How can I create a border around a chart (similar to Excel's default look)?

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Level 1

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How can I create a border around a chart (similar to Excel's default look)?

One thing I find disturbing about Numbers is that the charts are created in default format without any border. This is completely opposite what I'm used to, which is a single black thing borderline that defines the outside of the chart on the page.

Is there anyway to recreate this default look in Numbers, aside from using a text box object and changing ITS border to a black line? Seems silly I have to create a box each time I make a new chart that I want a border for.

iMac 24" 2.8Ghz, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Dec 8, 2008 9:25 AM

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Answer 1

KOENIG Yvan

Level 8

41,845 points

Dec 8, 2008 9:42 AM in response to gdd9000

If you wish to get every feature available in Excel thru a protocol identical to the Excel one, there is a very good soluce: use Excel.

Numbers is not and will not be a clone of Excel so, don't be surprise if it doesn't behave the same.

To put a border around a chart, sometimes I uses a rectangular shape whose background is set to none, sometimes I insert it in a text box with a border.

If this is bothering you, you may _Go to "Provide Pages Feedback" in the "Pages" menu_, describe what you wish.
Then, cross your fingers, and wait _at least_ for iWork'09 😉

You may also use an other tool.

Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE lundi 8 décembre 2008 18:42:56)

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Answer 2

gdd9000 Author

Level 1

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Dec 8, 2008 10:04 AM in response to KOENIG Yvan

I didnt say I want the same protocol, just wanted to be able to do the same thing, without a giant dose of tedium to go with it. Having to create a background each time I make a chart is kind of redundant and annoying. Why not just have background/outline options?

And as for using Excel, yes, I could go back and use that, but then I'd have the same issues Im trying to get away from by using Apple Numbers - poor looking graphics, kerning, etc. No escape from that in Excel, but so far, coming to Apple Numbers and trying to still get all my charting needs done so that I can continue creating the publications I need, is quite a time waster.

So, I can get my work done fast and have my charts look the way I want them to in Excel, but crappily, or get them sort of the way I want to in Apple Numbers and take forever doing it, and also not be able to do things like combo bar/line charts etc.

Im already giving up a lot to switch to Apple Numbers. For now, I'll have to pray that some of the feature requests Ive put in get included in updated versions.

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Answer 3

KOENIG Yvan

Level 8

41,845 points

Dec 8, 2008 11:02 AM in response to gdd9000

I apologize but as an end user like you, I am unable to change the program's behaviour.
So I described the way we may behave given the existing program.

Maybe it will be different with iWork '09 but at this time I knows nothing about it.

As I wrote, Numbers was not designed to clone Excel.

Some features are better, some aren't.
Only the user may decide which is the one fitting its needs.

Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE lundi 8 décembre 2008 20:02:28)

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