Microsoft Knowledge Base

WINDOWS         | MACINTOSH

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, if a combination chart contains two or more series and some of the series are formatted as pie charts or doughnut charts, you may not be able to specify the color of the plot area.

WORKAROUND

To make the color of the plot area visible when you are using a combination chart that contains one or more series formatted as a pie or doughnut chart, you must first make the entire chart into a pie or doughnut chart. To do this to an existing chart, follow the steps below:

1. In the chart sheet, choose Chart Type from the Format menu.

2. Under Apply To, select the Entire Chart option. Select the Doughnut type from the table of chart types, and then choose OK.

3. Select the plot area of the chart.

4. From the Format menu, choose Selected Plot Area.

5. Under Area, select the desired color and pattern. Choose OK.

Note that if you use a chart type that uses axes (area, column, line, and so on), your axes may appear in the wrong location in the chart. To correct this problem, do the following:

1. Select an axis and choose Selected Axis from the Format menu.

2. Select the Scale tab.

3. Depending on the selected axis and the configuration of your chart, you will need to select or clear the three check boxes at the bottom of the Scale tab.

4. Choose OK to accept the change.

MORE INFORMATION

This error only occurs if one or more (but not all) series have been formatted as pie or doughnut charts: combination charts that include series that are formatted as any combination of area, bar, column, line, radar, or xy (scatter) charts will appear correctly.