Thick Borders

This article refers to version 2008.  Click for Version 2006
 
 
Make your schedules really stand out at your next project briefing
  
Do you want your schedules to stand out at project briefings?  Read on!

The Milestones Simplicity schedule below has a thick border effect which makes for a crisp and colorful presentation.  This article describes how to do this.

Click here to download a Milestones Simplicity example (works in both Milestones Simplicity and Milestones Professional) or see the instructions below the example to learn how to add this effect to one of your schedules.
  
First, you need to know that the thick border is really not a border.  The thick "border" on the left and right sides of the schedule are actually thin columns which have the column heading color and column colors set to the same color.

The thick "border" below the schedule is actually an empty legend which has a height matching the width of the two columns.

Tricky?  Yes, maybe a little.  Here's how it's done:

To set up your "borders":

1

   

Choose the Layout tab.

2

In the page Size section choose the Full Page Layout Dialog:

3   Choose the Columns and Rows tab.

4

Under Left Text Column Widths, set your left most column width to 0.2.

5

Under Right Text Column Widths, set your left most column width to 0.2.

6

Now, choose the Legend tab.

7

Set the Legend Height to 0.2

8

Click OK.
  

To color your left and right "borders":

1

Using the arrow tool, double-click the headings for one of the new columns. The Column Properties box appears.

2

On the Column Heading tab, under the Heading Colors set Color: to the color you want for your border.

3

On the Column Formatting tab, under the Column Background Color and Special Effects set Back Color: to the same color.

4

Repeat for the other column.
   

To color your bottom "border":

1

Click on the legend the toolbar will change to Current Object: Legend select Switch to Full Legend.

2

In the Background section change the Background Color: to the color you used for the left and right columns.

3

In the Legend Size and Frame Settings section make sure that the Leave a Gap between Chart and Legend is not checked on.
That's all there is to it!  Click here to download an example.