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Canvases · Legacy self-service product

Drawing Objects

Add text, shapes, images, and videos to your canvas

You're viewing documentation for the legacy Scoop self-service product. For the current product, see What Is Scoop.

Beyond charts and data visualizations, Scoop canvases support drawing objects that help you create polished, professional presentations. Add context, annotations, branding, and multimedia to tell a complete data story.

Available Drawing Objects

Object Type Purpose Use Cases
Text Blocks Add titles, descriptions, annotations Headlines, explanatory text, callouts
Lines & Arrows Connect elements, draw attention Flowcharts, annotations, emphasis
Images Add logos, diagrams, photos Branding, context, illustrations
Videos Embed video content Training, demonstrations, context
Shapes Create backgrounds, highlights Visual organization, emphasis

Adding Drawing Objects

  1. Open your canvas in edit mode
  2. Click + Add from the toolbar
  3. Select the object type you want to add
  4. Click on the canvas to place it
  5. Resize and position as needed

Rich Text

Text blocks in Scoop support comprehensive formatting options:

Text Formatting Options

Feature Options
Font Multiple typefaces available
Size From small captions to large headlines
Style Bold, italic, underline, strikethrough
Color Full color palette for text
Alignment Left, center, right, justified

Paragraph Features

  • Bulleted lists: Organize points clearly
  • Numbered lists: Sequential steps or rankings
  • Indentation: Create hierarchy
  • Line spacing: Control density
  • Tables: Structured data within text blocks

Common Text Uses

Use Case Example
Title "Q4 Sales Performance"
Subtitle "Revenue by Region and Product Line"
Annotation "Note: Excludes returns"
Callout "↑ 23% vs. Prior Year"
Description Explanatory paragraph below a chart

Lines and Arrows

Connect elements and draw attention with lines and arrows.

Line Types

  • Straight lines: Clean connections
  • Arrows: Directional indicators
  • Connectors: Link related elements

Styling Options

  • Color: Match your theme
  • Thickness: From hairline to bold
  • Style: Solid, dashed, dotted
  • Arrowheads: Single, double, or none

Common Uses

  • Point to key data points
  • Connect related visualizations
  • Create flowcharts
  • Indicate trends or movement

Images

Add visual context with images.

Supported Formats

  • PNG (recommended for logos)
  • JPEG (photos)
  • SVG (scalable graphics)
  • GIF (simple animations)

Image Uses

Use Case Example
Logo Company branding in corner
Product photos Context for sales data
Diagrams Process flows, org charts
Icons Visual indicators
Screenshots Reference to source systems

Image Best Practices

  • Use high-resolution images for clarity
  • Keep file sizes reasonable for performance
  • Maintain consistent sizing across similar images
  • Consider transparent backgrounds for logos

Videos

Embed video content directly in your canvas.

Video Sources

  • Upload video files
  • Embed from YouTube
  • Embed from Vimeo

Video Uses

  • Training content accompanying data
  • Product demonstrations
  • Executive messages
  • Context videos

Video Considerations

  • Videos play within the canvas
  • Control playback (play, pause, volume)
  • Consider autoplay settings for presentations
  • Test video performance before presenting

Layering and Positioning

Z-Order (Front to Back)

Objects can be layered:

  • Send to Back: Place behind other objects
  • Bring to Front: Place on top
  • Send Backward/Forward: Move one layer at a time

Alignment

Align multiple objects:

  • Align left, center, right
  • Align top, middle, bottom
  • Distribute evenly

Grouping

Group related objects to:

  • Move them together
  • Resize proportionally
  • Maintain relationships

Design Tips

Visual Hierarchy

Create clear hierarchy with:

  • Larger text for titles
  • Smaller text for details
  • Bold for emphasis
  • Color for categories

Whitespace

  • Don't overcrowd your canvas
  • Leave breathing room around elements
  • Use whitespace to group related items

Consistency

  • Use consistent fonts throughout
  • Match colors to your theme
  • Align elements to a grid
  • Keep similar objects the same size

Branding

  • Add logo in consistent position
  • Use company colors
  • Follow brand guidelines for fonts
  • Maintain professional appearance

Troubleshooting

Text Not Displaying Correctly

  • Check font is supported
  • Verify text color contrasts with background
  • Ensure text box is large enough

Images Not Loading

  • Verify file format is supported
  • Check file size isn't too large
  • Confirm image URL is accessible

Objects Overlapping Unexpectedly

  • Check z-order (bring to front/send to back)
  • Verify object positions
  • Use alignment tools to organize

Related Topics

Updated October 19, 2026