Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 3, 2023)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Excel in Microsoft 365, and 2021
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, Excel in Microsoft 365, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Inserting a Picture in Your Worksheet.
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