OT: HTML question (part of a Filepro project)

[Jim Guinness]

Friends,

(The following question doesn't directly relate to Filepro, hence the "OT:" 
designation; it is, however, a problem I've encountered as part of a 
Filepro programming project.)

In an HTML report I generate, the client wants certain data to be 
conditionally highlighted by having its text appear on a gray background.

I can achieve this effect successfully in the file as viewed on screen by 
using style sheets ("SPAN.invt {background-color:#bfbfbf}" in the <style> 
section, and <span>data</span> when the highlighting is needed), but the 
background color does not then show up on the printed version when the file 
is printed from within IE. I've even tried setting the background color to 
black, with the same results.

As far as I can tell, there's no inline code for setting the background 
color behind text. I also tried setting the style itself inline (e.g. <span 
style="background-color:black">data</span>), but the background still 
didn't show up in the printed version, although it did appear on screen.

Is this a limitation of the browser (IE 6.0)? Windows (98SE)? Something 
else (I'm printing to a LaserJet, but also tried a color printer)?

Or is there a different  way to code this where the background would show 
up in the printed version as well as on screen?

Thanks in advance for any help, or leads.

Jim Guinness

Guinness Business Systems
Marlborough, Massachusetts
(888) 737-4478