Microsoft Office

Worksheet Formatting 7
FIGURE 7.9
Use the Border tab of the Format Cells dialog box for more control over cell borders.
Adding a background image to a worksheet
Excel also enables you to choose a graphics file to serve as a background for a worksheet. This effect is similar
to the wallpaper that you may display on your Windows desktop or as a background for a Web page.
To add a background to a worksheet, choose Page Layout ➪ Page Setup ➪ Background. Excel displays a
dialog box that enables you to select a graphics file (all common graphic file formats are supported). When
you locate a file, click Insert. Excel tiles the graphic across your worksheet. Some images are specifically
designed to be tiled, such as the one shown in Figure 7.10. This type of image is often used for Web page
backgrounds, and it creates a seamless background.
You also want to turn off the gridline display because the gridlines show through the graphic. Some backgrounds
make viewing text difficult, so you may want to use a solid background color for cells that contain
text.
Keep in mind that using a background image will increase the size of your workbook. This may be a consideration
if you plan to e-mail the workbook to others.
NOTE
The graphic background on a worksheet is for on-screen display only — it isn’t printed when
you print the worksheet.
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