# Getting Started Designing

Discover the essential steps for designing in Spread Designer. From setting preferences to saving your work, master the art of creating dynamic components.

## Content



To begin designing your Spread component in the Spread Designer:

*   Set preferences, as described in the [Settings Menu](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-win/overview/spwin-designerguide/spwin-spd-iface/spwin-spd-menus/spwin-spd-menu-format).
*   Set the Spread settings, as described in the [Spread Settings Dialog](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-win/overview/spwin-designerguide/spwin-spd-dialogs/SDSpreadDialog).
*   Set up the sheets and customize the sheet settings, as described in the [Sheet Settings Dialog](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-win/overview/spwin-designerguide/spwin-spd-dialogs/SDSheetDialog).
*   Work in the data area of the sheet, as described in [Designing in the Data Area](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-win/overview/spwin-designerguide/spwin-spd-design).
*   Optionally, add shapes to highlight areas of the sheet, as described in [Designing Shapes](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-win/overview/spwin-designerguide/spwin-spd-useshapes).
*   Save your work to a file, apply the settings to the component on the form, or print a copy, as described in [Working with the Design](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-win/overview/spwin-designerguide/spwin-spd-using).

For more information about Spread Designer, return to the [Introduction to Spread Designer](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-win/overview/spwin-designerguide/spwin-spd-intro).

## See Also

[Overview of Spread Designer Features](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-win/overview/spwin-designerguide/spwin-spd-intro/spwin-spd-oview)

[Starting Spread Designer](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-win/overview/spwin-designerguide/spwin-spd-intro/spwin-spd-launch)

[Simple Example Using Spread Designer](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-win/overview/spwin-designerguide/spwin-spd-intro/spwin-spd-simple)

[Running Spread Designer Stand Alone](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-win/overview/spwin-designerguide/spwin-spd-intro/spwin-spd-standalone)