MicroStrategy ONE
Formatting shapes
When you insert a line or a rectangle into a document, its formatting is determined by the control defaults. However, you can change the formatting and appearance as described below:
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For all formatting options, format shapes using the Property List. Formatting options consist of colors, including gradient colors for rectangles, and rectangle borders (including 3D borders and drop shadows). The general and layout properties include the properties that define the shape, such as name, position, and size. For procedures, see Formatting lines using the Property List and Formatting rectangles using the Property List (includes rounded rectangles as well as rectangles).
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For easy access to color options for rectangles and rounded rectangles, use the Formatting toolbar.
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For easy access to color options for rectangles and rounded rectangles, use the right-click options.
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For color options (for rectangles and rounded rectangles only) and line settings (for lines and rectangles only), format shapes using the Format Objects dialog box. For procedures, see:
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Formatting rounded rectangles using the Format Objects dialog box
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For general and layout properties that define the shape, use the Properties dialog box. These properties include name, position, and size. For procedures, see Setting line properties and Specifying rectangle properties.
The Property List is the easiest to use, as it contains all the options of the other interfaces on the same screen as the Layout area.
Formatting rectangles vs. rounded rectangles
Rectangles and rounded rectangles have a few differences:
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The borders, including 3D effects, on rounded rectangles are rendered only in Flash Mode in MicroStrategy Web. For information on Flash Mode, see About display modes in MicroStrategy Web. (Borders on square-cornered rectangles are displayed in all views and modes.)
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Rounded rectangles have additional properties to define the radius of the rounded corners and whether rounded corners are displayed for the top corners only or all four corners. For more information and examples, see Controlling the display of rounded corners in Flash mode.
Useful formatting suggestions
For more information on some of the formatting options, see the following topics:
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Make the rectangle appear three-dimensional, like a button, with the 3D effect. You cannot use 3D effects on lines. For rounded rectangles, 3D effects appear only in Flash Mode in MicroStrategy Web. For detailed instructions, see Applying 3D effects.
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"Float" the line or rectangle above the background by using a drop shadow. For detailed instructions, see Applying drop shadows.
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Create a gradual color change by blending two colors using gradient colors on the rectangle. Lines cannot use gradient colors. For detailed instructions, see Applying gradient colors.
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Display pop-up text when a user positions the cursor over the control in MicroStrategy Web with a tooltip. The tooltip can provide extra information, such as an expanded description of the control. For detailed instructions, see Creating pop-up tooltips.
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Display a line or rectangle to other document designers in Design View while hiding it from users viewing the document in PDF View (MicroStrategy Developer or MicroStrategy Web), Editable Mode, and Express Mode in MicroStrategy Web. To do this, you hide the control by using the Visible property. For detailed instructions, see Hiding controls.