Configuring Excel for Web Output

One of the features of Excel is the ability to save the workbook, worksheet or chart in HTML format. This How To gives you an idea of what settings you might use when configuring Excel for Web Output and why.

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Graphic Image Types (Windows and Macintosh)

When you save your workbook or worksheet in HTML format, Excel determines the appropriate graphics format for your graphics and converts them to GIF, JPEG, or PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format. Excel creates a subfolder named "filename_files" and stores the converted graphics there. For example, if your file is named Book1.htm, Excel creates a subfolder named "Book1_files." Excel also assigns names such as image001.jpg and image002.gif to supporting files.

If you want crisp, clean images that load fast and have access to a graphic editor program like FireWorks or Photoshop, you should save the images in PNG format. Then you can use the graphic editor to open the file and export it out as either a GIF or JPEG image. If you don't want to go through the hassle, then you should turn off the PNG output option.

1. [Windows] From the Tools menu, choose Options....
   [Macintosh] From the Edit menu, choose Preferences....
2. In the dialog box, click on the General tab, then click on the Web Options... button.
3. [Win-Office 2000 & Mac-Office 2001] Click the Pictures tab.
   [Win-Office XP/2003] Click the Browsers tab.
4. Depending on your preference (see above), select or de-select "Allow PNG as an output format".
5. Click OK until all dialog boxes are closed to save changes.

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How To Set the Video Resolution (Windows and Macintosh)

Graphics and text can wrap differently, depending on the video resolution (the size of the screen elements relative to the screen size). The screen size you specify can affect the size and layout of images in a workbook, including the gradient page backgrounds. The pixel size affects the size of graphics relative to the size of text on the screen. If your graphics and text don't look the way you expect, change the screen and pixel settings by doing the following:

1. [Windows] From the Tools menu, choose Options....
   [Macintosh] From the Edit menu, choose Preferences....
2. In the dialog box, click on the General tab, then click on the Web Options... button.
3. Click the Pictures tab.
4. Under Target monitor, do the following:
   (Note This option applies to the current page and any future pages that you save in Excel.)
   In the Screen size box, select a screen size. 640 x 480 is recommended.
   In the Pixels per inch box, select a pixel size. 72 is recommended.
5. Click OK until all dialog boxes are closed to save changes.

Note: You can sometimes change the appearance of graphics and text by adjusting these options. By using the recommended options, your file sizes will remain small and will download faster. Also, if you are a County Extension office, they will fit into your Level 3 and 4 templates better.

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Cascading Style Sheets (Windows only)

Advanced Web developers may choose to select Rely on Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for font formatting in the Web Options dialog box. Using CSS will cause earlier browsers and browsers with CSS and Styles turned off to show text as the browser's default font.

1. From the Tools menu, choose Options....
2. In the Options dialog box, click on the General tab, then click on the Web Options... button.
3. [Office 2000] In the Web Options dialog box, uncheck Rely on CSS for font formatting.
   [Office XP/2003] Click the Browsers tab. Uncheck Rely on CSS for font formatting.
4. Click OK until all dialog boxes are closed to save changes.

Note: Office XP only, as you de-select items in the Browsers tab, the Target browser will change on its own. If you select a browser from the drop-down list, its preferences will be applied.