Hiding Graphics when Filtering

James has a worksheet that has graphics on top of cells that explain what is in the cells. The graphics sort with the cells just fine, but when he applies filters to the cells, the graphics bunch up at top of cells that are visible. James wonders if there is a way to have graphics hide when filtering data within cells.

The answer has to do with how you have the properties for the graphics set up. You need to make sure that the graphics are set to resize when the row height changes. Here's what you do if you are using Excel 2013 or a later version:

1. Select the graphic (or graphics) whose properties you want to modify.
2. Right-click the graphic (or graphics). Excel displays a Context menu.
3. Choose Size and Properties from the Context Menu. Excel displays the Format Picture task pane at the right side of the screen.
4. Make sure Properties task option is expanded. (If it isn't—if you can't see anything under the Properties option—click the small triangle to the left of the Properties option.) (See Figure 1.)



Figure 1. The Properties option of the Format Picture task pane.

5. Make sure the Move and Size with Cells radio button is selected.
6. Close Format Picture task pane.

If you are using Excel 2007 or Excel 2010, then the process is just a bit different because those versions don't use task panes. Follow these steps:

1. Select the graphic (or graphics) whose properties you want to modify.
2. Right-click the graphic (or graphics). Excel displays a Context menu.
3. Choose Size and Properties from the Context menu. Excel displays either the Size and Properties (Excel 2007) or Format Picture (Excel 2010) dialog box.
4. Make sure the Properties tab is selected. (See Figure 2.)



Figure 2. The Properties tab of the Size and Properties dialog box.

5. Make sure the Move and Size with Cells check box is selected.
6. Click OK.

Regardless of your version of Excel, it is step 5 that does the trick. Since your graphics are sorting properly when you sort the worksheet, chances are good that you had the Move but Don't Size with Cells check box selected. This is what caused the graphics to bunch up—they couldn't resize when filtering hid the rows with which they were associated.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (11763) 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: Hiding Graphics when Filtering.