How to: Create a Shape

• Sep 19, 2023
• 3 minutes to read

This topic describes how to create a shape and change its form, size, and rotation angle.

Create a Shape

The example below shows how to use the ShapeCollection.AddShape method overloads to insert shapes into a worksheet.

C#

// Set the measurement unit to Inches.
workbook.Unit = DevExpress.Office.DocumentUnit.Inch;

// Insert a shape at the specified position in a worksheet.
Shape shape1 = worksheet.Shapes.AddShape(ShapeGeometryPreset.RectangularCallout, 0.68f, 0.22f, 2f, 1.25f);

// Insert a shape so that its top left corner is in the specified cell.
Shape shape2 = worksheet.Shapes.AddShape(ShapeGeometryPreset.RoundedRectangularCallout, worksheet.Cells["F2"], 2f, 1.25f);

// Insert a shape that fits into the specified cell range.
Shape shape3 = worksheet.Shapes.AddShape(ShapeGeometryPreset.OvalCallout, worksheet["J2:L7"]);

VB.NET

' Set the measurement unit to Inches.
workbook.Unit = DevExpress.Office.DocumentUnit.Inch

' Insert a shape at the specified position in a worksheet.
Dim shape1 As Shape = worksheet.Shapes.AddShape(ShapeGeometryPreset.RectangularCallout, 0.68F, 0.22F, 2F, 1.25F)

' Insert a shape so that its top left corner is in the specified cell.
Dim shape2 As Shape = worksheet.Shapes.AddShape(ShapeGeometryPreset.RoundedRectangularCallout, worksheet.Cells("F2"), 2F, 1.25F)

' Insert a shape that fits into the specified cell range.
Dim shape3 As Shape = worksheet.Shapes.AddShape(ShapeGeometryPreset.OvalCallout, worksheet("J2:L7"))

Change a Shape’s Location

Use the following API to define a shape’s location in a worksheet:

Member	Description
FloatingObject.Move	Moves the shape by the specified offsets.
FloatingObject.Top	Specifies the distance between the top edge of the worksheet and the shape’s top left corner.
FloatingObject.Left	Specifies the distance between the left edge of the worksheet and the shape’s top left corner.
FloatingObject.TopLeftCell	Specifies the cell where the shape’s top left corner is located.
FloatingObject.BottomRightCell	Specifies the cell where the shape’s bottom right corner is located.
FloatingObject.OffsetX	Specifies the distance between the shape’s top left corner and the left edge of the TopLeftCell cell.
FloatingObject.OffsetY	Specifies the distance between the shape’s top left corner and the top edge of the TopLeftCell cell.

C#

shape2.TopLeftCell = worksheet.Cells["F4"];
shape2.BottomRightCell = worksheet.Cells["H9"];

VB.NET

shape2.TopLeftCell = worksheet.Cells("F4")
shape2.BottomRightCell = worksheet.Cells("H9")

Resize and Rotate a Shape

Use the following properties to rotate and resize a shape:

Property	Description
Shape.Rotation	Specifies the shape’s rotation angle.
FloatingObject.Width	Specifies the shape’s width.
FloatingObject.Height	Specifies the shape’s height.

C#

shape3.Rotation = 45;
shape3.Width = 2.2f;
shape3.Height = 1.5f;

VB.NET

shape3.Rotation = 45
shape3.Width = 2.2F
shape3.Height = 1.5F

Change a Shape’s Form

Use the ShapeGeometry.Preset property to change a shape’s geometry type. The example below shows how to transform a rectangular callout into a cloud callout.

C#

shape1.ShapeGeometry.Preset = ShapeGeometryPreset.CloudCallout;

VB.NET

shape1.ShapeGeometry.Preset = ShapeGeometryPreset.CloudCallout