Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Inserting a Picture in Your Worksheet.
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.
Program Successfully in Excel! This guide will provide you with all the information you need to automate any task in Excel and save time and effort. Learn how to extend Excel's functionality with VBA to create solutions not possible with the standard features. Includes latest information for Excel 2024 and Microsoft 365. Check out Mastering Excel VBA Programming today!
Excel allows you to add comments to individual cells in a worksheet, but what if you want to add comments to graphics? ...
Discover MoreDon't like the way that Excel formats lines and arrows? You can easily make your own formatting changes, and then use ...
Discover MoreAdding a graphic to a worksheet is easy. Getting that graphic to just the right size may take a little bit of trial and ...
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.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here:
Comments