Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. 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: Setting a Transparent Color for an Image.
Whenever you place a picture in your worksheet, it is rectangular in nature. Sometimes, the image may actually be rather small, but the area occupied by the image is rather large. For instance, you could have a logo that is diagonal in nature, which means that there is a large "background area" on the image. This background area, for all intents and purposes, is wasted space.
Fortunately, Excel allows you to define a particular color in your image as a transparent color. This means you could select the background area of your image, designate it as transparent, and thereby allow the underlying cells show through. To make a transparent area in your image, follow these steps:
If you can't select the Set Transparent Color tool in step 3, then you might not be able to set a transparent color in the image. Excel allows you to set the transparency color for bitmapped graphics, but not for other types. If you later want to turn off the transparency color, then you need to click the Reset Picture tool in the Adjust group on th Format tab of the ribbon.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (8729) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Setting a Transparent Color for an Image.
Solve Real Business Problems Master business modeling and analysis techniques with Excel and transform data into bottom-line results. This hands-on, scenario-focused guide shows you how to use the latest Excel tools to integrate data from multiple tables. Check out Microsoft Excel 2013 Data Analysis and Business Modeling today!
When you add multiple graphic objects in a worksheet, it can often be beneficial to group those objects together. Here's ...
Discover MoreThe WordArt program has been available in Office for a long, long time. It allows you to (as the name implies) create art ...
Discover MoreBackground pictures are repeated over and over again (tiled) by Excel. If you want them to not be tiled, you may be out ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2015-06-17 21:56:59
Ruben
Thank you!!!, I looked for this everywhere !!!
2014-01-28 16:18:35
JeanB
This is something that has rarely come up, but I just tried it with a picture I had on file with a one color background and it worked like a charm. Now I'm thinking of other uses for this option. Thanks.
2014-01-22 06:39:38
Wonderful.
Didn't knew this. Thanks. I face the same query as @Tony, why only a single color be made transparent?
2014-01-21 21:25:03
Tony
Very good but why in an image with multiple colours it seems only one colour can be made transparent??
2014-01-20 15:25:03
DippyDoo
Nice Tip. This definitely comes in handy when creating multiple spreadsheets tagged with the company logo. Never knew it was possible before. Thanks Allen.
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 © 2018 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. 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