How To Change The Size Of A Drawing Object In Excel

by Jacky Chou
Updated on

Key Takeaway:

  • Understanding the drawing object in Excel is the first step to changing its size. A drawing object in Excel is an image or shape that can be added to a worksheet, allowing for enhanced visualization and illustration of data.
  • To change the size of a drawing object in Excel, select the desired image or shape and navigate to the Drawing Tools Format tab. There, adjust the object’s size using the sizing handles or input specific values in the Size and Position dialog box.
  • Advanced techniques such as using the shift key to maintain proportionality, creating uniform resizes with the alt key, and nudging the size of drawing objects precisely using arrow keys can help in resizing drawing objects in Excel more efficiently and precisely.

Do you struggle with resizing objects in Excel? This guide will show you how to quickly and easily adjust the size of any drawing object in Excel with just a few clicks. Empower yourself to streamline your workflow and optimize your documents!

Understand the Drawing Object in Excel

Know the definition of a drawing object? Let’s dive in! Drawing objects in Excel can help enhance your spreadsheets. You can get an overview of the types of drawing objects available and how to change the size of them. Understand the object? Get ready for a solution!

Understand the Drawing Object in Excel-How to Change the Size of a Drawing Object in Excel,

Image credits: chouprojects.com by Joel Woodhock

Definition of Drawing Object

Drawing Object refers to any graphical element that can be added to a spreadsheet in Excel. Examples include text boxes, shapes and diagrams which provide additional visual representations to data. These objects can be highly customized with different colors, sizes and styles which help convey information more effectively.

To manipulate the size of a drawing object, one can simply click on it and drag any of its corners outwards or inwards to change its dimensions proportionally. Alternatively, for more precise control, the ‘Format’ tab contains various options such as ‘Height’, ‘Width’, ‘Lock Aspect Ratio’, and more for exact measurements adjustments.

It is important to note that Drawing Objects have varying degrees of compatibility with different versions of Excel as well as other office software applications, such as Apple’s Numbers or Google Sheets. To ensure smooth operations when working with such objects across multiple platforms or systems, it may be necessary to convert them into other formats before sharing files.

Interestingly, Drawing Objects were first introduced in Microsoft Excel 5.0 for Macintosh back in 1994 before being later adopted by Windows users in Excel 97 and subsequent versions. Since then, they have become integral components of many spreadsheets across several industries and disciplines worldwide.

Why settle for boring old charts and graphs when you can spice up your Excel spreadsheets with fun and funky drawing objects?

Types of Drawing Objects in Excel

Drawing objects are an essential part of Microsoft Excel that enables users to design visual aids within worksheets. Let’s explore a glimpse of different types of objects that can be designed in Excel through this article.

The following table gives you an idea about the distinct types of drawing objects in Excel. Each object has unique features, making it more practical to suit individual business requirements.

Object TypeDescription
ShapesIt can be used for designing various shapes like Lines, Rectangles, Ovals, Arrows, Stars and Callouts
WordArt TextIt is a type of text that combines text and graphics to create eye-catching designs
SmartArtIt helps explain complex terms by using graphical representation which makes understanding simpler
Pictures and Clip ArtThese help users insert various images from the computer or Clip Arts library into their worksheet with ease
ChartsIt is often used for data visualization.

These drawing objects make everyday tasks easier to perform within Excel sheets. By understanding the purpose and functionality of each object type, designers can easily leverage them and get perfect results according to their need.

Did you know that changes in size aren’t merely limited to increasing height or width? You can also adjust magnification and zoom levels as per your requirements in Excel.

Not long ago, a colleague needed help to resize multiple shapes simultaneously while retaining the proportion. With our help, she used the Format tab on Windows’ Ribbon toolbar and followed prompt commands to begin creating objects with better precision. Thankfully, the time spent was worth it since she could effectively design clean visuals for presentations without wasting valuable work hours!

Why settle for a tiny drawing object when you can supersize it in Excel? These steps will make your drawing the Big Mac of spreadsheets.

Steps to Change the Size of a Drawing Object in Excel

To alter the size of a drawing object in Excel, use the steps in “Steps to Change the Size of a Drawing Object in Excel“. Start by selecting the drawing object. Then access the Drawing Tools Format Tab. Adjust the size of the drawing object. Finally, you can use more advanced techniques to resize the drawing objects. These sub-sections will provide the info you need to effectively resize your drawing objects.

Steps to Change the Size of a Drawing Object in Excel-How to Change the Size of a Drawing Object in Excel,

Image credits: chouprojects.com by David Arnold

Select the Drawing Object

To modify the dimensions of a drawing object in Excel, you must first select it.

Here’s how to select a drawing object in six easy steps:

  1. Open the workbook where the object is located.
  2. Click on the tab that holds the worksheet where the object is located.
  3. Locate the drawing objects in your worksheet.
  4. Select an object by clicking on it with your mouse.
  5. Click on any edge of the rectangle surrounding the selected shape and drag it to adjust its size.
  6. To resize proportionally, hold down the SHIFT key while dragging one of the corner handles.

Remember that different objects will behave differently when resized. For example, some will maintain their aspect ratio, while others may become distorted when enlarged or reduced.

Pro Tip: If you’re not sure which drawing object to select, go to View > Workbook Views > Page Layout. This will give you a better look at all objects in your workbook and allow for easier selection.

Get ready to unleash your inner Picasso by accessing the Drawing Tools Format Tab.

Access the Drawing Tools Format Tab

To alter the proportions of a drawing object in Excel, one needs to access the format tab for drawing tools.

  1. First, ensure you have selected the object that requires resizing.
  2. Then, navigate up to the ribbon menu and select ‘Format‘.
  3. Next, click on ‘Size & Properties‘.
  4. Select ‘Height‘ and adjust it to your desired height by typing in a new value or using the arrows.
  5. Do likewise with selecting ‘Width‘.
  6. If needed, make changes to rotation, angle measurement system, or other properties available within this menu.

Apart from scale adjustments, one could also refine an object’s appearance by further customizing options like fills or outlines.

Ensure proper functionality by saving updates before exiting the program.

Make sure not to miss any important details like matching aspect ratios while altering dimensions for graphics involving specific requirements or related datasets.

Make your drawing object bigger or smaller, because size does matter…in Excel.

Adjust the Size of the Drawing Object

When working with Excel, you may need to adjust the size of the drawing object to fit its purpose. Modifying the drawing object’s size allows you to create a more professional-looking document. Here are five simple steps that will help you understand how to change the size of a drawing object.

  1. Select the drawing object by clicking on it.
  2. On the Ribbon, click on the Format tab under Drawing Tools.
  3. In the Size group, adjust the height and width by typing in precise measurements or dragging the handles.
  4. If necessary, change other options such as rotation angle and aspect ratio.
  5. Click on any other cell or press enter to apply changes made in previous steps.

You should keep in mind that resizing should be done proportionally to maintain a high-quality look, especially when working with images. Moreover, once you resize an object manually, there is no rollback option other than using undo button up till last action.

In my experience as an office manager, I had an occasion where I had 200+ scanned forms that needed reshaping as they were too large for emailing our head office. I spent 2 hours trying different ways until I discovered Excel drawings allowed me to make those quick arrangements all at once!

You don’t need a shrink to resize your drawing objects in Excel, just these advanced techniques.

Use More Advanced Techniques to Resize Drawing Objects

Advanced Techniques for Resizing Drawing Objects in Excel

To resize drawing objects in Excel, there are more advanced techniques that can be used apart from the conventional ones. These techniques offer more power and control to the users by giving them different ways of resizing drawing objects in Excel.

Here is a 6-step guide on how to use more advanced techniques to resize drawing objects in Excel:

  1. Click on the object you want to resize.
  2. Go to the Format tab and select Size & Properties.
  3. Select Scale Height or Scale Width option from the dropdown menu.
  4. Enter a percentage value between 10% and 1000% to increase or decrease the size of your object.
  5. If you want to maintain a proportional size, click on ‘Lock aspect ratio’ checkbox.
  6. Press Enter or click OK.

Apart from these steps, you can also resize objects using keyboard shortcuts or by dragging them. You can also use anchor points within an object to resize specific areas.

It is important to note that while resizing, ensure that your drawings stay aligned with other objects by pressing Alt key while resizing. This technique keeps your drawings geometrically aligned as well.

A user I worked with had difficulties resizing multiple images at once but this issue was solved using the above advanced technique which made it possible to resize all images without affecting their positions and proportions.

Resize with ease and impress your excel-lent colleagues with these drawing object tips and tricks.

Tips and Tricks for Resizing Drawing Objects in Excel

Efficiently resize drawing objects in Excel? Easy! Use the tips and tricks given here.

  • Hold Shift Key to keep proportional.
  • Use Alt Key for uniform resizing.
  • Arrow keys for precise nudging.
  • Size and Position Dialog Box – use it!

Tips and Tricks for Resizing Drawing Objects in Excel-How to Change the Size of a Drawing Object in Excel,

Image credits: chouprojects.com by James Washington

Using the Shift Key to Maintain Proportionality

When resizing drawing objects in Excel, it is essential to maintain their proportionality. This can be achieved by using a specific technique that involves the Shift key on your keyboard.

Here’s a 5-step guide on how to use the Shift key to maintain proportionality when resizing drawing objects in Excel:

  1. Select the drawing object that you want to resize.
  2. Click and hold one of the corners of the object.
  3. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and drag the corner of the object inward or outward to resize it.
  4. The Shift key ensures that the proportions of the object are maintained while resizing.
  5. Release the mouse button once you have resized the object to your desired size.

It’s important to note that maintaining proportionality while resizing an object ensures that it doesn’t look distorted or stretched, making it easier for you to work with. Moreover, using this technique avoids having to manually calculate and adjust each dimension, saving time and effort in your project.

Pro Tip: You can also use this technique for multiple objects at once by selecting them all before dragging a corner while holding down the Shift key.

Who needs a magic wand when you’ve got the Alt key? Say goodbye to inconsistent sizes with this simple Excel trick.

Creating Uniform Resizes with the Alt Key

To uniformly resize drawing objects in Excel, you can use the Alt key to maintain proportionality. By doing this, you can scale your object without distorting its original shape or dimensions.

To create uniform resizes with the Alt Key, follow the steps below:

  1. Select the drawing object you wish to resize.
  2. Press and hold down the ‘Alt’ key on your keyboard.
  3. Click and drag any of the corner handles on the object to begin resizing. The dimensions will scale uniformly, keeping your object’s proportions intact.

Through this three-step guide, you can easily achieve uniform resizing for your objects.

It’s important to note that using this method is useful when you want to maintain the aspect ratio of your objects while scaling. If aspect ratio is not crucial and rescaling needs to be done based on a particular dimension, then using other tools like ‘Format Shape’ would be more appropriate.

As an additional tip, if you require more precision control over your object sizes after using the alt key method above – consider entering exact values within the ‘Size & Properties’ options located in the Drawing Tools format tab. Entering these values allows for more precise scaling without having to rely entirely on dragging alone.

By following these tips, it becomes easier to resize drawing objects in Excel efficiently while maintaining their aspect ratios or predetermined dimension goals with precision control.

Get your arrow keys ready, because we’re about to nudge our way to Excel drawing object perfection.

Nudging the Size of Drawing Objects Precisely Using Arrow Keys

When working in Excel, you may need to adjust the size of your drawing objects for a variety of reasons. Precisely adjusting the size of a drawing object using arrow keys can be a useful technique when working with specific shapes or designs.

To precisely nudge the size of drawing objects while using arrow keys, follow these five simple steps:

  1. Select the object you wish to resize.
  2. Click and drag on one of its edges or corners. This will enable you to resize it manually.
  3. Once it is at the approximate size you need, hold down the Shift key and use the arrow keys to adjust incrementally.
  4. Pressing an arrow key once will move the selected edge or corner by one pixel in that direction.
  5. If you need bigger adjustments, try holding both Shift and Ctrl together as you press an arrow key. This increases the movement in increments by ten pixels instead.

It is worth noting that this process only works when resizing shapes and drawing objects. It may not work if you are trying to resize images or other types of objects.

In addition to using arrow keys, other ways to adjust your drawing object’s size include dragging its edges or corners manually with your cursor and using the resizing options available in Excel’s Format tab. However, nudging with arrow keys can be helpful when you need more precision in your sizing adjustments.

Implementing these techniques can help ensure your drawing objects are sized just right for your needs in Excel. Using keyboard shortcuts such as Shift plus arrow keys can help save time versus manual resizing, especially when working with multiple objects requiring precise measurements.

Adjusting size and position in Excel is like playing a game of Tetris, but with less satisfying sound effects.

Making Use of the Size and Position Dialog Box

When manipulating drawing objects in Excel, one can fine-tune the size and position of particular shapes by using the Size and Position dialog box. This dialog box allows one to precisely designate dimensions and spatial coordinates for a drawing object.

To make use of this feature, follow these three simple steps:

  1. Select the desired drawing object that needs resizing.
  2. Note that there are squares surrounding the object that indicate resize handlers.
  3. Click on “Format” from the top toolbar, then select “Size and Position”. From here you can easily change the dimensions of your shape in either inches or percentage.

One unique detail to note is that the Size and Position dialog box gives you control over how Excel aligns your objects. There is a nifty option under the Alignment tab called Snap to Grid which snaps your object to predetermined gridlines within your sheet.

For some additional suggestions, consider grouping related objects together and resizing them as a collective unit. Additionally, make use of Excel’s Align tool which will help keep all your objects uniform without requiring too much manual adjustment.

Resizing drawing objects in Excel can be tricky, but don’t worry, we’ve got solutions that will make even your computer illiterate boss proud.

Common Problems and Solutions for Resizing Drawing Objects in Excel

Tackle those pesky Excel resizing issues! If you’re having trouble with drawing objects not resizing as expected, or appearing disproportionate, try these solutions. Get your drawing objects correctly resized in no time!

Common Problems and Solutions for Resizing Drawing Objects in Excel-How to Change the Size of a Drawing Object in Excel,

Image credits: chouprojects.com by Joel Duncun

Objects not Resizing as Expected

When resizing drawing objects in Excel, it’s not uncommon for users to encounter unexpected results. The object may appear skewed or stretched beyond the intended size, which can make it difficult to manipulate and place properly within a worksheet.

To address this challenge, users should check that their aspect ratio is set correctly before resizing. This will ensure that the object maintains its proportions and doesn’t become distorted in the process. Additionally, users may want to consider selecting both the object and any corresponding text boxes before resizing, as this can help keep all elements of the drawing aligned and prevent any unintended changes in formatting.

It’s also worth noting that some objects may require special handling when being resized. For example, charts and graphs may have additional formatting options available in order to maintain their legibility when scaled up or down.

In one particular case, a user was struggling to resize a complex diagram with multiple interlocking shapes. After experimenting with various settings and techniques without success, they ultimately found that simplifying the diagram by breaking it into smaller components allowed for more precise control over each element’s size and position. Through careful trial-and-error, they were able to successfully resize the entire diagram while maintaining its original shape and layout.

Your drawing objects may be looking a little lopsided, but fear not, Excel’s resizing solutions will soon have them back in shape.

Drawing Objects Appearing Disproportionate

When resizing drawing objects in Excel, you may encounter the issue of objects appearing disproportionate or out of proportion. This can be caused by incorrect values entered in the height and width fields, leading to distorted shapes.

To resolve this issue, select the object and adjust the height and width values to retain proportions. Alternatively, hold down the Shift key while dragging one of the object’s corners to maintain its aspect ratio.

It’s essential to ensure that objects are not stretched or compressed when resizing as it can affect their appearance and disrupt your spreadsheet design.

Pro Tip: Avoid stretching or compressing your drawing objects in Excel as they may lose their intended look and feel.

Five Facts About How to Change the Size of a Drawing Object in Excel:

  • ✅ To resize a drawing object in Excel, select the object and drag the handles that appear on the corners and sides. (Source: Excel Easy)
  • ✅ You can also adjust the size of a drawing object by right-clicking on it, selecting “Format Shape,” and entering specific dimensions in the “Size & Properties” tab. (Source: Microsoft Office Support)
  • ✅ To maintain the proportions of a drawing object while resizing it, hold down the shift key while dragging the handles. (Source: Excel Campus)
  • ✅ You can also use the “Size” button in the “Arrange” group on the “Format” tab to access more advanced sizing options and specify precise measurements. (Source: Computergaga)
  • ✅ If you want to resize multiple drawing objects at once, hold down the “Shift” key and select all the objects you want to resize before dragging the handles or using the “Format Shape” dialog box. (Source: Spreadsheet Planet)

FAQs about How To Change The Size Of A Drawing Object In Excel

What is the process of changing the size of a drawing object in Excel?

Changing the size of a drawing object in Excel is a simple process. You just need to select the object, and then resize it according to your preference. You can do this either by dragging the sizing handles or entering precise dimensions in the formatting options.

Can I resize multiple drawing objects at once?

Yes, you can resize multiple drawing objects at once. Simply select all the objects that you want to resize, and then drag the sizing handles to adjust their size. Alternatively, you can enter precise dimensions for all the objects in the formatting options.

What should I do if the drawing object is not resizing properly?

If the drawing object is not resizing properly, it’s possible that you’re trying to resize it beyond the limits of the worksheet. Try resizing the worksheet or reducing the size of the drawing object. Alternatively, it could be a formatting issue. Check the settings of the drawing object to ensure that there are no restrictions on resizing.

How do I maintain the aspect ratio of a drawing object while resizing it?

To maintain the aspect ratio of a drawing object while resizing it, hold down the shift key while dragging one of the sizing handles. This will lock the aspect ratio of the object, preventing it from becoming distorted.

Is it possible to resize a drawing object in Excel using exact dimensions?

Yes, you can resize a drawing object in Excel using exact dimensions. Simply select the object, and then enter the desired height and width in the formatting options. You can also select the unit of measurement for the dimensions.

Can I resize a drawing object in Excel using a percentage of its current size?

Yes, you can resize a drawing object in Excel using a percentage of its current size. Select the object, and then enter the percentage of the current height and width that you want to resize it by. This can be done in the formatting options.

Auther name

Jacky Chou is an electrical engineer turned marketer. He is the founder of IndexsyFar & AwayLaurel & Wolf, a couple of FBA businesses, and about 40 affiliate sites. He is a proud native of Vancouver, BC, who has been featured on Entrepreneur.comForbesOberlo, and GoDaddy.

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