Formatting panel stacks using the Format Objects dialog box

Before you begin

You should be familiar with the different parts of a panel stack. See Defining the parts of a panel stack for detailed descriptions.

The Format Objects dialog box allows you to format the title bar and container of a panel stack, as well as the individual panels. The container is the panel stack itself, so applying borders, for example, to the panel stack applies the border to all the panels in the panel stack.

You can format the:

• Borders of a panel stack container

• Font, background, alignment, and borders of the title bar

• Background of the current panel (the panel that is displayed)

The border options include 3D borders and drop shadows, while the background options include gradient colors and transparent or opaque backstyles.

Prerequisite

This procedure assumes you have added a panel stack to the document. For instructions, see Adding panel stacks to documents.

To format a panel stack

1. Open the document in the Document Editor. (How?)

2. If the panel stack does not yet have a title bar, you can add it by following the steps below:

   1. 1. Select the panel stack to format.

      2. In the Property List: View section, set Show title bar to True.

3. Right-click the panel stack to format, and select Format. The Format Objects dialog box opens.

   • Format the panel stack container

   • The panel stack container is the object that holds the actual panel stack.

4. Select Container in the object list on the left.

5. Use the Border tab to define the border around the panel stack. For instructions, see Format the border.

6. Use the Effects tab to apply a 3D effect or a drop shadow, and overwrite the border settings. You can also apply rounded corners to the panel stack. For instructions, see Applying 3D effects to controls, Applying drop shadows to controls, and Displaying rounded corners on panel stacks (Flash Mode only).

   • The 3D effect makes the panel stack appear three-dimensional, like a button.

   • A drop shadow "floats" the panel stack on top of the background.

   • Rounded corners are displayed only in Flash Mode in MicroStrategy Web, and replace the regular square, right-angle corners.

7. Use the Background tab to set the background fill of the current panel (the panel that is displayed). Choose one of the following:

   • To use a single color as the background, set the Background style to Solid. Use the Fill color drop-down list to select the background color.

   • You can instead shade the panel using gradient colors, which combine two colors. For instructions, see Applying gradient colors.

   • To allow what is behind the panel to show through, set the Background style to Transparent.

   • Format the title bar

8. Select Title in the object list on the left.

9.  To align the text vertically and horizontally within the title bar:

   1. 1. Click the Alignment tab.

      2. Set the Horizontal alignment to Left, Right, or Center.

      3. Set the Vertical alignment to Top, Bottom, or Center.

10. To change the amount of space between the text and the border of the control (padding):

    1. 1. Click the Alignment tab.

       2. You can add padding to the Left, Right, Top, and/or Bottom of the control.

11. Use the Font tab to format the font, such as color, size, and style. For instructions, see Format the font.

12. Use the Border tab to add and format a border to the title bar. For instructions, see Format borders.

13. Use the Background tab to set the background fill of the title bar. Choose one of the following:

    • To use a single color as the background, set the Background style to Solid. Use the Fill color drop-down list to select the background color.

    • You can instead shade the title bar using gradient colors, which combine two colors. For instructions, see Applying gradient colors.

    • To allow what is behind the title bar to show through, set the Background style to Transparent.

14. Click OK to return to the document.