Excel Zoom Violates Chart Size Integrity

Stuart Bratesman · External Since: Feb 24, 2010 Posts: 1

I've found two related bugs where the Excel 2007 (SP2) zoom function violates
chart size integrity.

Bug 1:
If you highlight a chart in Excel and look at the chart's height and width
in the SIZE area of the CHART TOOLS: FORMAT ribbon, you will notice that the
nominal size of the chart will change erratically when you vary the Excel
zoom level. This should not happen.

It means that if you want to create multiple charts at the same size, you
have to remember to make all of your chart size adjustments while working at
the same zoom setting.

Bug 2:
If you copy an Excel chart with the Excel zoom set at 100%, then
Paste_Special (Picture Enhanced Metafile) into Word 2007, then copy the same
chart at a different Excel zoom setting, and Paste_Special (Picture Enhanced
Metafile) again into Word, the two Word copies of the same chart vary
erratically in size.

Example:

Original Excel Size: 4.2” x6.38”

Excel Zoom Level Size in Word
100% 4.22” x 6.42"

60% 4.15” x 6.37”
20% 3.74” x 6.50”
150% 4.30” x 6.42”

These unexpected behaviors are impermissible. Changing the Excel zoom level
should have zero effect on the numerically-specified nominal size of a chart
object.

I plan to see tonight if the same bugs occur in Excel 2010.

Note: At my office, I use Windows XP Pro (SP3 ) on a Dell Optiplex 960.

--
Stuart Bratesman, Jr., MPP
Muskie School of Public Service
Univ. of Southern Maine
Portland, Maine

----------------
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Frank Horvath · External Since: Apr 28, 2010 Posts: 1

I too have this problem, and have no idea why it occurs or how to fix it. It
is really putting a monkey wrench in my plans. Please fix this!

"Stuart Bratesman" wrote:

> I've found two related bugs where the Excel 2007 (SP2) zoom function violates
> chart size integrity.
>
> Bug 1:
> If you highlight a chart in Excel and look at the chart's height and width
> in the SIZE area of the CHART TOOLS: FORMAT ribbon, you will notice that the
> nominal size of the chart will change erratically when you vary the Excel
> zoom level. This should not happen.
>
> It means that if you want to create multiple charts at the same size, you
> have to remember to make all of your chart size adjustments while working at
> the same zoom setting.
>
> Bug 2:
> If you copy an Excel chart with the Excel zoom set at 100%, then
> Paste_Special (Picture Enhanced Metafile) into Word 2007, then copy the same
> chart at a different Excel zoom setting, and Paste_Special (Picture Enhanced
> Metafile) again into Word, the two Word copies of the same chart vary
> erratically in size.
>
> Example:
>
> Original Excel Size: 4.2” x6.38”
>
> Excel Zoom Level Size in Word
> 100% 4.22” x 6.42"
>
> 60% 4.15” x 6.37”
> 20% 3.74” x 6.50”
> 150% 4.30” x 6.42”
>
> These unexpected behaviors are impermissible. Changing the Excel zoom level
> should have zero effect on the numerically-specified nominal size of a chart
> object.
>
> I plan to see tonight if the same bugs occur in Excel 2010.
>
> Note: At my office, I use Windows XP Pro (SP3 ) on a Dell Optiplex 960.
>
> --
> Stuart Bratesman, Jr., MPP
> Muskie School of Public Service
> Univ. of Southern Maine
> Portland, Maine
>
> ----------------
> This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
> suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
> Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
> link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
> click "I Agree" in the message pane.
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx?mid=cb2c1...-ce3e-4

OfficeBunny · External Since: May 18, 2010 Posts: 2

I have the same problem! My Excel chart changes size when I zoom in or out!
Make it stop!

I also discovered another bug. My chart size changes when it is opened on a
different computer. This is so frustrating.

"Frank Horvath" wrote:

> I too have this problem, and have no idea why it occurs or how to fix it. It
> is really putting a monkey wrench in my plans. Please fix this!
>
> "Stuart Bratesman" wrote:
>
> > I've found two related bugs where the Excel 2007 (SP2) zoom function violates
> > chart size integrity.
> >
> > Bug 1:
> > If you highlight a chart in Excel and look at the chart's height and width
> > in the SIZE area of the CHART TOOLS: FORMAT ribbon, you will notice that the
> > nominal size of the chart will change erratically when you vary the Excel
> > zoom level. This should not happen.
> >
> > It means that if you want to create multiple charts at the same size, you
> > have to remember to make all of your chart size adjustments while working at
> > the same zoom setting.
> >
> > Bug 2:
> > If you copy an Excel chart with the Excel zoom set at 100%, then
> > Paste_Special (Picture Enhanced Metafile) into Word 2007, then copy the same
> > chart at a different Excel zoom setting, and Paste_Special (Picture Enhanced
> > Metafile) again into Word, the two Word copies of the same chart vary
> > erratically in size.
> >
> > Example:
> >
> > Original Excel Size: 4.2” x6.38”
> >
> > Excel Zoom Level Size in Word
> > 100% 4.22” x 6.42"
> >
> > 60% 4.15” x 6.37”
> > 20% 3.74” x 6.50”
> > 150% 4.30” x 6.42”
> >
> > These unexpected behaviors are impermissible. Changing the Excel zoom level
> > should have zero effect on the numerically-specified nominal size of a chart
> > object.
> >
> > I plan to see tonight if the same bugs occur in Excel 2010.
> >
> > Note: At my office, I use Windows XP Pro (SP3 ) on a Dell Optiplex 960.
> >
> > --
> > Stuart Bratesman, Jr., MPP
> > Muskie School of Public Service
> > Univ. of Southern Maine
> > Portland, Maine
> >
> > ----------------
> > This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
> > suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
> > Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
> > link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
> > click "I Agree" in the message pane.
> >
> > http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx?mid=cb2c1...-ce3e-4

OfficeBunny · External Since: May 18, 2010 Posts: 2

The solution I found is to create charts with zoom set at 100%. If any
details need to be adjusted at a higher zoom setting, 200% and 400% display
the chart accurately.