Create dynamic visuals with text overlays

Use text overlays on page inserts to combine designed background pages with dynamic content from Tangelo. This functionality allows you to position text, figures, KPIs, tables, and custom elements on top of a full-page visual while keeping the content editable and data-driven.

Text overlays are commonly used for covers, chapter openers, KPI pages, dashboards, and infographic-style layouts. Designers can manage the visual design of the page insert, while editors maintain the content and data directly in Tangelo.

The overlay structure works as a table positioned on top of the page insert. Rows, columns, and cells can be positioned precisely on the page to align content with the background design.

Summary

After completing these steps, dynamic Tangelo content is positioned on top of a designed page insert and can optionally be connected to a data source for automated updates.

Preconditions

• A document already exists in Tangelo.
• A page insert has already been added to the document.
• The background design has been uploaded to an image collection.
• Optional: a connected data source is available for synchronized figures or KPIs.

Steps

1. Open the document in the editor.
2. Add or select a page insert.

3. Add a text overlay table:

   • Right-click on the page insert.
   • Select Text Overlay.
   • A table is added on top of the page insert.
   • The table structure is used as the overlay framework.

4. Add the required content to the table cells.

   • Text
   • KPIs
   • Figures
5. Open the table, column, or cell Properties panel.
6. Configure the positioning settings.
   • Set absolute positioning for individual cells.
   • Configure Top and Left positioning values.
   • Optionally configure default positioning on column level to align multiple cells consistently.
7. Configure formatting and layout settings as required.
   • Font styling
   • Alignment
   • Spacing
   • Width and height
8. Optionally connect overlay elements to a data source.
   • Link KPIs, figures, or text to Excel or other connected data sources.
   • Synchronize values after uploading updated source data.
9. Save the document.
10. Generate a preview or output document to validate the final layout.

Expected Result

Dynamic Tangelo content is displayed on top of the designed page insert while remaining editable, reusable, and optionally synchronized with connected data sources.

Remarks

• Text overlays allow design and content management to be separated.
• Designers can maintain the background design while editors manage live content and figures in Tangelo.
• The initial setup of a text overlay can require precise positioning and layout configuration.
• Using overlays improves efficiency for recurring reports and reduces the need to redesign pages for every reporting cycle.
• Column settings can be used to define default positioning for multiple cells in the same column.
• Cell properties override table and column positioning settings.
• Connected data sources make it possible to update figures automatically after uploading a new Excel file or synchronizing data.

Walkthrough

A visual step-by-step walkthrough is included below to guide you through creating dynamic page designs with text overlays.