Microsoft KB Archive/89704

{| = Excel: Printing 3-D Pie Charts with Improved Shading =
 * width="100%"|

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:

  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.  Select a data marker by clicking it with the mouse.  From the Format menu, choose Patterns. Note: For a shortcut to the Patterns dialog box, double-click a data marker (pie slice).  In the Area option box, select the Custom option. 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.