Excel: Chart Pastes to Worksheet as Picture or Embedded Object

ID: Q80236

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 3.0, 4.0, 5.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, if a chart is copied and closed before being pasted onto a worksheet, it is pasted in as a picture rather than a chart. The picture is also pasted as it would appear when printed; therefore, it appears in black and white if a black-and-white printer is selected.

Double-clicking the chart does not bring up a chart window. With Macintosh System 6.x, the Patterns dialog box appears when the chart is double- clicked. With System 7.0, after some time, Microsoft Excel displays the error message:

Unable to activate the source application for this embedded object.

This problem occurs whether or not the chart has been saved. This problem also occurs if the chart has been saved and reopened and is currently on the desktop.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do not close a chart after copying it and before pasting it to a worksheet.

MORE INFORMATION

When selected, an embedded chart displays "Chart" and a number in the reference area to the left of the formula bar. In both System 6.0.x and System 7.0, the designation "Picture" with a number appears to indicate that it is an embedded graphic and not a chart.

With System 7.0, the EMBED function appears in the formula bar, indicating that the picture was generated through dynamic data exchange (DDE). However, when the picture is double-clicked, Microsoft Excel searches for the object's creator, eventually gives up, and displays the error message.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel User's Guide 1," version 4.0, pages 395-399

"Microsoft Excel User's Guide," version 3.0, page 323

Additional query words: 3.0 4.00a macxl


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Last Reviewed: March 23, 1999