The chromogenic azaphthalide compounds of the invention are of the formula: ##STR1## wherein A is a pyridine ring; R.sub.1 is hydrogen atom or alkyl radicals of from one to 4 carbon atoms; X is hydrogen atom, alkyl radicals of from one to 2 carbon atoms or alkoxy radicals of from one to 2 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is alkyl radicals of from one to 2 carbon atoms or phenyl radical; R.sub.3 is hydrogen atom or alkyl radicals of from one to 8 carbon atoms. These compounds are particularly suitable for use in providing high quality pressure- or heat-sensitive copying sheets.