Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
applications allow PDF output from Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
By using this feature, you can use existing applications to generate a library of
portfolio pieces in PDF format. The nice thing about this workflow is that it
allows you to stay within your native applications and not have to venture off
into graphic applications to prepare the bulk of your work. If you like, you can
output elements from your Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel documents to
bitmap file formats and then manipulate the graphs, charts, spreadsheets, and
diagrams within Adobe Photoshop or Macromedia fireworks. Getting graphi-
cal elements from your Microsoft office applications is easy. You can do it
several ways. First, you can select any graphical element such as a chart and
right-click to copy it. Then, open up a new document in Macromedia fireworks
or Adobe Photoshop and the document space will automatically be the correct
size to accommodate a copied image. Paste the image into the image-editing
application and now you have the ability to scale, crop, and correct the graphic
if needed. You now have the ability to incorporate freely the graphic into other
Web page layouts using a powerful image-editing environment. As well, you
have the graphic in a new space where you can add a caption and perform visual
layout, something that you can't do in the Microsoft office applications very
effectively. Another method for outputting Microsoft office documents for Web
publishing is to right-click on individual charts and graphs and save them as
bitmap graphics in GIF, JPEG, or BMP formats. BMP formats need to be
opened image-editing program and saved as JPEG or GIF files. BMP (short for
bitmap) file formats are not acceptable for Web publishing. Finally, it is
important to note that Microsoft office applications also allow files to be saved
as HTML Web pages. Be careful if you decide to use this feature. It may cause
technical problems or a lack of continuity with other Web of pages that are
developed using other methods. If you're going to output Web pages from
Microsoft Office applications you should use those pages in pop-up windows
or blank target browser windows that load on top of your existing Web
portfolio and are contained in their own browser window. By separating the
documents you will minimize a lack of consistency if it exists. As well, you will
isolate the documents so that the user can focus on reviewing them without
distractions of other content.
Another alternate route to PDF and Microsoft office Web output is to perform
screen captures of your documents from your desktop and open them in Adobe
Photoshop. After taking the screenshot, you will open a new document Adobe
Photoshop or Macromedia fireworks and paste the screenshot from the
clipboard onto the canvas (this technique is explained in more detail next).
