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How to insert a picture into a cell in Excel (step by step)

September 14, 2023 3.3K views

Adding graphical images to Excel cells not only enhances the visual appeal of your data but also improves data comprehension by incorporating visual elements. You may also wish to include your company's logo for branding. In this article, we will present you with a step by step guide on how to insert a picture into a cell in Excel.

How to insert a picture into a cell in Excel


How to insert a picture into a cell in Excel

In Excel, the ability to insert pictures can significantly enhance the presentation of crucial data. Excel recognizes the importance of this feature and offers users three distinct methods for inserting pictures into cells. Each method has its advantages and minor limitations. Let's learn how to insert a picture into one cell in Excel using each method.

Insert a Picture from your Computer into an Excel cell

Excel provides a straightforward method for importing pictures directly from your computer into a cell. Here's how:

Step 1: Go to the "Insert" tab located at the top of your Excel window.

Step 2: Under the "Illustration" drop-down menu, select "Picture," and then choose "This Device".

Excel insert picture



Step 3: A dialogue box titled "Insert Picture" from your computer will appear.

Step 4: Browse and select the picture you want to insert, then click "Insert".

Excel browse picture in computer



Step 5: The selected picture will now appear within your Excel worksheet.

Excel picture in cell



Step 6: As with the previous method, you can easily resize the picture to fit it into the cell, ensuring it complements your data seamlessly.

Excel resize picture



Tip

Remember, you can also select multiple pictures simultaneously by holding down the Ctrl key while choosing the images you want to insert.

This method offers a convenient way to add pictures directly from your computer into Excel cells. It's especially handy when you have images saved on your device that you want to incorporate into your spreadsheet. The process is intuitive, making it accessible for users of all levels. Plus, the option to select multiple pictures by holding the Ctrl key provides added flexibility for inserting and managing images.

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How to Insert a Picture from the Internet into an Excel cell

Web pages offer a vast array of images, and when you have an internet connection, it's easy to insert these pictures directly into Excel cells. Here's how:

Step 1: Select the "Insert" tab from the Excel ribbon at the top.

Step 2: Under "Illustrations", choose "Pictures", and then select "Online Picture".

Excel Online Pictures



Step 3: An "Online Pictures" window will appear, providing access to a vast collection of images.

Excel Online Pictures collection by Bing



Step 4: In the search box, enter keywords related to the picture you're looking for.

Step 5: Once you've found the desired picture, click "Insert" to add it to your Excel sheet. Note that you can select multiple pictures if needed.

Excel insert online picture



Step 7:The selected picture will now download into your Excel document.

Excel download online picture



Step 8: After the download is complete, you can easily resize the picture to ensure it fits perfectly within the cell.

Excel resize picture to fit cell


Tip

You can select multiple pictures simultaneously if needed, adding flexibility to your image insertion process.

This method provides a convenient way to incorporate images from online sources directly into your Excel cells. It's particularly useful when you want to include web-based visuals in your spreadsheet. The process is straightforward and user-friendly, making it accessible for users with various levels of expertise. Remember to respect copyright regulations when using online images.

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How to insert picture in Excel cell shortcut key?

Users can effortlessly insert an image into an Excel cell using the copy-paste method involving shortcut keys, here's how:

Step 1: First, go to the image source and copy it with the keyboard shortcut "CTRL + C".

Copy image



Step 2: Navigate to your Excel spreadsheet, click on the target cell, and paste the image using "CTRL + V" on your keyboard or by right-clicking and choosing "Paste" from the context menu. Note that the image might not initially fit the cell.

Paste cell in Excel



Step 3: To resize the cell to accommodate the image, hover your cursor over the row's boundary (at the left edge of the row number) until it changes to a double-headed arrow. Then, double-click to auto-adjust the row height.

Resize cell in Excel



Step 4: Now, to resize the image to fit the cell precisely, click on it, and use your mouse to drag the image from the dots at its boundaries.

Resize image in Excel



The shortcut method for inserting pictures into Excel on Mac is quite similar. However, the shortcut keys for copying are "Command + C", and for pasting, it's "Command + V".

While this method is convenient, it may not always work, especially if the image source doesn't allow copying. However, it offers the advantage of simplicity and ease of use. In situations where it's applicable, it provides a straightforward way to insert images into Excel cells.

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Comparison of the three methods

Each method to insert a picture in Excel cell has its merits and best-use scenarios:

  • Insert from Computer: Ideal when you have images saved on your computer that need to be added to your spreadsheet. It offers a straightforward and efficient way to integrate your own files seamlessly.

  • Insert from the Internet: Great for sourcing web-based images for your Excel sheet. It simplifies the process of sourcing and incorporating online images directly into your cells, enhancing your spreadsheet's content.

  • Shortcut Keys: Quick for copying and pasting images but it's essential to understand its practicality. It seamlessly allows you to insert images into Excel cells with ease. However, it's important to note that this method may not be suitable for all scenarios, especially when the image source doesn't permit copying.

The choice of method depends on your specific needs and the nature of your Excel project. Each method provides a valuable solution, offering flexibility to cater to diverse user preferences.

How to Automatically size pictures to fit cells when inserting them in Excel

When working with images in Excel, it's essential to make them fit neatly within cells. Here’s how to lock an image in Excel cells and make sure it automatically resizes as you change the size of the cell.

Step 1: After resizing the cell and the image to your desired dimensions, you can ensure that the image adjusts its size to fit the cell every time you resize it. To do this, right-click on the image, select "Format Picture".

Excel format picture



Step 2: Within the properties, choose the "Move and Size with cells" option. This ensures that the image remains proportional and fits the cell, even if you change the cell size.

Excel picture properties


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FAQs about insert picture in Excel cell

Q1. How to insert picture in Excel cell background?

Step 1: Begin by going to the 'Insert' tab and select “Shapes”. From the options, choose “Rectangle”.

Step 2: Your cursor will now appear as a plus (+) sign. Utilize it to draw a rectangle precisely on the cell you want to work with.

Step 3: Next, right-click on the drawn rectangle, and a context menu will appear. From this menu, select “Format Shape”.

Step 4: The Format Picture dialog box will promptly appear. Within the Format Picture dialog box, navigate to “Fill & Line” and opt for “Picture or Texture Fill”. After this, select “Insert” below “Picture Source”.

Step 5: A new dialog box named “Insert Pictures” will open. Click on “From a File”, which will trigger another dialog box.

Step 6: Now, select your desired picture by browsing your files and click on “Insert”.

Step 7: Double-click on the inserted image to enable write mode and edit the cell.

Q2. How to Inserting Video into Worksheets in Excel?

Follow these straightforward steps to insert Video into Worksheets in Excel:

Step 1: Navigate to the "Insert" tab within the Excel ribbon.

Step 2: Locate the "Video" icon in the "Media" section of the ribbon, then click on it to reveal a dropdown menu.

Step 3: Choose the video file you wish to insert into your worksheet. You can select a video stored on your computer or from an online source.

Step 4: After inserting the video, customize its settings to suit your requirements. You can resize, reposition, and adjust playback settings as needed.

Enhancing Excel with Visuals

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