Picture options grayed out

[Ray Knight]

In Excel 2002, Office XP, when I insert a picture for the
background of a chart, it is squeezed and stretched in
the chart (though not in the preview). The picture
options are grayed out. I tried it with both JPEG and
bitmap graphics with the same problem.

Also, in the gradient fill, the transparency sliders are
inoperative.

Any ideas how to activate these features?

Ray

 

[Ray Knight]

Thanks for the info, Debra.

Ray

 

[Ray Knight]

Hmm.

No doubt you're right, Debra. However, in checking
furthre, I find in the Excel Help file the following
instructions:

"Use a picture in a chart
Most charts or chart items


To specify a picture, click Select Picture.
In the Look in box, click the drive, folder, or Internet
location that contains the picture, and then double-click
the picture you want.
On the Picture tab, select the options you want."


According to that, the options should be available to
change in a chart. Is that an error in the Help file?

Ray

 

[Debra Dalgleish]

Step 1 of the instructions say:
Click the data markers in column, bar, area, bubble, 3-D line, and
filled radar charts, the chart area, the plot area, or the legend in 2-D
and 3-D charts, or the 3-D walls or floor that you want to use a picture
for.

Some of the options are available for some chart objects. For example,
if you add a picture to a data marker in a column chart, the Format
options are available. If you add a picture to a data marker in a 3D
column chart, the Format and Apply to options are available.

But for the chart area (background), which is where you wanted your
picture, no options are available.