ATOI365D #Office365Challenge In today’s post we’ll start adding images to our Sway and try the different grouping types for effect.

Day: 302 of 365, 63 left
Tools: Office 365, Sway
Description: Working with Images in your Microsoft Sway
Audience: All

In yesterday’s post we covered the basics around the menus we’ll be using etc. I must admit – after reading up a bit about the sharing options – I realised that I would not be able to share my final product for you, if I’m signed into Sway with my Office 365 account. So before starting, I’ve switched over and signed into Sway with my Windows Live ID. If you don’t have one – below are the details on creating one. I was pleasantly surprised though – when signing in with the other account, I could still see my Sways created with the Office 365 account. Thanks Microsoft 🙂

Note:  You can share your Office 365 Sway externally if this has been enabled in the Admin Centre. See post here.

Sign up for a Microsoft account

 Go to the Microsoft account sign-up page and tap or click Create account.
  1. In the User name box enter your existing email address, or tap or click Get a new email address to create an Outlook or Hotmail address.
  2. Fill out the rest of the form, and then tap or click Create account.

Let the fun and games begin…. 🙂

For this project I’ve decided to create a Sway showing 2016 in Review. I’ve spent a couple of hours gathering photos, copying links and making notes of what I’d like to share with my friends and colleagues. And believe me….. that was the hardest part. Once you get used to how Sway works, you’ll be sorted. I have to admit though (and yes, Change Management is what I do) – it took me 2 years to start using Sway – Launched October 2014. Why? Cause I’m human. I don’t like change and I’d rather use something that takes longer – because I know it. True Story. I LOVE PowerPoint and I’m rather good at it – so I was kinda rebellious towards using Sway. But here we are – and I’m gonna learn to use it and love it as much as PowerPoint. And I hope you’ll join me on my journey.

Insert Headings and Text:

The Title card will automatically be inserted, change the title and background image. I find it easier to drag images onto the card than inserting them. You can now also add more Headings / Text:

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Insert Images from other sources:

Once you’ve added a title and some headings and text, you will be able to search for images which are relevant to your Sway by going to the Insert Tab:

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You can also change the filter options for your images, by clicking on the Suggested Dropdown:
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Adding your own images:

Adding an Image card is very easy, once you’ve clicked to add it to your canvas, you can drag an image onto it. In Preview or Play mode, the standard Image card will display the Image full size with some minor changes you can set on the card:

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Using Groupings for your Images – Automatic:

I prefer using the Group type cards. These allow me to animate and do a bit more than just the normal Image Card. Below you’ll see that I’ve clicked the “Automatic” Group Card. I then dragged a couple of images onto this section. In Preview or Play mode, it animates the entrance of the images and groups them once done:

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Using Groupings for your Images – Stack:

Here I’ve used the Stack option. Again I dragged a couple of images onto the card. In Preview or Play mode, it will display the images stacked on top of each other. When clicked on it will slide away and show the next image:

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Using Groupings for your Images – Comparison:

The Comparison type is pretty awesome if you have images to compare. Before and After’s – that type of thing. In the example below I added this card, then dragged two images onto the card. One of the beach without writing in the sand – one with. In preview mode you’ll have the ability to pull the slider in the middle from side to side to see the before and after photo:

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Using Groupings for your Images – Slideshow:

In Preview or Play mode, the Slideshow card will display the images full screen, allowing you to click to scroll to the next one:

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Take note that on all cards you can modify settings – here I’ve clicked on Group Type to change the way the Slideshow displays:

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Using Groupings for your Images – Grid:

In Preview or Play mode, the Grid will display images in a Grid format. Once added you can change it back to Automatic or Stack by clicking on the Group Type on the card:

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Keep in mind that you can click on Remix or Design and Layout to transform your Sway. This will impact how the different groups react when displayed. I suggest you mess around with the different options – as that’s the only way to learn.

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Tomorrow we’ll look at the different types of media we can insert – Videos / Tweets and Embedding Code.

Resources:

Overview of my challenge: As an absolute lover of all things Microsoft, I’ve decided to undertake the challenge, of writing a blog every single day, for the next 365 days. Crazy, I know. And I’ll try my best, but if I cannot find something good to say about Office 365 and the Tools it includes for 365 days, I’m changing my profession. So let’s write this epic tale of “Around the Office in 365 Days”. My ode to Microsoft Office 365.
Keep in mind that these tips and tricks do not only apply to Office 365 – but where applicable, to the overall Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint.