XL2000: You Are Unable to Create a Transparent Chart Area (212209)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
This article was previously published under Q212209

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 2000, if you format the chart area of a chart with a fill pattern of None, the chart appears to be transparent; however, you may be unable to select the cells behind the chart.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur when the following conditions are true:
  • You right-click the chart area of a chart, and then click Format Chart Area on the shortcut menu (or click Format Chart Area on the Chart toolbar).

    -and-
  • You click the Patterns tab, and then click None under Area.
Formatting the chart area with no fill pattern provides the illusion that the chart area is transparent.

MORE INFORMATION

This behavior differs from behavior in versions of Excel earlier than Excel 97. In versions earlier than Excel 97, if you format the chart area of an embedded chart with no fill pattern, you can access the cells behind the object by clicking them.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/5/2003
Keywords:kbchart kbprb KB212209
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