XL97: Error Message Appears Formatting Chart Data Labels

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you format the data labels for a series on a chart, you receive one of the following error messages:

   Microsoft Windows 95
   --------------------

      This program has performed an illegal operation
      and will be shut down.

      If the problem persists contact the program
      vendor.

   If you click Details, an error similar to the following appears:

      EXCEL caused an invalid page fault in
      module EXCEL.EXE at 0137:300dad2f.

   If you click Close, Microsoft Excel closes.

   Microsoft Windows NT
   --------------------

      An application error has occurred
      and an application error log is being generated.

      EXCEL.exe
      Exception access violation (0xc0000005), Address: 0x300bca9b.

   If you click OK, Microsoft Excel closes.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when all of the following conditions are true:

• You delete a single data label for a series in the chart.

      -and-
  

• The chart is partially hidden in a Microsoft Excel program window that is a restored size.

      -and-
  

• You format all the data labels for the series for which you deleted the data label.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, install Microsoft Excel 97 Service Release 1 (SR-1).

To work around this problem, do any of the following:

• Before you format data labels in the chart, maximize the Microsoft Excel program window.

      -or-
  

• Delete single data labels only after you format all other data labels for that chart series.

      -or-
  

• Format each data label individually. If you deleted a single data label, do not format all data labels together for that series.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel 97 SR-1.

For additional information about SR-1, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q172475
   TITLE     : OFF97: How to Obtain and Install MS Office 97 SR-1