Excel: Printing 3-D Pie Charts with Improved Shading

 Last reviewed: November 4, 1994
Article ID: Q89704
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 4.0

SUMMARY

In version 4.0 of Microsoft Excel, 3-D charts display with shading to give the 3-D appearance on the screen (that is, a 3-D column has the top and one side shaded darker than the front surface of the column).

MORE INFORMATION

With 3-D Pie Charts you can improve the appearance of the printed chart in most cases by selecting custom colors for the data markers (pie slices). When you use custom colors to print a chart, Excel uses the built in gray-scaling of the printer to print the shading.

If you use automatic colors, Excel sends each piece of the chart as a bitmapped image. Using the printer's built-in gray-scaling often results in an improved, printed image.

To set custom colors:

  1. Bring your chart up in a chart window.

    If your chart is embedded on a worksheet, double-click the chart to bring it up in a chart window.

  2. Select a data marker by clicking it with the mouse.

  3. From the Format menu, choose Patterns.

    Note: For a shortcut to the Patterns dialog box, double-click a data marker (pie slice).

  4. In the Area option box, select the Custom option.

  5. Choose the OK button.

Repeat steps 2 through 5 for each data marker (piece of the pie) to cause Excel to use the printer's built-in gray-scaling when you print your chart.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel User's Guide 1," version 4.0, pages 477-481

KBCategory: kbprint
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 4.0 4.00 3D dimensional printing

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 4, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.