Difference between revisions of "Creating and Managing Free Boxes for Version 7.0"

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==About Creating and Managing Free Boxes==
 
==About Creating and Managing Free Boxes==
  
1) '''Free boxes''' are similar to '''Comment boxes''', except that they are '''not''' attached to or associated with a task or milestone.  
+
'''Free boxes''' are similar to '''Comment boxes''', except that they are '''not''' attached to or associated with a task bar or milestone symbol. '''Free boxes''' are similar to text boxes in Microsoft PowerPoint. Unlike '''Comment boxes''', '''Free boxes''' can only be '''created''' in the chart by using the OnePager '''Insert''' ribbon tool bar tab and the '''Free Box''' button along with manipulation of your mouse and left-click button.
 
+
2) '''Free boxes''' are similar to text boxes in Microsoft PowerPoint.
+
 
+
3) Unlike '''Comment boxes''', '''Free boxes''' can only be '''created''' in the chart by using the OnePager ribbon's '''Insert''' tab and '''Free Box''' button along with manipulation of your mouse and left-click button.
+
  
 
===Default Free Box Settings===
 
===Default Free Box Settings===
  
4) Also, unlike '''Comment boxes''' the '''Free box's''' setting options are limited and preset within OnePager Pro and Express.
+
Also, unlike '''Comment boxes''' the '''Free box's''' setting options are limited and preset within OnePager Pro and Express. That is, there are no '''Template Properties''' or '''Chart Properties''' form tabs devoted to '''Free boxes'''. The '''Shape Properties''' form shown below represents the '''default properties''' of any '''Free box''' created using the OnePager Pro or Express '''Insert''' ribbon tool bar tab's '''Free Box''' button on the ribbon:
 
+
5) That is, there are no '''Template''' or '''Chart Properties''' form tabs devoted to '''Free boxes'''.
+
 
+
6) The '''Shape Properties''' form shown below represents the '''default properties''' of any '''Free box''' created using the OnePager Pro or Express '''Insert''' tab '''Free Box''' button on the ribbon:
+
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(1A-1)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(1A-1)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(1A-1)-10072029.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(1A-1)-10072029.png</center>-->
 
+
7) As shown in the above '''Shape Properties''' form, the '''editing''' options are limited to '''text string''', typical '''text string editing tools''', '''Free box positions value setting''', '''color''' choices for the '''Free box's background''' and '''border line''', and '''Transparency''' checkbox.
+
  
8) The '''Maintain aspect ratio''' checkbox is discussed below.
+
As shown in the above '''Shape Properties''' form, the '''editing''' options are limited to '''text string''', typical '''text string editing tools''', '''Free box width and height value setting''', '''color''' choices for the '''Free box's background''' and '''border line''', and '''Transparency''' checkbox. The '''Maintain aspect ratio''' checkbox is discussed below.
  
 
===Editing Free Box Global Setting in the Chart===
 
===Editing Free Box Global Setting in the Chart===
  
9) As mentioned above, OnePager does not provide any '''global editing''' controls for '''Free boxes'''.
+
As mentioned above, OnePager does not provide any '''global editing''' controls for '''Free boxes'''. Rather, the initial settings for '''Free box''' parameters are preset in the '''Shape Properties''' form for both OnePager  Pro and Express. After '''creating''' a '''Free box''' you can '''edit''' these initial '''Free box properties''' as needed. To reduce workload when you expect to have several '''Free boxes''' in your chart and snapshots, OnePager provides a '''Make a copy''' command whereby you can '''copy''' a '''Free box''' with the desired configuration, '''move''' it to a different position in the chart, and '''edit''' its '''text string''' or other '''properties''' as needed.
  
 
==Creating a Free Box Using the Insert Tab on the OnePager Ribbon==
 
==Creating a Free Box Using the Insert Tab on the OnePager Ribbon==
Line 30: Line 20:
 
===Creating a Free Box Using the Free Box Button===
 
===Creating a Free Box Using the Free Box Button===
  
1) To create a '''Free box''' in the chart, go to the '''Insert''' tab on the OnePager ribbon and click the '''Free Box''' button as shown below:
+
To create a '''Free box''' in the chart, go to the OnePager '''Insert''' ribbon tool bar tab and click the '''Free Box''' button as shown below:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(1)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(1)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(1)-10072029.png</center>
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<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(1)-10072029.png</center>-->
  
 
===Mouse Cursor Actions For Creating a Free Box===
 
===Mouse Cursor Actions For Creating a Free Box===
  
2) Next, move the '''mouse cursor''' to the location on the '''graph''' where you want to place the '''Free box's''' initial corner, click once, hold down the left-click button, and '''drag''' the mouse to place the '''Free box's'''  other corner in the '''document area''':
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Next, move the '''mouse cursor''' to the location on the '''graph''' where you want to place the '''Free box's''' initial corner, click once, hold down the left-click button, and '''drag''' the mouse to place the '''Free box's'''  other corner in the '''document area''':
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(2)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(2)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(2)-10072029.png</center>
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<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(2)-10072029.png</center>-->
  
3) You can create a '''Free box''' in any direction from the initial corner and by '''dragging''' the mouse in the '''document area''' you can adjust the '''size''' of the '''Free box'''.  
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You can create a '''Free box''' in any direction from the initial corner and by '''dragging''' the mouse in the '''document area''' you can adjust the '''size''' of the '''Free box'''.  
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(3)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(3)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(3)-10072029.png</center>
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<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(3)-10072029.png</center>-->
  
4) When you release the left-click mouse button the '''Free box''' looks something like this:
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When you release the left-click mouse button the '''Free box''' looks something like this:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(4)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(4)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(4)-10072029.png</center>
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<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(4)-10072029.png</center>-->
 +
 
 +
The '''Free box created''' in the illustration above is configured with the starting '''properties''' of '''Free boxes''' as defined in the '''Shape Properties''' form.
  
 
==Changing the Properties of a Free Box==
 
==Changing the Properties of a Free Box==
  
1) Once a '''Free box''' is '''created''' its '''properties''' can be '''edited''' using the '''Shape Properties''' form accessed by right-clicking the '''Free box''' and selecting the '''Properties ...''' command.
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Once a '''Free box''' is '''created''' its '''properties''' can be '''edited''' using the '''Shape Properties''' form accessed by right-clicking the '''Free box''' to access the '''Free box''' right-click '''context menu''' and selecting the '''Properties ...''' command as shown below:
 +
 
 +
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(4A)-09142020.png]]</center>
 +
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(4A)-09142020.png</center>-->
  
 
===Shape Properties Form===
 
===Shape Properties Form===
  
2) The '''Shape properties''' form shown here:
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The '''Shape properties''' form shown here:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(9)-10082029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(9)-10082029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(9)-10082029.png</center>
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<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(9)-10082029.png</center>-->
  
 
===Text Strings===
 
===Text Strings===
  
3) On this form, the window at the top is used for '''inserting''' or '''editing''' the '''text string''' that occupies the inside of the '''Free box'''.
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On this form, the window at the top is used for '''inserting''' or '''editing''' the '''text string''' that occupies the inside of the '''Free box'''. The '''text string''' can be of any length and consist of several individual lines. OnePager configures long '''text strings''' into multiple lines to fit within the defined '''Free box''' and adjusts the '''font size''' to retain the fit. '''Resizing''' the '''Free box''' alters the appearance of the '''text string''' in the '''Free box''' to maintain the minimum number of '''text string''' lines by further adjusting the '''font size'''. Throughout all '''text string''' editing''', OnePager maintains the selected '''text string''' alignments in the '''Free box''' in the '''horizontal''' and '''vertical''' directions. You can '''insert multiple lines''' in the '''text string''' window by placing your own '''carriage returns''' in the text string as shown here:
  
4) The '''text string''' can be of any length and consist of several individual lines.
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<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(10)-10082029.png]]</center>
 +
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(10)-10082029.png</center>-->
  
5) OnePager configures long '''text strings''' into multiple lines to fit within the defined '''Free box''' and adjusts the '''font size''' to retain the fit.
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You can '''edit''' the '''Free box’s Font properties''', its '''text alignments''', its '''dimensions''', its '''fill color''' and its '''line color''' through the use of the '''standard''' controls shown in the '''Shape Properties''' form above.
  
6) '''Resizing''' the '''Free box''' alters the appearance of the '''text string''' in the '''Free box''' to maintain the minimum number of '''text string''' lines by further adjusting the '''font size'''.
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====Editing Free Box Text Fonts====
  
7) Throughout all '''text string''' editing''', OnePager maintains the selected '''text string''' alignments in the '''Free box''' in the '''horizontal''' and '''vertical''' directions.
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There are six (6) controls in the '''Font properties ''' form shown below accessed from the '''Shape Properties''' form which are standard in most applications involving '''text editing''':
  
8) You can '''insert multiple lines''' in the '''text string'' window by placing your own '''carriage returns''' in the text string as shown here:
+
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(10A)-10082029.png]]</center>
 +
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(10A)-10082029.png</center>-->
  
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(10)-10082029.png]]</center>
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These controls include:
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(10)-10082029.png</center>
+
  
9) You can '''edit''' the '''Free box’s Font properties''', its '''text alignments''', its '''dimensions''', its '''fill color''' and its '''line color''' through the use of the '''standard''' controls shown in the '''Shape Properties''' form above.
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:* The '''Font Style''', implemented as a dropdown list, includes the '''font styles''' installed on your computer.
 +
:* Clicking the '''Text Color''' button accesses the standard '''Color Chooser''' form.
 +
:* The '''Font Size''' control is a dropdown list of possible sizes from '''1''' to '''48'''. You can also click in this window and type in a desired '''font size''' integer value.
 +
:* The '''Bold''' button is a toggle that sets the selected '''text string''' as '''Bold text'''.
 +
:* The '''Italics''' button, also a toggle, sets the selected '''text string''' as ''Italic text''.
 +
:* The '''Underline''' button operates as a toggle that setts the selected '''text string''' as [[Underline]].
  
===Font Properties Edits===
+
====Editing Free Box Text Alignments====
  
===Fill Color and Line Color Options===
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There are two (2) sets of three (3)  '''alignment''' buttons each in the '''Shape Properties''' shown above positioning '''text strings''' in the '''Free box'''. The top three (3) '''alignment''' buttons align the selected '''text string''' in a '''Free box horizontally''' within the space enclosed by the '''Free box'''. The bottom three (3) '''alignment''' buttons align the selected '''text string''' in a '''Free box vertically''' within the space enclosed by the '''Free box'''. When the size of the '''Free box''' changes either in a '''horizontal or vertical''' direction, the '''horizontal and vertical text string alignments''' are maintained. OnePager automatically increases or decreases the number of lines of the '''text string''' within the '''Free box''' to prevent the '''text string''' from overlapping a '''Free box boundary'''.
  
10)  You can '''edit''' the '''Fill color''' in the '''Free box''' as well as '''Line color''' or '''Border color''' on the '''Free box''' to accent its appearance.
+
===Editing Free Box Width and Height===
  
11) There are also '''No fill''' options on the '''Free Box’s Fill color''' and '''Line color''' by using the OnePager standard '''Color Chooser''' form accessed through the dropdown buttons on these two controls.   
+
You can manually set the '''width''' and '''height''' of an established '''Free box''' by changing the values in the '''Width and Height''' dial windows of the '''Shape Properties''' form. The units used for the '''Width''' and the '''Height''' values are in either '''inches''' or '''centimeters''' depending on the '''Template''' form used to create the chart.
 +
 
 +
===Maintain Aspect Ratio Checkbox===
 +
 
 +
When the '''Maintain aspect ratio''' checkbox is checked '''ON''' the two dial windows for '''Width and Height''' change together to maintain the same '''aspect ration''' for the selected '''Free box''' as when it was first '''created'''. '''Editing''' the '''Width and Height''' controls does not automatically change the '''Font size''' of the '''text string''' in the '''Free box''' to maintain correspondence with the change in '''Free box dimensions'''. With the '''Maintain aspect ratio''' checkbox checked '''OFF''', the two dial windows for '''Width and Height''' can be '''edited''' independently of one another. Independent operation of the '''Width and Height''' dial window controls offers more control over the dimensions of a '''Free box''' in the chart.
 +
 
 +
===Transparency===
 +
 
 +
The '''Transparency''' checkbox in the '''Shape Properties''' form for the '''Free box''' as the '''Transparency''' checkbox has for the same function in the '''Create or edit comment box''' form for the '''Comment box'''.
 +
 
 +
For more information on the '''Transparency checkbox''' in the '''Comment box''', please see the section in the article at: [[Creating and Managing Comment Boxes for Version 7.0#Transparency Controls | Creating and Managing Comment Boxes-Transparency Controls]] <!--13.0.1-70-->
 +
 
 +
===Fill Color and Line Color Options===
  
12) To access this feature bring up the '''Shape Properties''' form and do the following:
+
You can '''edit''' the '''Fill color''' in the '''Free box''' as well as '''Line color''' or '''Border color''' on the '''Free box''' to accent its appearance. There are also '''No fill''' options on the '''Free Box’s Fill color''' and '''Line color''' by using the OnePager standard '''Color Chooser''' form accessed through the dropdown buttons on these two controls. To use this feature access the '''Shape Properties''' form and do the following:
  
:a) Go to the '''Fill color''' control and click the dropdown button to reveal the '''Color Chooser''' form as shown below:
+
1) Go to the '''Fill color''' control and click the dropdown button to access the standard '''Color Chooser''' form as shown below:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(11)-10082029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(11)-10082029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(11)-10082029.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(11)-10082029.png</center>-->
  
:b) Check the '''No fill''' checkbox which causes the '''Color Chooser''' form to close.
+
2) Check the '''No fill''' checkbox '''ON''' which causes the standard '''Color Chooser''' form to close.
  
:c) Then, click '''OK''' and the selected '''Free box''' looks like this:
+
3) Then, click '''OK''' and the selected '''Free box''' looks like this:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(11A)-10082029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(11A)-10082029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(11A)-10082029.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(11A)-10082029.png</center>-->
  
 
==Editing Free Boxes==
 
==Editing Free Boxes==
  
1) Once a '''Free box''' is '''created''' in the '''document area''', you can '''move it around''', '''resize it''', '''edit''' its properties, or '''delete''' it just as you do for a '''Comment box'''.  
+
Once a '''Free box''' is '''created''' in the '''document area''', you can '''move it around''', '''resize it''', '''edit''' its properties, or '''delete''' it just as you do for a '''Comment box'''.  
  
 
===Moving Free Boxes===
 
===Moving Free Boxes===
  
2) '''Free boxes''' can be easily '''moved''' to different positions in the '''document area''' by first '''selecting''' the '''Free box''' with a left-click.
+
''Free boxes''' can be easily '''moved''' to different positions in the '''document area''' by first '''selecting''' the '''Free box''' with a left-click. Then, with the mouse cursor left-click button held down '''drag''' the '''Free box''' to the desired position as shown below:
 
+
 
+
3) Then, with the mouse cursor left-click button held down '''drag''' the '''Free box''' to the desired position as shown below:
+
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(14)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(14)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(14)-10072029.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(14)-10072029.png</center>-->
 
+
4) Note that the mouse cursor is changed to the '''four-pointed arrow''' when the mouse is left-clicked inside the '''selected Free box''' shown above.
+
  
5) Release the left-click mouse button and the '''Free box''' is re-positioned as shown below:
+
Note that the mouse cursor is changed to the '''four-pointed arrow''' when the mouse is left-clicked inside the '''selected Free box''' shown above. Release the left-click mouse button and the '''Free box''' is re-positioned as shown below:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(15)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(15)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(15)-10072029.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(15)-10072029.png</center>-->
  
 
===Resizing a Free Box===
 
===Resizing a Free Box===
  
6) To '''resize''' a '''Free box''', left-click to '''select it''' and position the mouse cursor on one of the '''eight (8) grab boxes''' or '''grab circles''' shown below:
+
To '''resize''' a '''Free box''', left-click to '''select it''' and position the mouse cursor on one of the '''eight (8) grab boxes''' or '''grab circles''' shown below:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(16)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(16)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(16)-10072029.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(16)-10072029.png</center>-->
  
7) When you do this, the mouse cursor changes shape to a '''Plus sign''' as shown below:
+
When you do this, the mouse cursor changes shape to a '''Plus sign''' as shown below:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(17)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(17)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(17)-10072029.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(17)-10072029.png</center>-->
  
8) '''Drag''' the mouse cursor so that the '''Free box''' is '''resized''' to the desired dimensions in the direction of the '''grab box''' you are using as shown below:
+
'''Drag''' the mouse cursor so that the '''Free box''' is '''resized''' to the desired dimensions in the direction of the '''grab box''' you are using as shown below:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(18)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(18)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(18)-10072029.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(18)-10072029.png</center>-->
  
9) When the desired dimensions are achieved, release the mouse button and the '''Free box''' is resized as shown below:
+
When the desired dimensions are achieved, release the mouse button and the '''Free box''' is resized as shown below:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(19)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(19)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(19)-10072029.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(19)-10072029.png</center>-->
  
===Using the Free Box's Context Menu===
+
===Using the Free Box's Right-Click Context Menu===
  
10) To access these functions, select the box with the mouse and right-click to bring up the '''context menu''' shown below:
+
To use these functions, select the box with the mouse and right-click to access the '''free box''' right-click '''context menu''' shown below:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(5)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(5)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(5)-10072029.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(5)-10072029.png</center>-->
  
11) The '''Free box context menu''' has exactly the same five (5) commands as the '''Comment box context menu''' and these commands along with the sub-commands on the '''Delete''' and '''Order''' sub-commands function in the same way for both types of '''boxes'''.
+
The '''free box''' right-click '''context menu''' has the same five (5) commands as the '''Comment box''' right-click '''context menu''' and these commands along with the sub-commands on the '''Delete''' and '''Order''' sub-commands function in the same way for both types of '''boxes'''.  
  
12)  This similarity in commands, sub-commands, and function being the case, please use the '''Comment box''' '''editing''' instructions in the article at this link as a guide:  [[Creating and Managing Comment Boxes for Version 7.0 | Creating and Managing Comment Boxes]]. 13.0.1-70
+
This similarity in commands, sub-commands, and function being the case, please use the '''Comment box''' '''editing''' instructions in the article at:  [[Creating and Managing Comment Boxes for Version 7.0 | Creating and Managing Comment Boxes]] <!--13.0.1-70-->
  
13)  For more specific information on the use of the '''Delete''' and '''Order''' commands shown in the '''Free box context menu''' above, please use the links below:
+
For more specific information on the use of the '''Delete''' and '''Order''' commands shown in the '''free box''' right-click '''context menu''' above, please use the links below:
  
 
<center>
 
<center>
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
| [[Creating and Managing Free Boxes for Version 7.0#Deleting a Free Box | Deleting a Free Box]] 14.0.1-70
+
| [[Creating and Managing Free Boxes for Version 7.0#Deleting a Free Box | Deleting a Free Box]] <!--14.0.1-70-->
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Creating and Managing Free Boxes for Version 7.0#Ordering Free Boxes | Ordering Free Boxes]] 14.0.1-70
+
| [[Creating and Managing Free Boxes for Version 7.0#Ordering Free Boxes | Ordering Free Boxes]] <!--14.0.1-70-->
 
|}
 
|}
 
</center>
 
</center>
  
14) Discussions for the three (3) remaining commands in the '''Free box content menu''' are covered below at these links:
+
Discussions for the three (3) remaining commands in the '''free box''' right-click '''content menu''' are covered below at these links:
  
 
<center>
 
<center>
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
| [[Creating and Managing Free Boxes for Version 7.0#Make a Copy | Make a Copy]] 14.0.1-70
+
| [[Creating and Managing Free Boxes for Version 7.0#Make a Copy | Make a Copy]] <!--14.0.1-70-->
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Creating and Managing Free Boxes for Version 7.0#Properties ... Command | Properties ... Command]] 14.0.1-70
+
| [[Creating and Managing Free Boxes for Version 7.0#Properties ... Command | Properties ... Command]] <!--14.0.1-70-->
 
|-
 
|-
| | [[Creating and Managing Free Boxes for Version 7.0#Putting Selected Free Boxes in All Snapshots | Putting Free Boxes in All Snapshots]] 14.0.1-70
+
| | [[Creating and Managing Free Boxes for Version 7.0#Putting Selected Free Boxes in All Snapshots | Putting Free Boxes in All Snapshots]] <!--14.0.1-70-->
 
|}
 
|}
 
</center>
 
</center>
  
===Using the OnePager Home Tab's Font, Format, and Alignment Control Groups for Editing Free Boxes===
+
===Using the OnePager Home Ribbon Tool Bar Tab's Font, Format, and Alignment Control Groups for Editing Free Boxes===
  
15) As an alternative, you can use several of the controls on the '''Home''' tab shown below to change the '''properties of text''' within '''Free boxes'''.
+
As an alternative, you can use several of the controls on the '''Home''' tab shown below to change the '''properties of text''' within '''Free boxes'''.
  
<center>[[File:P70-13_0_1-70-(5)-10022019.png]]</center>
+
<center>[[File:P70-13_0_1-70-(5-1)-09142020.png]]</center>
<center>P70-13_0_1-70-(5)-10022019.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-13_0_1-70-(5-1)-09142020.png</center>-->
  
 
====Editing Free Box Text Fonts====
 
====Editing Free Box Text Fonts====
  
16) There are eight (8) controls in the '''Font''' control group shown above which are standard in most applications involving '''text editing'''.
+
There are eight (8) controls in the '''Font''' control group shown above which are standard in most applications involving '''text editing'''.
  
17) These controls include:
+
These controls include:
  
:a) '''Font Style''', implemented on the ribbon as a dropdown list, includes the '''font styles''' installed on your computer.
+
:* The '''Font Style''', implemented on the ribbon as a dropdown list, includes the '''font styles''' installed on your computer.
 +
:* The '''Font Size''' control is a dropdown list of possible sizes from '''1''' to '''48'''. You can also click in this window and type in a desired '''font size''' integer value.
 +
:* The '''Bold''' button is a toggle that sets the selected '''text string''' as '''Bold text'''.
 +
:* The '''Italics''' button, also a toggle, sets the selected '''text string''' as ''Italic text''.
 +
:* The '''Underline''' button operates as a toggle that setts the selected '''text string''' as [[Underline]].
 +
:* The '''Increase font size''' button steps the selected '''text string's font size up''' one with every click.
 +
:* The '''Decrease font size''' button steps the selected '''text string's font size down''' one with every click.  
  
:b) The '''Font Size''' control is a dropdown list of possible sizes from '''1''' to '''48'''. You can also click in this window and type in a desired '''font size''' integer value.
+
Clicking the '''Text Color''' button accesses the standard '''Color Chooser''' form.
 
+
:c) The '''Bold''' button is a toggle that sets the selected '''text string''' as '''Bold text'''.
+
 
+
:d) The '''Italics''' button, also a toggle, sets the selected '''text string''' as ''Italic text''.
+
 
+
:e) The '''Underline''' button operates as a toggle that setts the selected '''text string''' as [[Underline]].
+
 
+
:f) The '''Increase font size''' button steps the selected '''text string's font size up''' one with every click.
+
 
+
:g) The '''Decrease font size''' button steps the selected '''text string's font size down''' one with every click.
+
 
+
:h) Clicking the '''Text Color''' button accesses the standard '''Color Chooser''' form.
+
  
 
====Editing Free Box Text Formats====
 
====Editing Free Box Text Formats====
  
18) In the '''Format''' control group shown above only the '''Text Color''' button (shown as a paint bucket) is '''enabled''' when a '''Free box''' is selected.
+
In the '''Format''' control group shown above only the '''Text Color''' button (shown as a paint bucket) is '''enabled''' when a '''Free box''' is selected. The '''Format...''' button shown above as a '''color palette icon''' is '''disabled''' as '''Free boxes''' are not supported by the '''Change Task/Milestone Properties''' form.
 
+
19) The '''Format...''' button shown above as a '''color palette icon''' is '''disabled''' as '''Free boxes''' are not supported by the '''Change Task/Milestone Properties''' form.
+
  
 
====Editing Free Box Text Alignments====
 
====Editing Free Box Text Alignments====
  
20) There are two sets of three '''alignment''' buttons in the '''Alignment''' control group shown above related to the '''text strings''' in '''Free boxes'''.
+
There are two (2) sets of three '''alignment''' buttons in the '''Alignment''' control group shown above related to the '''text strings''' in '''Free boxes'''. The top three (3) '''alignment''' buttons align the selected '''text string''' in a '''Free box''' '''vertically''' within the space enclosed by the '''Free box'''. The bottom three (3) '''alignment''' buttons align the selected '''text string''' in a '''Free box horizontally''' within the space enclosed by the '''Free box'''. When the size of the '''Free box''' changes either in a '''horizontal or vertical''' direction, the '''vertical and horizontal''' '''text string alignments''' are maintained. OnePager automatically increases or decreases the number of lines of the '''text string''' within the '''Free box''' to prevent the '''text string''' from overlapping a '''Free box boundary'''.
 
+
2) The top three '''alignment''' buttons align the selected '''text string''' in a '''Free box''' '''vertically''' within the space enclosed by the '''Free box'''.
+
 
+
22) The bottom three '''alignment''' buttons align the selected '''text string''' in a '''Free box horizontally''' within the space enclosed by the '''Free box'''.
+
 
+
23) When the size of the '''Free box''' changes either in a '''horizontal or vertical''' direction, the '''vertical and horizontal''' '''text string alignments''' are maintained.
+
 
+
24) OnePager automatically increases or decreases the number of lines of the '''text string''' within the '''Free box''' to prevent the '''text string''' from overlapping a '''Free box boundary'''.
+
  
 
==Free Box Right-Click Context Menu Options==
 
==Free Box Right-Click Context Menu Options==
  
1) Right-clicking on a displayed '''Free box''' accesses its dropdown menu as shown below:
+
Right-clicking on a displayed '''Free box''' accesses its right-click '''context menu''' as shown below:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(5)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(5)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(5)-10072029.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(5)-10072029.png</center>-->
  
 
===Deleting a Free Box===
 
===Deleting a Free Box===
  
3) To '''Delete''' a '''Free box''', right-click on the selected '''Free box''' and choose '''Delete''' from the '''context menu''' shown below.  
+
To '''Delete''' a '''Free box''', right-click on the selected '''Free box''' and choose '''Delete''' from the '''free box''' right-click '''context menu''' shown below. You have two (2) option to consider to '''Delete''' the '''Comment box''' as shown below:
 
+
4) You have two (2) option to consider to '''Delete''' the '''Comment box''' as shown below:
+
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(6)-100742019.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(6)-100742019.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(6)-100742019.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(6)-100742019.png</center>-->
  
5) The '''From this snapshot''' sub-command causes the selected '''Free box''' to be '''deleted''' from the '''current snapshot only'''. 
+
====From This Snapshot====
  
:a) The same '''Free box''' appearing in other snapshots are not '''deleted''' and remain available when the snapshot is displayed in the '''Chart Editor'''.
+
The '''From this snapshot''' sub-command causes the selected '''Free box''' to be '''deleted''' from the '''current snapshot only'''.  The same '''Free box''' appearing in other snapshots are not '''deleted''' and remain available when the snapshot is displayed in the '''Chart Editor'''. These remaining '''Free boxes''' can be individually '''edited''' and all '''edits''' are '''applied''' to the identical '''Free box''' appearing in other snapshots. A '''Free box''' once '''deleted''' from one or more snapshots can be '''restored to appear in all snapshots''' by '''selecting''' the '''Free box''' in a snapshot in which it appears, accessing the '''Free box's''' context menu and clicking the '''Put in all snapshots''' command. 
  
:b) These remaining '''Free boxes''' can be individually '''edited''' and all '''edits''' are '''applied''' to the identical '''Free box''' appearing in other snapshots.
+
====From All Snapshots====
  
:d) A '''Free box''' once '''deleted''' from one or more snapshots can be '''restored to appear in all snapshots''' by '''selecting''' the '''Free box''' in a snapshot in which it appears, accessing the '''Free box's''' context menu and clicking the '''Put in all snapshots''' command. 
+
The '''From all snapshots''' sub-command causes the selected '''Free box''' to be '''deleted''' from '''all snapshots''' associated with the chart. When a '''Free box''' is '''deleted''' from '''all snapshots''' it can no longer be accessed in any snapshot. Generally, it is more common to '''delete''' a '''Comment box''' from '''all snapshots''', unless you want it to reappear in a different '''snapshot''' later on.
 
+
6) The '''From all snapshots''' sub-command causes the selected '''Free box''' to be '''deleted''' from '''all snapshots''' associated with the chart.
+
 
+
7) When a '''Free box''' is '''deleted''' from '''all snapshots''' it can no longer be accessed in any snapshot.
+
 
+
8) Generally, it is more common to '''delete''' a '''Comment box''' from '''all snapshots''', unless you want it to reappear in a different '''snapshot''' later on.
+
  
 
===Ordering Free Boxes===
 
===Ordering Free Boxes===
  
9) '''Free boxes''', when created, are automatically displayed '''in front of all other graphics''' as shown here:
+
'''Free boxes''', when created, are automatically displayed '''in front of all other graphics''' as shown here:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(7)-100742019.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(7)-100742019.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(7)-100742019.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(7)-100742019.png</center>-->
  
 
====Send to Back Example====
 
====Send to Back Example====
  
10) If you want to avoid covering up tasks/milestones or '''text labels''', for example, you can use the '''Order''' command to adjust the display of '''Free boxes''' on the '''Z-Axis''' as described below:
+
If you want to avoid covering up task bar/milestone symbol or '''text labels''', for example, you can use the '''Order''' command in the '''free box''' right-click '''context menu''' to adjust the display of '''Free boxes''' on the '''Z-Axis''' as described below:
  
:a) Right-click on the selected '''Free box''' and then click on the '''Order''' command as shown in the illustration above.
+
1) Right-click on the selected '''Free box''' and then click on the '''Order''' command as shown in the illustration above.
  
:b) Mouse over the '''Order''' command to access the four sub-commands as shown above.   
+
2) Mouse over the '''Order''' command to access the four sub-commands as shown above.   
  
11) As shown above, the '''Free box''' appears to be '''hiding''' task shapes.   
+
3) As shown above, the '''Free box''' appears to be '''hiding''' task bars.   
  
12) If you want the task shapes to appear on top of the '''Free box''', click the '''Send to back''' sub-command and the chart looks like this:
+
4) If you want the task bars to appear on top of the '''Free box''', click the '''Send to back''' sub-command and the chart looks like this:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(8)-10072019.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(8)-10072019.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(8)-10072019.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(8)-10072019.png</center>-->
  
13) The '''Free box''' in the illustration above is using its default '''Background color''' to better illustrate the '''Send to back''' sub-command.
+
The '''Free box''' in the illustration above is using its default '''Background color''' to better illustrate the '''Send to back''' sub-command.
  
 
====Bring to Front====
 
====Bring to Front====
  
14)  In a similar way, the '''Bring to Front''' sub-command results in the selected '''Comment box''' to appear over the baseline element in this illustration:
+
In a similar way, the '''Bring to Front''' sub-command results in the selected '''Comment box''' to appear over the baseline element in this illustration:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(7)-100742019.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(7)-100742019.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(7)-100742019.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(7)-100742019.png</center>-->
  
 
====Bring Forward and Send Backward====
 
====Bring Forward and Send Backward====
  
15)  The '''Bring forward''' sub-command is treated as a '''stepping feature''' since the '''Z-Axis''' in the '''Chart Editor''' display on your screen consists of several '''layers''' you can '''step-wise''' bring the '''Free box forward''' one step at a time by successively using the '''Bring forward''' sub-command. You can do this until the display of the selected '''Free box''' is at a desired '''Z-Axis layer'''.
+
The '''Bring forward''' sub-command is treated as a '''stepping feature''' since the '''Z-Axis''' in the '''Chart Editor''' display on your screen consists of several '''layers'''. You can '''step-wise''' bring the '''Free box forward''' one step at a time by successively using the '''Bring forward''' sub-command. You can do this until the display of the selected '''Free box''' is at a desired '''Z-Axis layer'''. Similarly, the '''Send backward''' sub-command is also treated as a '''stepping feature''' like the '''Bring forward''' sub-command discussed above. You can '''step-wise''' send the '''Free box backward''' one step at a time by successively using the '''Send backward''' sub-command. You can do this until the display of the selected '''Free box''' is at a desired '''Z-Axis layer'''.
 
+
16) Similarly, the '''Send backward''' sub-command is also treated as a '''stepping feature''' like the '''Bring forward''' sub-command discussed above whereby you can '''step-wise''' send the '''Free box backward''' one step at a time by successively using the '''Send backward''' sub-command. You can do this until the display of the selected '''Free box''' is at a desired '''Z-Axis layer'''.
+
  
 
===Make a Copy===
 
===Make a Copy===
  
17) You can create more than one '''Free box''' from an already '''created Free box''' by using the '''Make a copy''' command in the '''Free box''' right-click '''context menu'''.  
+
You can create more than one '''Free box''' from an already '''created Free box''' by using the '''free box''' right-click '''context menu''' '''Make a copy''' command. To accomplish this, use the '''Make a copy''' command accessed by '''selecting''' the '''existing Free box''', right-clicking to access the '''free box''' right-click '''context menu, and then click the '''Make a copy''' command. These actions access the '''Shape properties''' form where you can specify the new '''Free box’s'''  '''text label''' and other properties as simply illustrated here:
 
+
18) To accomplish this, use the '''Make a copy''' command accessed by '''selecting''' the '''existing Free box''' and then click the '''Make a copy''' command.
+
 
+
19) These actions access the '''Shape properties''' form where you can specify the new '''Free box’s'''  '''text label''' and other properties as simply illustrated here:
+
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(12)-10072019.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(12)-10072019.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(12)-10072019.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(12)-10072019.png</center>-->
  
20) This '''copied Free box''' possesses all the attributes of any '''Free box created in the chart'''.
+
This '''copied Free box''' possesses all the attributes of any '''Free box created in the chart'''. From this '''Free box''' even '''additional Free boxes''' can be '''copied'''. '''Copied Free boxes''' can be '''edited''',  '''moved''', '''resized''', '''replicated in all snapshots''', and '''deleted''' as any other '''Free box''' in the chart.
 
+
21) From this '''Free box''' even '''additional Free boxes''' can be '''copied'''.
+
 
+
22) '''Copied Free boxes''' can be '''edited''',  '''moved''', '''resized''', '''replicated in all snapshots''', and '''deleted''' as any other '''Free box''' in the chart.
+
  
 
===Properties ... Command===
 
===Properties ... Command===
  
23) Considering again the '''context menu''' accessed when a '''Free box''' is right clicked, the '''Properties ...''' command accesses the '''Shape Properties''' form as shown below:
+
Considering again the '''free box''' right-click '''context menu''' accessed when a '''Free box''' is right clicked, the '''Properties ...''' command accesses the '''Shape Properties''' form as shown below:
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(1A-1)-10072029.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(1A-1)-10072029.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(1A-1)-10072029.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(1A-1)-10072029.png</center>-->
  
24) After accessing the '''Shape Properties''' form, you can '''edit''' all the available '''properties''' for the '''selected Free box''' as described in this article.
+
After accessing the '''Shape Properties''' form, you can '''edit''' all the available '''properties''' for the '''selected Free box''' as described in this article. Clicking the '''OK''' button at the bottom right of the form '''applies''' your '''edits''' to the '''selected Free box''' in the current snapshot and in any other snapshot that the '''selected Comment box''' appears.
 
+
25) Clicking the '''OK''' button at the bottom right of the form '''applies''' your '''edits''' to the '''selected Free box''' in the current snapshot and in any other snapshot that the '''selected Comment box''' appears.
+
  
 
===Putting Selected Free Boxes in All Snapshots===
 
===Putting Selected Free Boxes in All Snapshots===
  
26) Use the '''Put in all snapshots context menu''' command shown below to assure that the '''selected Free box''' appears in '''all currently available and future''' snapshots in the chart.
+
Use the '''Put in all snapshots context menu''' command shown below to assure that the '''selected Free box''' appears in '''all currently available and future''' snapshots in the chart.
  
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(13)-100742019.png]]</center>
 
<center>[[File:P70-14_0_1-70-(13)-100742019.png]]</center>
<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(13)-100742019.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-14_0_1-70-(13)-100742019.png</center>-->
  
27) As discussed above, once a '''Freet box''' is proliferated to other snapshots it can be '''edited''',  '''moved''', '''resized''', '''replicated in all snapshots''', and '''deleted''' as any other '''Free box''' in the chart.
+
As discussed above, once a '''Free box''' is proliferated to other snapshots it can be '''edited''',  '''moved''', '''resized''', '''replicated in all snapshots''', and '''deleted''' as any other '''Free box''' in the chart. The '''default setting''' for '''created Free boxes''' is to put the '''Free box''' in '''all snapshots'''.  Sometimes a '''Free box''' is only appropriate for a '''selected snapshot''' and should not appear in '''all snapshots'''.  If this is the desired result, it is necessary to selectively '''delete''' the '''Free box''' from any snapshot that you do not want the '''Free box''' to appear. Should you subsequently decide that this '''Free box''' should be included in '''all snapshots''', right-click on the '''Free box''' and click the '''Put at all snapshots''' command in the '''context menu''' as previously demonstrated above.
  
28) The default setting for '''created Free boxes''' is to put the '''Free box''' in '''all snapshots'''. 
+
==Related Links==
  
:a) Sometimes a '''Free box''' is only appropriate for a '''selected snapshot''' and should not appear in '''all snapshots'''.
+
[[Changing Individual Task/Milestone Properties (Color, Shape, Labels, etc.) for Version 7.0 | Changing Individual Task/Milestone Properties (Color, Shapes, Labels, etc.)]] <!--9.2.1-70-->
  
:b) If this is the desired result, it is necessary to selectively '''delete''' the '''Free box''' from any snapshot that you do not want the '''Free box''' to appear.
+
[[Creating and Managing Comment Boxes for Version 7.0 | Creating and Managing Comment Boxes]] <!--13.0.1-70-->
 
+
29) Should you subsequently decide that this '''Free box''' should be included in '''all snapshots''', right-click on the '''Free box''' and click the '''Put at all snapshots''' command in the '''context menu''' as previously demonstrated above.
+
 
+
==Changing the Properties of a Free Box==
+
 
+
1) To change all other properties of the '''free box''', click the '''Properties …''' button in the '''context menu''' which brings up the '''Shape properties''' form shown here:
+
 
+
<center>[[File:P52-14_-(9)-06042015.png]]</center>
+
 
+
2) On this form, you can type as much text as you want and place the text on as many lines as you want.  
+
 
+
3) You can change the '''free box’s font properties''', its '''text alignment''', its '''dimensions''', its '''fill color''' and its '''line color''' as shown below:
+
 
+
<center>[[File:P52-14_-(10)-06042015.png]]</center>
+
 
+
4) The '''No Fill''' option on the '''Free Box’s background color''' is also available.  To access this feature bring up the '''Shape Properties''' form and do the following:
+
 
+
:a) Go to the '''Fill color''' control and click the dropdown button to reveal the '''Color Chooser''' form as shown below:
+
 
+
<center>[[File:P52-14_-(11)-06042015.png]]</center>
+
 
+
:b) Check the '''No Fill''' checkbox which causes the '''Color Chooser''' form to close.
+
 
+
:c) Then, click '''OK''' and the selected Free Box looks like this:
+
 
+
<center>[[File:P52-14_-(12)-06042015.png]]</center>
+
 
+
==Notes==
+
 
+
1) You can eliminate the '''border''' for a '''free box''' by checking the '''No Fill''' checkbox in the '''Color Chooser''' dropdown menu selected from the '''Line Color''' window in the '''Shape Properties''' form shown above. 
+
 
+
2) When this is done, the '''free box''' looks like this:
+
 
+
<center>[[File:P52-14_-(13)-06042015.png]]</center>
+
 
+
3)  Unchecking the '''No Fill''' checkbox is a three step process described above in this article: [[Changing Individual Task/Milestone Properties (Color, Shape, Labels, etc.) for Version 7.0 | Changing Individual Task/Milestone Properties (Color, Shapes, Labels, etc.)]] 9.2.1-70
+
 
+
==Related Links==
+
  
[[Creating and Managing Comment Boxes for Version 7.0 | Creating and Managing Comment Boxes]] 13.0.1-70
+
[[Editing with the Chart Properties form for Version 7.0 (Portal) | Editing with the Chart Properties form (Portal)]] <!--21.0.1-70-->
  
[[The Chart Legend for Version 7.0 (Portal) | The Chart Legend (Portal)]] 15.0.1-70
+
[[Comment Boxes Tab for Version 7.0 | Comment Boxes]] <!--21.11.1-70-->
  
[[Changing Individual Task/Milestone Properties (Color, Shapes, etc.) for Version 7.0 | Changing Individual Task/Milestone Properties (Color, Shapes, etc.)]] 9.2.1-70
+
[[Managing Templates for Version 7.0 (Portal) | Managing Templates (Portal)]] <!--24.0.1-70-->
  
 
(14.0.1-70)
 
(14.0.1-70)

Latest revision as of 15:22, 14 January 2021

About Creating and Managing Free Boxes

Free boxes are similar to Comment boxes, except that they are not attached to or associated with a task bar or milestone symbol. Free boxes are similar to text boxes in Microsoft PowerPoint. Unlike Comment boxes, Free boxes can only be created in the chart by using the OnePager Insert ribbon tool bar tab and the Free Box button along with manipulation of your mouse and left-click button.

Default Free Box Settings

Also, unlike Comment boxes the Free box's setting options are limited and preset within OnePager Pro and Express. That is, there are no Template Properties or Chart Properties form tabs devoted to Free boxes. The Shape Properties form shown below represents the default properties of any Free box created using the OnePager Pro or Express Insert ribbon tool bar tab's Free Box button on the ribbon:

P70-14 0 1-70-(1A-1)-10072029.png

As shown in the above Shape Properties form, the editing options are limited to text string, typical text string editing tools, Free box width and height value setting, color choices for the Free box's background and border line, and Transparency checkbox. The Maintain aspect ratio checkbox is discussed below.

Editing Free Box Global Setting in the Chart

As mentioned above, OnePager does not provide any global editing controls for Free boxes. Rather, the initial settings for Free box parameters are preset in the Shape Properties form for both OnePager Pro and Express. After creating a Free box you can edit these initial Free box properties as needed. To reduce workload when you expect to have several Free boxes in your chart and snapshots, OnePager provides a Make a copy command whereby you can copy a Free box with the desired configuration, move it to a different position in the chart, and edit its text string or other properties as needed.

Creating a Free Box Using the Insert Tab on the OnePager Ribbon

Creating a Free Box Using the Free Box Button

To create a Free box in the chart, go to the OnePager Insert ribbon tool bar tab and click the Free Box button as shown below:

P70-14 0 1-70-(1)-10072029.png

Mouse Cursor Actions For Creating a Free Box

Next, move the mouse cursor to the location on the graph where you want to place the Free box's initial corner, click once, hold down the left-click button, and drag the mouse to place the Free box's other corner in the document area:

P70-14 0 1-70-(2)-10072029.png

You can create a Free box in any direction from the initial corner and by dragging the mouse in the document area you can adjust the size of the Free box.

P70-14 0 1-70-(3)-10072029.png

When you release the left-click mouse button the Free box looks something like this:

P70-14 0 1-70-(4)-10072029.png

The Free box created in the illustration above is configured with the starting properties of Free boxes as defined in the Shape Properties form.

Changing the Properties of a Free Box

Once a Free box is created its properties can be edited using the Shape Properties form accessed by right-clicking the Free box to access the Free box right-click context menu and selecting the Properties ... command as shown below:

P70-14 0 1-70-(4A)-09142020.png

Shape Properties Form

The Shape properties form shown here:

P70-14 0 1-70-(9)-10082029.png

Text Strings

On this form, the window at the top is used for inserting or editing the text string that occupies the inside of the Free box. The text string can be of any length and consist of several individual lines. OnePager configures long text strings into multiple lines to fit within the defined Free box and adjusts the font size to retain the fit. Resizing the Free box alters the appearance of the text string in the Free box to maintain the minimum number of text string lines by further adjusting the font size. Throughout all text string editing, OnePager maintains the selected text string alignments in the Free box in the horizontal and vertical directions. You can insert multiple lines in the text string window by placing your own carriage returns in the text string as shown here:

P70-14 0 1-70-(10)-10082029.png

You can edit the Free box’s Font properties, its text alignments, its dimensions, its fill color and its line color through the use of the standard controls shown in the Shape Properties form above.

Editing Free Box Text Fonts

There are six (6) controls in the Font properties form shown below accessed from the Shape Properties form which are standard in most applications involving text editing:

P70-14 0 1-70-(10A)-10082029.png

These controls include:

  • The Font Style, implemented as a dropdown list, includes the font styles installed on your computer.
  • Clicking the Text Color button accesses the standard Color Chooser form.
  • The Font Size control is a dropdown list of possible sizes from 1 to 48. You can also click in this window and type in a desired font size integer value.
  • The Bold button is a toggle that sets the selected text string as Bold text.
  • The Italics button, also a toggle, sets the selected text string as Italic text.
  • The Underline button operates as a toggle that setts the selected text string as Underline.

Editing Free Box Text Alignments

There are two (2) sets of three (3) alignment buttons each in the Shape Properties shown above positioning text strings in the Free box. The top three (3) alignment buttons align the selected text string in a Free box horizontally within the space enclosed by the Free box. The bottom three (3) alignment buttons align the selected text string in a Free box vertically within the space enclosed by the Free box. When the size of the Free box changes either in a horizontal or vertical direction, the horizontal and vertical text string alignments are maintained. OnePager automatically increases or decreases the number of lines of the text string within the Free box to prevent the text string from overlapping a Free box boundary.

Editing Free Box Width and Height

You can manually set the width and height of an established Free box by changing the values in the Width and Height dial windows of the Shape Properties form. The units used for the Width and the Height values are in either inches or centimeters depending on the Template form used to create the chart.

Maintain Aspect Ratio Checkbox

When the Maintain aspect ratio checkbox is checked ON the two dial windows for Width and Height change together to maintain the same aspect ration for the selected Free box as when it was first created. Editing the Width and Height controls does not automatically change the Font size of the text string in the Free box to maintain correspondence with the change in Free box dimensions. With the Maintain aspect ratio checkbox checked OFF, the two dial windows for Width and Height can be edited independently of one another. Independent operation of the Width and Height dial window controls offers more control over the dimensions of a Free box in the chart.

Transparency

The Transparency checkbox in the Shape Properties form for the Free box as the Transparency checkbox has for the same function in the Create or edit comment box form for the Comment box.

For more information on the Transparency checkbox in the Comment box, please see the section in the article at: Creating and Managing Comment Boxes-Transparency Controls

Fill Color and Line Color Options

You can edit the Fill color in the Free box as well as Line color or Border color on the Free box to accent its appearance. There are also No fill options on the Free Box’s Fill color and Line color by using the OnePager standard Color Chooser form accessed through the dropdown buttons on these two controls. To use this feature access the Shape Properties form and do the following:

1) Go to the Fill color control and click the dropdown button to access the standard Color Chooser form as shown below:

P70-14 0 1-70-(11)-10082029.png

2) Check the No fill checkbox ON which causes the standard Color Chooser form to close.

3) Then, click OK and the selected Free box looks like this:

P70-14 0 1-70-(11A)-10082029.png

Editing Free Boxes

Once a Free box is created in the document area, you can move it around, resize it, edit its properties, or delete it just as you do for a Comment box.

Moving Free Boxes

Free boxes' can be easily moved to different positions in the document area by first selecting the Free box with a left-click. Then, with the mouse cursor left-click button held down drag the Free box to the desired position as shown below:

P70-14 0 1-70-(14)-10072029.png

Note that the mouse cursor is changed to the four-pointed arrow when the mouse is left-clicked inside the selected Free box shown above. Release the left-click mouse button and the Free box is re-positioned as shown below:

P70-14 0 1-70-(15)-10072029.png

Resizing a Free Box

To resize a Free box, left-click to select it and position the mouse cursor on one of the eight (8) grab boxes or grab circles shown below:

P70-14 0 1-70-(16)-10072029.png

When you do this, the mouse cursor changes shape to a Plus sign as shown below:

P70-14 0 1-70-(17)-10072029.png

Drag the mouse cursor so that the Free box is resized to the desired dimensions in the direction of the grab box you are using as shown below:

P70-14 0 1-70-(18)-10072029.png

When the desired dimensions are achieved, release the mouse button and the Free box is resized as shown below:

P70-14 0 1-70-(19)-10072029.png

Using the Free Box's Right-Click Context Menu

To use these functions, select the box with the mouse and right-click to access the free box right-click context menu shown below:

P70-14 0 1-70-(5)-10072029.png

The free box right-click context menu has the same five (5) commands as the Comment box right-click context menu and these commands along with the sub-commands on the Delete and Order sub-commands function in the same way for both types of boxes.

This similarity in commands, sub-commands, and function being the case, please use the Comment box editing instructions in the article at: Creating and Managing Comment Boxes

For more specific information on the use of the Delete and Order commands shown in the free box right-click context menu above, please use the links below:

Deleting a Free Box
Ordering Free Boxes

Discussions for the three (3) remaining commands in the free box right-click content menu are covered below at these links:

Make a Copy
Properties ... Command
Putting Free Boxes in All Snapshots

Using the OnePager Home Ribbon Tool Bar Tab's Font, Format, and Alignment Control Groups for Editing Free Boxes

As an alternative, you can use several of the controls on the Home tab shown below to change the properties of text within Free boxes.

P70-13 0 1-70-(5-1)-09142020.png

Editing Free Box Text Fonts

There are eight (8) controls in the Font control group shown above which are standard in most applications involving text editing.

These controls include:

  • The Font Style, implemented on the ribbon as a dropdown list, includes the font styles installed on your computer.
  • The Font Size control is a dropdown list of possible sizes from 1 to 48. You can also click in this window and type in a desired font size integer value.
  • The Bold button is a toggle that sets the selected text string as Bold text.
  • The Italics button, also a toggle, sets the selected text string as Italic text.
  • The Underline button operates as a toggle that setts the selected text string as Underline.
  • The Increase font size button steps the selected text string's font size up one with every click.
  • The Decrease font size button steps the selected text string's font size down one with every click.

Clicking the Text Color button accesses the standard Color Chooser form.

Editing Free Box Text Formats

In the Format control group shown above only the Text Color button (shown as a paint bucket) is enabled when a Free box is selected. The Format... button shown above as a color palette icon is disabled as Free boxes are not supported by the Change Task/Milestone Properties form.

Editing Free Box Text Alignments

There are two (2) sets of three alignment buttons in the Alignment control group shown above related to the text strings in Free boxes. The top three (3) alignment buttons align the selected text string in a Free box vertically within the space enclosed by the Free box. The bottom three (3) alignment buttons align the selected text string in a Free box horizontally within the space enclosed by the Free box. When the size of the Free box changes either in a horizontal or vertical direction, the vertical and horizontal text string alignments are maintained. OnePager automatically increases or decreases the number of lines of the text string within the Free box to prevent the text string from overlapping a Free box boundary.

Free Box Right-Click Context Menu Options

Right-clicking on a displayed Free box accesses its right-click context menu as shown below:

P70-14 0 1-70-(5)-10072029.png

Deleting a Free Box

To Delete a Free box, right-click on the selected Free box and choose Delete from the free box right-click context menu shown below. You have two (2) option to consider to Delete the Comment box as shown below:

P70-14 0 1-70-(6)-100742019.png

From This Snapshot

The From this snapshot sub-command causes the selected Free box to be deleted from the current snapshot only. The same Free box appearing in other snapshots are not deleted and remain available when the snapshot is displayed in the Chart Editor. These remaining Free boxes can be individually edited and all edits are applied to the identical Free box appearing in other snapshots. A Free box once deleted from one or more snapshots can be restored to appear in all snapshots by selecting the Free box in a snapshot in which it appears, accessing the Free box's context menu and clicking the Put in all snapshots command.

From All Snapshots

The From all snapshots sub-command causes the selected Free box to be deleted from all snapshots associated with the chart. When a Free box is deleted from all snapshots it can no longer be accessed in any snapshot. Generally, it is more common to delete a Comment box from all snapshots, unless you want it to reappear in a different snapshot later on.

Ordering Free Boxes

Free boxes, when created, are automatically displayed in front of all other graphics as shown here:

P70-14 0 1-70-(7)-100742019.png

Send to Back Example

If you want to avoid covering up task bar/milestone symbol or text labels, for example, you can use the Order command in the free box right-click context menu to adjust the display of Free boxes on the Z-Axis as described below:

1) Right-click on the selected Free box and then click on the Order command as shown in the illustration above.

2) Mouse over the Order command to access the four sub-commands as shown above.

3) As shown above, the Free box appears to be hiding task bars.

4) If you want the task bars to appear on top of the Free box, click the Send to back sub-command and the chart looks like this:

P70-14 0 1-70-(8)-10072019.png

The Free box in the illustration above is using its default Background color to better illustrate the Send to back sub-command.

Bring to Front

In a similar way, the Bring to Front sub-command results in the selected Comment box to appear over the baseline element in this illustration:

P70-14 0 1-70-(7)-100742019.png

Bring Forward and Send Backward

The Bring forward sub-command is treated as a stepping feature since the Z-Axis in the Chart Editor display on your screen consists of several layers. You can step-wise bring the Free box forward one step at a time by successively using the Bring forward sub-command. You can do this until the display of the selected Free box is at a desired Z-Axis layer. Similarly, the Send backward sub-command is also treated as a stepping feature like the Bring forward sub-command discussed above. You can step-wise send the Free box backward one step at a time by successively using the Send backward sub-command. You can do this until the display of the selected Free box is at a desired Z-Axis layer.

Make a Copy

You can create more than one Free box from an already created Free box by using the free box right-click context menu Make a copy command. To accomplish this, use the Make a copy command accessed by selecting the existing Free box, right-clicking to access the free box right-click context menu, and then click the Make a copy command. These actions access the Shape properties form where you can specify the new Free box’s text label and other properties as simply illustrated here:

P70-14 0 1-70-(12)-10072019.png

This copied Free box possesses all the attributes of any Free box created in the chart. From this Free box even additional Free boxes can be copied. Copied Free boxes can be edited, moved, resized, replicated in all snapshots, and deleted as any other Free box in the chart.

Properties ... Command

Considering again the free box right-click context menu accessed when a Free box is right clicked, the Properties ... command accesses the Shape Properties form as shown below:

P70-14 0 1-70-(1A-1)-10072029.png

After accessing the Shape Properties form, you can edit all the available properties for the selected Free box as described in this article. Clicking the OK button at the bottom right of the form applies your edits to the selected Free box in the current snapshot and in any other snapshot that the selected Comment box appears.

Putting Selected Free Boxes in All Snapshots

Use the Put in all snapshots context menu command shown below to assure that the selected Free box appears in all currently available and future snapshots in the chart.

P70-14 0 1-70-(13)-100742019.png

As discussed above, once a Free box is proliferated to other snapshots it can be edited, moved, resized, replicated in all snapshots, and deleted as any other Free box in the chart. The default setting for created Free boxes is to put the Free box in all snapshots. Sometimes a Free box is only appropriate for a selected snapshot and should not appear in all snapshots. If this is the desired result, it is necessary to selectively delete the Free box from any snapshot that you do not want the Free box to appear. Should you subsequently decide that this Free box should be included in all snapshots, right-click on the Free box and click the Put at all snapshots command in the context menu as previously demonstrated above.

Related Links

Changing Individual Task/Milestone Properties (Color, Shapes, Labels, etc.)

Creating and Managing Comment Boxes

Editing with the Chart Properties form (Portal)

Comment Boxes

Managing Templates (Portal)

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