Figures and graphs can be inserted into your report as image files (JPG/GIF/PNG).
You can create your figure or graph with many applications (e.g. Word/Excel/PowerPoint). Copy the image and paste it into an image editing program (e.g. MS Paint or Paintbrush for Mac) and save it as an image file (JPG/GIF/PNG). Now you can upload that file to your media library.
Why can’t I copy and paste from Word?
Word processor files with images are much larger than web pages and the image is stored in the file with the text or a reference to where the image is on your computer. Web pages do not store the images in the same file as the text. They are stored and delivered separately and the browser assembles the page and displays it to the viewer. Therefore, you must upload each image separately.
Inserting figures and graphs into your report
Figures, graphs and photographs are all images. To add an image to your report, click on the “Add Media” button. Not all report text fields support images. If there is an “Add Media” button at the top left of the text field, then you can add images to that text field.
When you click on the “Add Media” button, you are shown a page with two tabs across the top “Upload Files” and “Media Library”. Images you have uploaded previously are in your “Media Library”. If you haven’t uploaded the file, you will need to use the “Upload Files” tab.
To upload an image, click on the “Upload Files” tab, then click the “Select Files” button, select the file from your computer and then “Insert into Post”. After the file has uploaded, there are a few fields you will want to complete.
Title – is used when searching for images in the media library. The filename is used, but it is good to change it to be a more descriptive title. It is also used on the image’s attachment page.
Caption – will be displayed below your image. Leave blank if you do not want a caption below your image.
Alt Text – will be used by browsers for the blind and for search engines. Enter a description of the image so the visually impaired will know what the image is conveying.
Description – used when searching for images in the media library. It is also used on the image’s attachment page.
Attachment Display Settings:
Alignment – has 4 options:
- None – the image will appear “in-line” based on where your cursor was when you clicked the “Add Media” button. One line of text will be on the same row as the image.
- Left – the image will be positioned to the left edge of the text area and the text will wrap around it to the right.
- Right – the image will be positioned to the right edge of the text area and the text will wrap around it to the left.
- Center – the image will appear in centered in the text area and no text will appear on either side of the image.
Link to – has 4 options:
- None – the image is not linked.
- Media file – the image is linked to the full size image. This is useful for thumbnail images or if you want the user to get large image, but the page only shows a smaller version.
- Attachment page – a page with the image and the title and description. Please do not use this option.
- Custom URL – the image is linked to another web page. Please do not use this option.
Size – depending on the size of the image, there may be several choices. It is best to use thumbnail, medium or large. If you upload an image from your camera or a very large image (> 1000 pixels wide), do not use the full size images. Instead, insert a smaller version and link it to the Media file.
After you make your selections, click the “Insert into post” button.
Once the image is in your report, you can drag it around. You can resize it, but it is best to choose the appropriate size when uploading and inserting it.
You can change any of the choices you made by clicking on the image and selecting one of the buttons shown.
