Fill Color Doesn't Display

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 20, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003

6

Rick wrote about a problem he was having when viewing cells that have a fill color. It seems that the color doesn't show up on the display, but it does show up when he prints the worksheet.

This problem is most likely related to the settings in Windows, not in Excel. Follow these general steps:

  1. Display the Control Panel.
  2. Double-click the Accessibility Options applet. Windows displays the Accessibility Options dialog box.
  3. Make sure the Display tab is visible. (See Figure 1.)

    4. Figure 1. The Display tab of the Accessibility Options dialog box.

  4. Clear the Use High Contrast check box.
  5. Click OK.

The fill colors should now be visible in the worksheet. They were "hidden" to make viewing data easier for those with certain types of visual limitations. This problem is detailed in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/833258

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3300) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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What is one less than 9?

2022-08-08 09:08:48

jeff

no contrast - well done!!!!!!

2022-01-06 13:03:09

MaryAnn Berry

You are amazing thank you so very much!!!

2019-09-26 04:10:35

Rahul

Thanks for the help, the computer seems so new, you are amazing!!!!

2018-10-02 20:39:32

Sohail Naseer

Thanks for tip on "fill color doesn't display".
However, I don't have the "Accessibility Options" applet under the Control Panel.
Help?
Thanks.
Sohail

2018-04-21 06:16:45

Willy Vanhaelen

This tip still applies to Windows XP !!!

2018-04-20 10:57:59

Georgina Aucoin

Thanks for tip on "fill color doesn't display".
However, I don't have the "Accessibility Options" applet under the Control Panel.
Help?
Thanks.
Georgina

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