Formatting text elements in reports

Note: When you create a text element, your actions within it will not be saved until you click Add Text:

You will then immediately exit edit mode and will need to click the edit pencil to continue working.

First row of icons:

You can format text in various ways. This article describes what all the formatting icons at the top of the text block do. I've numbered them for convenience:

1. Formatting

Use the first formatting icon for headings and subheadings. There must be two blank lines before and after the subheading. You can remove one of these lines afterward. This applies to the entire paragraph where the cursor is positioned (so no selection is necessary). Note that headings always add a number before the heading, so it's not suitable for making a piece of text longer—use tool 8 for that.

Heading 1 automatically adds a correct chapter number, so if you type "Introduction," for example, the heading will look like this:

1. Introduction

Heading 2 automatically adds a correct subchapter number, so if you type "Explanation," for example, the heading will look like this:

1.1 Explanation

The next heading 2, "More explanation," becomes:

1.2 More explanation

If you then use a Heading 3, it will get a sub-sub number:

1.2.1 Explanation of more explanation

Then another heading 3:

1.2.2 Comments on "More explanation"

Then another heading 2:

1.3 Conclusion of the introduction

And then another heading 1:

2. Objectives

That's how it works. Heading numbering is automatic and cannot be disabled, so if you want unnumbered headings, you can achieve that by adjusting the font size (see item 8).

2. Bold, 3. Italic, 4. Underline, and 5. Strikethrough
These are the standard Bold, Italic, Underline, and Strikethrough functions found in most word processors. They work on selected text. They also each have a standard key combination—you can see it by hovering your mouse over the icon.

6. Subscript

If you want the 2 for CO2 to dangle neatly, you can select it and then click this icon.

7. Superscript

If you want to use a 2 (or another number or symbol) as an exponent (for example, for square or cubic meters: m2 or m3), you can select it and click on it.

8. Font Size

To adjust the font size, select the text and click this icon. You'll then see a dropdown with different sizes to choose from.

9. Text Color

To adjust the font color. Works on selected text.

10. Background Color

Colors the background of the selected text.

11. Alignment

You don't need to select the text for alignment; it will align all text in the paragraph where the cursor is positioned.

12. Decrease Indent and 13. Increase Indent

To indent text relative to other text, use this icon. Again, you don't need to select the text; it applies to the entire paragraph where the cursor is positioned. Each subsequent click shifts the text an extra bit to the right, regardless of the selected alignment. You can use the 12 key to move it back to the left. This button will be grayed out when the text is back on the far left margin.

Second row:

14. Line height

To change the line spacing, click this icon and make a selection. This applies to the entire paragraph where the cursor is currently positioned; no selection is necessary.

15. Ordered list

To create a numbered list:

1. Add a blank line before the first item in the list and after the last item.
2. Enter a return line between each item.
3. Select all items.
4. Click this icon.
5. Remove the last digit by using two return lines.

16. Unordered list

Essentially works the same as 15, but with this icon.

1. A blank line before the first item in the list and after the last item
2. Return between each item
3. Select all items
4. Click this icon
5. Remove the last bullet by using two returns

17. Insert an image

To insert an image, place the cursor where you want the image to appear and then click this icon. A popup with instructions will appear: you can drag an image into the box, or click the box to choose an image from anywhere on your computer. You can also adjust the size and position (by dragging the entire image)—it's self-explanatory.

18. Insert a table

You can insert a table here. The table itself also has various expansion and formatting options that appear when you click on it.

19. Insert a link

To insert a link, you can enter a URL (web address) in the URL field. If you first select some text, that text will be clickable after inserting it and the link will open.

20. Horizontal line

Inserts a grey line.

21. New page

The black page icon is a so-called page break: if you insert it, everything after it will be placed on a new page (in the PDF!). If you click on it, you will see this:
{page_break} < You will NOT see this text in the PDF. In the report, you will see "New page." You will also not see this in the PDF.
You can also insert a new page (for example, between two elements other than text) by creating a new text element, inserting only a new page in it, and then creating your next element. This does not take up any space in the PDF.

This code does not do anything in the report itself; it is purely a code for the PDF.

22. Inserting data

When inserting data, you can add specific data as it exists in the system. The dropdown shows which data this is (this depends on your own configuration in Measurements). {entity_logo} All text between { } is only visible in edit mode. It is not visible in read mode or in the PDF.

If a logo exists for Organization, the above text will be replaced with the actual logo in the report and PDF.

23. Remove Formatting

The remove formatting icon removes all added or modified formatting from the selected text and resets it to the default settings.

24. Undo and 25. Redo

These icons do the same as Ctrl (Apple: cmd)-Z and Shift-Ctrl (-cmd)-Z: they undo the last action. This goes back to the beginning of the session*.

Redo is only available after at least one Undo action: it's essentially undoing the Undo action.

Once the text is added (saved), all the steps are also gone, so it only works within a single session.

(The blue button in the image above can also be "Update Text," if you're working in an existing block.)

26. Full Screen

This icon will place the text element in your entire browser window. This makes it easier to use. Clicking that same icon (which now looks different) will return you to the original view.