Actually, they don't. The list of the 48 colors are derived from simple function

FOR r=0 TO 256 STEP 64
   FOR g=0 TO 256 STEP 64
       FOR b=0 TO 256 STEP 64
          ? rgb( MIN(255,r),MIN(255,g),MIN(255,b) )
       NEXT
   NEXT
NEXT

>I did not know that! (Actually I see 48 colors in VFP 9). I share your skepticism about how Microsoft knows these are the most popular colors. How exactly would they know that?
>
>
>>Suhas,
>>
>>just enter ?getcolor() into the command window. It will open a form where a table of the 24 most common used colors is available (At least at MS definition). Just select one, press ok. You will see the color number on your screen. If you extend this window, you will see the RGB values for the color selected, or you might the integer at the property or you might use the code Tore has suggested to get the RGB
>>
>>Agnes
>>>hi,
>>>
>>>i need most commonly used 20 distint colors other than black and white
>>>
>>>CAn some1 list it please in RGB() format ?
>>>
>>>tia
>>>
>>>suhashegde