Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 3, 2023)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365
Excel allows you to insert a wide range of picture (graphic) types in your worksheets. You can insert the following types:
Picture Type | Filename Extension | |
---|---|---|
Compressed Windows Enhanced Metafile | EMZ | |
Compressed Macintosh PICT | PCZ | |
Compressed Windows Metafile | WMZ | |
Computer Graphics Metafile | CGM | |
Encapsulated PostScript | EPS | |
Graphics Interchange Format | GIF | |
JPEG File Interchange Format | JPG, JPEG, JFIF, JPE | |
Macintosh PICT | PCT, PICT | |
Portable Network Graphics | PNG | |
Scalable Vector Graphics | SVG | |
Tagged Image File Format | TIF, TIFF | |
Windows Bitmap | BMP, DIB, RLE | |
Windows Enhanced Metafile | EMF | |
Windows Metafile | WMF | |
WordPerfect Graphics | WPG |
This list looks very inclusive, but you may not be able to insert all of these on your system. The graphic files you can actually import depends on which import filters you installed. (They were installed when you installed Excel or Office.)
To insert a picture in your workbook, follow these steps:
Excel inserts the picture. You can then use the Format tab of the ribbon to make formatting changes to the image.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (7760) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Inserting a Picture in Your Worksheet.
Best-Selling VBA Tutorial for Beginners Take your Excel knowledge to the next level. With a little background in VBA programming, you can go well beyond basic spreadsheets and functions. Use macros to reduce errors, save time, and integrate with other Microsoft applications. Fully updated for the latest version of Office 365. Check out Microsoft 365 Excel VBA Programming For Dummies today!
Graphic shapes you add to your worksheet can easily contain text; just click on the shape and start typing away. You may ...
Discover MoreExcel is great at printing numbers on a piece of paper, but terrible at printing watermarks. This is apparently by ...
Discover MoreWhen editing a worksheet, you can place comments or notes that are associated with individual cells. If you want, you can ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments