Fill Patterns

[cohsrains]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I publish data in journals which require black and white print. Excel 2008 does not seem to have pattern effects like dots, dashes, slanted lines to fill columns in charts. The "fill effects" option under fill in the formatting palette is grayed out and is not able to be selected. The discussion board suggests making my own pictures... I really don't want to spend my time creating pictures with these patterns as this is a BASIC feature in previous versions of excel. Does anyone have any suggestions outside of creating my own pictures?

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I publish data in journals which require black and white print. Excel 2008
does not seem to have pattern effects like dots, dashes, slanted lines to
fill columns in charts. The "fill effects" option under fill in the
formatting palette is grayed out and is not able to be selected. The
discussion board suggests making my own pictures... I really don't want to
spend my time creating pictures with these patterns as this is a BASIC
feature in previous versions of excel. Does anyone have any suggestions
outside of creating my own pictures?

One suggestion:

Using XL04 (or previous workbooks created with fill effects), save
workbooks, with the charts designed the way you want, as templates. Use
dynamic ranges if possible.

Then create your new workbooks from the templates, and paste in the new
data.

I have one client that has several canned report templates, and uses
that method. A small PITA, but it works for them.

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I publish data in journals which require black and white print. Excel 2008 does not seem to have pattern effects like dots, dashes, slanted lines to fill columns in charts. The "fill effects" option under fill in the formatting palette is grayed out and is not able to be selected. The discussion board suggests making my own pictures... I really don't want to spend my time creating pictures with these patterns as this is a BASIC feature in previous versions of excel. Does anyone have any suggestions outside of creating my own pictures?

Hi,

The new graph tool does not have the vector graphic effects you are
seeking, but the are still available in Office 2008

Use Insert > Object and then use Microsoft Graph. The old interface and
all of the vector graphic capabilities are still there.

-Jim