Once you have selected a column (or columns), format them for color and 3-D effects, as follows:
Select Style from the Format menu. The "Format Columns" dialog is displayed.
Click on the associated tab to turn to the Color page.
In the Interior group box there are two color palettes: one for Foreground and one for Background color. The box just above these is where you choose the pattern that combines the foreground and background color. The pattern and colors you choose will fill the whole of the column you are formatting, with text displayed on top of the pattern (in the color you chose, if any, in Textcolor on the Font page).
Note: The default setting is white on white, that is to say, the white color button is depressed for both foreground and background. Obviously no pattern can be formed from this combination, as you can see from the absence of options if you click on the arrow in the pattern box. Likewise for any other color when it is selected in both palettes.
To form a pattern, proceed as follows:
Click on a color in the Foreground palette and one in the Background palette (note that white is also a valid color option for either or both of the palettes).
Click on the pattern box arrow and select one of the displayed patterns. The pattern and its color combination are shown in the pattern box and also in the Preview box. You can proceed to combine different colors by experimenting with the palettes and the available patterns.
In the 3D-Effect group box choose whether you want the column to display its pattern in down mode (choose Inset), up mode (choose Raised), or normal mode (choose Normal).
The pattern, color and 3D effect are all displayed in the Preview box.
Click on the OK button to save and apply the new color formats.
See: