Claris Software: Problem Pasting Excel 3.0 Charts

There is an issue with pasting charts from Excel 3.0 into MacDraw II, as well as other drawing programs (MacDraw Pro, Claris CAD, Canvas 2.1, Freehand, SuperPaint and MacDraft). The axis text comes in all on one line, instead of at each axis point. Also, in one test chart, the bars in the bar graph did not paste at all.

These same charts do paste into MacDraw 1.9.X with the text placed correctly. Thus, one workaround is to paste the chart into MacDraw 1.9, then copy and paste into MacDraw II. Excel 3.0 charts DO paste properly into programs that read the chart as a single graphic object (MacWrite II, Word, PowerPoint, SmartForm, PageMaker, etc.)

In addition, when copying cells as a graphic using Excel's camera tool (which automatically converts the selected group of cells into a clipboard graphic) an ungrouped bunch of text and graphic objects is created. This group, when pasted into MacDraw Pro or II, can be fully manipulated. There have been reported difficulties with the clipboard handling graphics across company programs, i.e. Excel to Word is not an issue, but Excel to MacDraw Pro, MacWrite II, or Canvas causes the items to drop out, or run together. Solution Three solves this.

Solution One: Microsoft has released an update, 3.0a.

Solution Two: PictFixer - This shareware INIT permits charts to be copied from Excel 3.0 into several popular drawing programs which currently don't understand Excel's new clipboard info. These programs include MacDraw II, Canvas 2.1, DeskDraw 3.0 and Superpaint 2.0.

File: PictFixer Release _.sea (18421 bytes)
DL time (2400 baud): < 2 minutes
Download count: 17
Uploaded on: America Online AUTHOR: Morgan Belford

Solution Three: Microsoft has released an init to allow users to correctly paste their Microsoft Excel 3.0 charts into MacDraw II and MacDraw Pro, Canvas, etc. If you have any further questions about the INIT - Chart Pasting, or, if you have difficulty installing the INIT, please contact Macintosh Excel Product Support at (206) 635-7080. Technicians are available from 6 am to 6 pm PST. The init is available on CompuServe in the Microsoft Forum:Excel Library:CopyIn.

The following is a copy of the Read Me document that accompanies the Chart Pasting INIT from Microsoft:

7/25/91

This disk contains:
ChartPaster INIT
Read Me

The ChartPaster INIT is designed to allow you to copy charts to all draw programs without loosing the positioning of your text. The INIT should also eliminate any text positioning problems with worksheet pictures pasted into certain draw programs.

Note: You must be running under MultiFinder for the INIT to be effective.

How to install the ChartPaster INIT:
System 6.0.x:
Drag the INIT from the diskette, and place it in your System Folder. Note that the INIT will not be functional until after you restart your Macintosh.

System 7.0:
Drag the INIT from the diskette, and place it in your Extensions folder. This folder is located within your System 7.0 folder. Note that the INIT will not be functional until after you restart your Macintosh.