XL2000: RGB Function May Map to Unexpected Color (213201)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
This article was previously published under Q213201

SYMPTOMS

When you use the RGBfunction in a Visual Basic for Applications macro, the color value of the RGB color of the index may be mapped to a color other than the color you expected.

For example, RGB(65,0,0) is mapped to Dark Red, but RGB(64,0,0) is mapped to Black.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because the color property accepts an RGB triple and maps it to the nearest color index. When the property retrieves the color value, it returns the RGB color of the index, which may be different from the value you typed. In the example, RGB(65,0,0) is mapped to Dark Red (RGB(128,0,0)), but RGB(64,0,0) is mapped to Black (RGB(0,0,0)).

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use the ShapeRange objects collection. The ShapeRange objects collection allows greater flexibility when you change colors in code. Instead of using this 
Selection.Interior.Color = RGB(x,y,z)
you can use the following: 
Selection.ShapeRange.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(x,y,z)

MORE INFORMATION

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http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

When you use an application method or property that accepts a color specification value, use a number that represents an RGB color value. An RGB color value specifies the relative intensity of the red, green, and blue colors that cause a specific color to be displayed.

The following steps assume that you created a Visual Basic module that contains the following code 
Sub ChangeRGB()

     ActiveSheet.Rectangles(1).Select
     With Selection.Interior
         .Pattern = xlSolid
         .Color = RGB([B1].Value, [B2].Value, [B3].Value)
     End With

End Sub
and that you created a worksheet that contains the following values: 
   A1: Red     B1:       C1:       D1:
   A2: Green   B2:       C2:       D2:
   A3: Blue    B3:       C3:       D3:
   A4:         B4:       C4:       D4:
   A5:         B5:       C5:       D5:
To use the sample macro, follow these steps:
  1. On the View menu, point to Toolbars, and then click Drawing.
  2. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Rectangle tool. Click cell C1 and drag the pointer from cell C1 to cell D5 to draw a rectangle.
  3. On Sheet1, type the value 65 in cell B1.
  4. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Macros. Click ChangeRGB, and then click Run.

    Note that the color of the rectangle is dark red.
  5. Change the value in cell B1 to 64.
  6. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Macros. Click ChangeRGB, and then click Run.

    Note that the color of the rectangle is black.

REFERENCES

For more information about the ShapeRange collection object, in the Visual Basic Editor, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type ShapeRange Collection Object in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/11/2006
Keywords:kbdtacode kbprb kbProgramming KB213201
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