Copy chart to clipboard - VBA

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

Hi again,

I'm trying to use VBA to:

- copy a chart in a chart sheet
- paste it as an embedded chart in a new sheet
- resize (and format) the chart
- copy the embedded chart to the clipboard
- delete the new sheet

This is the code I've come up with so far:

Sub CopyChart()
ActiveChart.ChartArea.Select
ActiveChart.ChartArea.Copy
ActiveWorkbook.Sheets.Add
ActiveSheet.Paste
ActiveSheet.ChartObjects("Chart 1").Activate
With ActiveChart.Parent
.Height = 252.75
.Width = 342.75
ActiveChart.PlotArea.Height = 205
ActiveChart.PlotArea.Width = 340
ActiveChart.ChartArea.Copy
Application.DisplayAlerts = False
ActiveSheet.Delete
Application.DisplayAlerts = True
End With
End Sub

The problem is: when the ActiveSheet is deleted, the copied chart is
no longer available on the clipboard. I can use the CopyPicture method
in stead, but then there will be a different size when pasted in
another application.

 

[DownThePaint]

Hi Fredrik E. Nilsen;

You need to put the chart into a different workbook. It's blanking out
because Excel automatically links the data. When you put it in a seperate
workbook if I undersand you correctly it will solve your problem

Thanks,

 

[Peter T]

Hi Fredrick,

can use the CopyPicture method
in stead, but then there will be a different size when pasted in
another application.

I just tried that and it worked fine for me after deleting the chart then
pasting into an image processor, having first running this recorded macro -

ActiveChart.CopyPicture Appearance:=xlScreen, _
Size:=xlScreen, Format:=xlBitmap

If the other application is Word it may well resize.

Perhaps try different permutations of options when you do Shift > Edit >
CopyPicture...

You might also look into the Export method

Regards,
Peter

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

Hi Fredrick,


I just tried that and it worked fine for me after deleting the chart then
pasting into an image processor, having first running this recorded macro -

ActiveChart.CopyPicture Appearance:=xlScreen, _
Size:=xlScreen, Format:=xlBitmap

If the other application is Word it may well resize.

Perhaps try different permutations of options when you do Shift > Edit >
CopyPicture...

You might also look into the Export method

Thanks for your reply Peter.

Your macro would work as you describe, but with this, the chart will
not have the size and formatting the users want. When pasted in Word,
all charts should ideally have the same size and the same formatting.
With CopyPicture, it takes the size of the screen (xlScreen). Thats
why I have to copy the chart sheet, paste it as an embedded chart into
a new sheet, resize and format it, copy the new chart to the
clipboard, delete the new sheet with the new chart.

Now, I want to be able to paste the chart into Word or PowerPoint, but
when the new sheet is deleted, so is the chart on the clipboard.

 

[Jon Peltier]

Size and format the chart appropriately before copying it, so you don't have
to do any formatting in the target application. Pick a size for the chart
(I'll use 2.5" by 3" in my description that follows). With the chart on its
own sheet (a chart sheet), change the margins so the chart fits the size you
designate. The paper is 8.5" tall by 11" wide, so you need two margins 3"
wide at the top and bottom, and two margins 4" wide at the left and right.
Now when copied and pasted the chart will be the correct size.

When you copy a chart as a chart, the chart itself is not copied. Instead,
Office merely keeps track of the reference of the chart. Office then
includes either the reference (if linked), or it actually copies the chart,
when you paste. So if you delete the chart, the reference is also deleted.

- Jon

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

Size and format the chart appropriately before copying it, so you don't have
to do any formatting in the target application. Pick a size for the chart
(I'll use 2.5" by 3" in my description that follows). With the chart on its
own sheet (a chart sheet), change the margins so the chart fits the size you
designate. The paper is 8.5" tall by 11" wide, so you need two margins 3"
wide at the top and bottom, and two margins 4" wide at the left and right.
Now when copied and pasted the chart will be the correct size.

When you copy a chart as a chart, the chart itself is not copied. Instead,
Office merely keeps track of the reference of the chart. Office then
includes either the reference (if linked), or it actually copies the chart,
when you paste. So if you delete the chart, the reference is also deleted.

Thanks Jon, I hadn't thought of that approach.

Two problems come to mind:

This will only work if the paper size always is the same. I can, of
course, change the paper size to for example A4 but then I have to
revert it to the original size after the chart is copied.

Is there a way in VBA to reset the margins after the chart is copied?

 

[Peter T]

deleted.

Thanks Jon, I hadn't thought of that approach.

Two problems come to mind:

This will only work if the paper size always is the same. I can, of
course, change the paper size to for example A4 but then I have to
revert it to the original size after the chart is copied.

Is there a way in VBA to reset the margins after the chart is copied?

 

[Peter T]

Is there a way in VBA to reset the margins after the chart is copied?

If the whole issue is you want to delete the chart, after copying to the
clipboard but before pasting to Word, why do you need to be concerned with
resetting the margins.

Regards,
Peter T

 

[Peter T]

Thanks for your reply Peter.

Your macro would work as you describe, but with this, the chart will
not have the size and formatting the users want. When pasted in Word,
all charts should ideally have the same size and the same formatting.
With CopyPicture, it takes the size of the screen (xlScreen). Thats
why I have to copy the chart sheet, paste it as an embedded chart into
a new sheet, resize and format it, copy the new chart to the
clipboard, delete the new sheet with the new chart.

Now, I want to be able to paste the chart into Word or PowerPoint, but
when the new sheet is deleted, so is the chart on the clipboard.

The clipboard stores a wide variety of information as 'formats'. If you
delete the chart while it's in the clipboard all the OLE info is lost. Try
copying a cell with data that has a format, eg a colour. Paste to a cell in
another wb works as expected. Delete the original source and paste again and
only the value as text will remain in the clipboard, even if the source was
a formula.

I quickly tried the copypicture a method again and found sometimes it would
paste into Word depending on the copypicture options, even after deleting
the chart (chartobject).

For other Office app's if pasting an image, it's probably better as Windows
Meta file. Perhaps it might be worth looking at Stephen Bullen's
PastePicture.zip http://www.oaltd.co.uk/Excel/Default.htm
Use the API to copy to the clipboard in desired format.

Regards,
Peter T

 

[Jon Peltier]

People worry about having multiple copies of information, and they want a
simple way to switch formats around. It is far easier to have two copies of
the information (e.g., of a chart), and format each copy for its specific
role. If both are linked to the same source data, they will accurately show
the proper data.

If your target paper size changes, you need a differently formatted chart.
Why not have a different chart for each size paper (or for each size graphic
on any piece of paper), and let your copy routine decide which one to use?

Simpler doesn't necessarily mean smaller or using fewer sheets or whatever.
Simpler means saving yourself time and energy.

- Jon

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

People worry about having multiple copies of information, and they want a
simple way to switch formats around. It is far easier to have two copies of
the information (e.g., of a chart), and format each copy for its specific
role. If both are linked to the same source data, they will accurately show
the proper data.

If your target paper size changes, you need a differently formatted chart.
Why not have a different chart for each size paper (or for each size graphic
on any piece of paper), and let your copy routine decide which one to use?

Simpler doesn't necessarily mean smaller or using fewer sheets or whatever.
Simpler means saving yourself time and energy.

Yes, I agree with you on all your points, and I hope to educate the
users on these issues at a later point. But: at this moment the users
are not under my control so I have to stick with the approach they
think they want.

 

[Jon Peltier]

Stupid users

- Jon