Maintaining a data overview in spite of diagrams(Excel XP, 2003, 2007)

             When calculating in Excel, you have illustrated data with diagrams. However, the empty diagram area is now also covering all the data in this area in white.

             You can make the background transparent, so that only the actual diagram covers the data. First design the calculation and insert the relevant diagram. Then right-click anywhere in the diagram background, which is white. Under Excel 2007, select the ‘Format diagram’ context command and then the ‘Fill’ category on the left. Click the ‘No fi ll’ option on the right. In previous Excel versions, select the ‘Format diagram’ context command and activate the ‘Sample’ tab. Now click the ‘None’ option in the ‘Area’ fi eld. Confi rm the dialog with ‘OK’. The modifi ed setting is only effective when you change the marking again from the diagram to another element. Depending on the program version, Excel shows the diagram legend differently. While it automatically appears transparent in Excel 2007, it normally has a white background in previous versions. Similar to the diagram, you can also change the appearance using the ‘Format legend’ context command.