Pattern Fills for Ms Excel 2007

After using Office 2010, I didn't realize that Office 2007 doesn't comes with the Pattern Fill until a user came to me about it. Well, if you are wondering what is Pattern Fill, it is fill used when you create Charts in either Ms Excel or Powerpoint. Try create a chart on Ms Excel 2007 and you realize that there is no pattern fill when you click Format. Good news, it doesn't happen on Ms Office 2010.

For those using Office 2007, you can download the excel add-ins from the Internet. I get mine from here http://blogs.office.com/b/microsoft-excel/archive/2007/11/16/chart-pattern-fills.aspx.

After download, you can safely add it to the Excel Add-Ins by following:

1. Open Excel program.
2. Click File>Excel Options.
3. Under Add-Ins, select Excel Add-Ins from the Manage button and click Go.
4. You will be prompt the Add-Ins box. Click on Browse.
5. Select the PatternFills add-ins that you have downloaded. Click Ok.
6. You should be able to see the add-ins every time you open the excel program. 

Not required for Office 2010 as it includes the Pattern Fill. So not bad at all if you choose to upgrade. =)

If you ever wonder why the need for pattern fills, well it is useful if you need to publish your charts for black and white printing.