Microsoft Knowledge Base

• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 5.0

SYMPTOMS

If you are using Microsoft Excel 5.0 for the Macintosh, and you open a Microsoft Excel version 4.0 file that contains an embedded pie chart, the printed chart may print out as a solid black circle.

This problem occurs if your printer options are set to Black & White and you are using the Apple LaserWriter version 7.2 printer driver.

CAUSE

The default colors for pie charts in Microsoft Excel 4.0 are different from those in Microsoft Excel 5.0. When you open the file containing the embedded pie chart in Microsoft Excel 5.0, the colors in the chart are not automatically converted to the new default colors.

WORKAROUNDS

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

Method 1: Use the AutoFormat feature to update the colors in the chart:

          1. To activate the chart in Microsoft Excel 5.0, double-click the
             embedded chart.

          2. From the Format menu, choose AutoFormat.

          3. In the AutoFormat dialog box, choose OK.

          The colors in the pie chart will revert to the standard colors
          for Microsoft Excel 5.0, and you should now be able to print the
          pie chart with the correct shades of gray.

          4. From the File menu, choose Print, and in the Print dialog box,
             choose Print.

          1. From the File menu, choose Print.

          2. In the Printer dialog box that comes up, choose the Options
             button.

          3. In the Print Options dialog box, choose Color/Grayscale, and
             then choose OK.

          4. Choose the Print button.

The pie chart should now be printed in the appropriate shades of gray (on a black and white printer).

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel User's Guide," version 5.0, Chapter 15, "Creating a Chart"

For more information about Charts, choose the Search button in Help and type:

   Embedded Charts