Excel 365 Introduces a New Feature for Inserting and Formatting Images: Watch This Video Tutorial

Excel 365 has introduced a new feature that makes inserting and formatting images much easier. While Microsoft Excel is typically used for number-crunching, adding pictures to workbooks can improve the visual appeal and clarity of your data.

We’ll walk you through how to insert and format your photos using the new feature in Excel 365. For a visual demonstration, be sure to check out this video tutorial, "Inserting and Formatting Images in Excel 365," available on the Intellezy Learning YouTube channel.

Why Insert and Format Images in Excel 365?

Inserting and formatting images aren’t something you’d typically do with MS Excel. Most users rely on PowerPoint or Word for tasks like these, but there are situations where you need visuals in your spreadsheet.

If you’re creating customized workbooks, adding legend information, displaying descriptive data, or even incorporating branding elements, inserting graphics can improve the clarity of your workbook.

Now, Excel 365 allows you to insert and format them directly within cells to give you more control over how your photos interact with your data.

What Is the New Excel Feature?

Excel 365 added another option for inserting images called Place in Cell.

Traditionally, pictures inserted in Excel via Place Over Cells would float above the worksheet, so you could move them freely.

The new Place in Cell option treats your photos like any other cell content, meaning they will adjust as you resize rows and columns. This can be useful for creating custom status symbols or legends within your workbook.

Place in Cell: The New Image Insertion Option

With Place in Cell, pictures become part of the cell’s content. This is particularly useful if you want them to be linked to specific data points or if you need them to behave like text or numbers in your spreadsheet.

Place in Cell vs Place Over Cells: How Do They Differ?

Inserting an image via Place Over Cells is the traditional method, where it floats freely on the sheet. You can drag it to any position, but it doesn’t move or resize with cells.

In contrast, the Place in Cell option locks it within the cell, making it resize automatically if you adjust row heights or column widths.

However, Place in Cell lacks advanced editing tools like brightness and color correction, which are available for visuals placed over cells.

video tutorial inserting images called place in cell

Step-by-Step Guide for Inserting and Formatting Images

Here’s how to insert pictures in Excel 365, whether you’re placing them in a cell or over cells.

1. Click inside the desired cell.
2. Go to the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
3. Select Pictures:

• Choose Place in Cell to insert it into the selected cell.
• Choose Place Over Cells to insert it traditionally.

Options for Inserting Images

You can choose from these three sources:

1. From This Device: Insert your picture from a file saved on your computer.
2. Stock Images: Access Microsoft’s stock photos library.
3. Online Pictures: Search and insert them from online sources, such as Bing or OneDrive.

Working with Images Placed Over Cells (Traditional Method)

With the traditional method, you can:

• Insert the picture that floats over the cells.
• Move it freely across the sheet.
• Click on it and drag it to the desired location.
• Use the Picture Format tab in the Ribbon to make adjustments like brightness, contrast, and styles.

Working with Images Placed in Cells (New Feature)

After choosing Place in Cell, the photo will:

• Fit neatly within the selected cell.
• Adjust accordingly if you resize the row or column.

Note: However, if you click on the formula bar, it will be replaced with descriptive text, so be cautious when interacting with the formula bar. This method doesn’t also provide access to the Picture Format tab, meaning you’ll need to edit it before inserting it into the cell.

Tips for Editing Images Using Both Features

If you want to use the Place in Cell option but still need to edit your picture, here’s a useful tip.

• Insert the picture using Place Over Cells first.
• Make any necessary edits (such as adjusting brightness or applying a style).
• Then save the edited picture to your device.
• Afterward, you can reinsert it using the Place in Cell option.

Conclusion

The new image insertion feature in Excel 365 gives you greater flexibility when inserting and formatting images into your workbooks. If you need the traditional floating pictures or the new in-cell option for more structured layouts, Excel now has the tools to meet your needs.

For a step-by-step visual demonstration, be sure to check out the video tutorial, "Inserting and Formatting Images in Excel 365," available on the Intellezy Learning YouTube channel.

For more tutorial videos like this MS Excel training, check Intellezy’s Microsoft tutorial courses page. Let us know your thoughts on this new feature in the comments section!