XL97: Illegal Operation Using Chart Wizard

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you create a chart using the Chart Wizard, the following error message appears:

   This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
   If the problem persists, contact the program vendor.

   EXCEL caused an invalid page fault in module EXCEL.EXE at 0137:3037e7b2

CAUSE

This problem occurs when you add the Dark Shading or the Light Shading tool to a toolbar, and then use the Chart Wizard to create a chart.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1: Hide the Toolbar

Hide the toolbar that contains the shading buttons. To hide a toolbar, point to Toolbars on the View menu and click the name of the toolbar that you want to hide.

Method 2: Remove the Shading Tools

Remove the Dark Shading and Light Shading tools from your toolbar before you use the Chart Wizard. To remove a tool from a toolbar, hold down ALT, and then drag the button off the toolbar.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows, Service Release 1.

MORE INFORMATION

The Dark Shading and Light Shading tools allow you to add shading to cells and objects in a worksheet. You can add the tools to a custom or a built-in toolbar in the Customize dialog box. To display this dialog box, right- click a blank area on a toolbar and click Customize. To add a command to a toolbar, click the Commands tab in the Customize dialog box and drag an item from the Commands list onto a toolbar.

For additional information about creating custom tools, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   Article-ID: Q161496
   TITLE     : XL97: How to Customize a Custom Toolbar Button