style from the WordArt gallery
(as displayed above).
- Format WordArt - to edit the colors within and around the characters.
There are four tabs available in the Format WordArt window. Select the Colors
and Lines tab to effect (you guessed it) the colors and lines. The following
options are available:
WordArt Shape - to change the shape of the WordArt. Select from one
of the following shapes:
- To change the color within the WordArt, click on the list button
in the Color field in the Fill area. Select a different color
or choose More colors or Fill Effects (to fill with gradient
colors, textures, patterns or pictures). Oh so many choices!
- To edit the transparency of the WordArt, slide the transparency
bar or enter a value.
- To change the color, style, and thickness of the lines around the letters,
use the list button
in the Color, Dashed, and Weight fields in the Line
WordArt Same Letter Heights - to make all letters and characters
the same height, regardless of whether you typed them in UPPER or lower case.
Don't choose this option if you have any punctuation as it will stretch those
characters too, i.e. a period will become an l. This is a toggle button so
if you don't like the effect, simply click on this button again.
WordArt Vertical Text - to change your text direction from horizontal
to vertical. This is a toggle button so if you don't like the effect, simply
click on this button again.
WordArt Alignment - to change the alignment of the text within the
WordArt. You can also stretch the letters. Try the various choices, you can
always come back to the default of centered. Some of these choices are only
noticeable with WordArt containing 2 or more lines of text.
WordArt Character Spacing - to adjust the spacing between the WordArt
To rotate a WordArt image:
- Select the WordArt with a single click. Notice that a green circle handle appears at the top of your WordArt.
- Drag the green circle handle (at the top of your WordArt) to rotate it.
Need More Wave In Your Wave Or Slant In Your Slant?
To increase or decrease the amount of effect in your WordArt:
- Select the WordArt with a single click. Notice that one or more yellow diamond handles appear around the WordArt.
- Drag the yellow diamonds in, our, left or right to increase or decrease
the amount of the effect.
You can also use many of the controls available on the drawing toolbar
to edit the WordArt . How about some 3D effects?
(Article links available with subscription)