XL97: Unable to Create a Transparent Chart Area

ID: Q160609

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 97, if you format the chart area of a chart with a fill pattern of None, the chart appears to be transparent; however, you cannot select the cells behind the chart.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs when the following conditions are met:

You right-click the chart area of a chart, and then click Format Chart Area on the shortcut menu that appears (or click Format Chart Area on the Chart toolbar).
```
    -and-
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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.

STATUS

The behavior is by design of Microsoft Excel 97.

MORE INFORMATION

This behavior differs from behavior in earlier versions of Microsoft Excel. In earlier versions, 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.

Additional query words: XL97

Keywords          : kbualink97 kbchart xldraw 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: November 4, 1998