How to Insert Picture in Excel Cell Automatically (3 Ways)

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While Microsoft Excel is usually used for calculations, you may wish to save images with data in some cases and correlate an image with a specific piece of information. In our sample dataset, we have different Car Models, but we also want to add pictures for the specific model. In this post, we will guide you step by step on how to insert picture in Excel cell automatically.

insert picture in excel cell automatically


How to Insert Picture in Excel Cell Automatically: 3 Ways

We will see the use of the Insert tab, Shape Fill, and Dropdown List in this article.


Method 1: Insert Picture in Excel Cell Automatically Using Insert Tab

Adding pictures using the Insert Tab is a widely used option in Excel.

Steps:

  • At first, we have to adjust the row height for a better display of the images. So, just select the Rows as shown in the image.

insert picture in excel cell automatically using insert tab

  • Then, drag them down to the length you want for your row height.

insert picture in excel cell automatically ribbon

  • Finally, our dataset will look like the following image.

  • After that, click on cell C5 and go to the Insert tab, and select Pictures.

insert picture in excel cell manually

As a result, an Insert Picture dialogue box will pop up, and, go to the specific folder or drive you have saved your pictures, select the picture and click Insert.

  • Now, we can see the image is not in the correct position.

insert picture in excel cell automatically insert ribbon

  • At this point, hold the ALT key and resize the images using the corner or side points.

That’s it. You can easily insert pictures this way.

Read More: How to Link Picture to Cell Value in Excel


Method 2: Shape Fill to Insert Picture in Excel Cell Automatically

Shape Fill is another cool way to insert pictures in the cell. In this method, we can easily insert pictures and won’t need to adjust them to the cell size manually. Let’s see how.

Steps:

  • At first, we adjust our row heights as we need, as we did in Method 1.

insert picture in excel cell automatically shape fill

  • Now, we will go to the Insert tab, select Shapes, and select Rectangle.

insert picture in excel cell automatically insert shape method

  • Now, we will draw the shape in cell C5 as shown in the below image.

  • After that, go to the Format tab, click on the down arrow in Shape Fill and select Pictures as shown in the image below.

  • At this point, a dialogue box will pop up, you can choose pictures from your saved file or from online by these options. We have pictures on our computer so click on From a File.

  • Now, select the picture and Insert.

You can see, the image is automatically adjusted to the cell size.

Done. No need for further adjustment.

Read More: How to Insert Pictures Automatically Size to Fit Cells in Excel


Method 3: Insert Picture in Excel Cell Automatically Using Dropdown List

In our last method, we will use a dropdown list to insert pictures and change images based on cell values.

Steps:

  • First of all, we need a list of data and their pictures.

Insert Picture in Excel Cell Automatically by drop down cell

  • Now, we will go to another sheet and select cell B5, and go to ribbon Data>Data Validation.

Insert Picture in Excel Cell Automatically by data validation

  • So, a dialogue box will pop up. From the dialogue box, we will select List and Range =’Drop Down List’!$B$5:$B$11.

  • So, our drop-down list is created.

cell pictures based on cell value in Excel

  • After that, we will go to Formulas and select Define Name, as shown in the image below.

insert picture in excel cell automatically using data tab

  • We will define the name as CarLookup and type the following formula in Refers to the box and click OK.
=INDEX('Drop Down List'!$C$5:$C$11,MATCH('Car List'!$B$5,'Drop Down List'!$B$5:$B$11,0))

Here, $C$5:$C$11 refers to images in the Drop Down List sheet and $B$5:$B$11 refers to the Car Models in the same sheet, and $B$5 is the cell in the Car List sheet.

  • Now, go to the Drop Down List sheet and select the cell behind the image, and press CTRL+C.

  • Now, come back to the Car List sheet and select cell C5 and press CTRL+V, and select Linked to Pictures as shown in the image.

insert picture in excel cell automatically using drop down list

As you can see, the image is linked, which is evident from the formula bar.

  • Now, click on the Formula bar and type
=CarLookup

  • Now, if we select any car model from the Dropdown List the image will change automatically.

insert picture in excel cell automatically

This method is applicable in all Excel versions, whereas you can also use XLOOKUP or OFFSET in place of the INDEX function in Microsoft Excel 365.

Read More: How to Insert Picture in Excel Using Formula


Things to Remember

One of the most common problems people face during these methods is Reference Invalid Error. So, you can do the whole method without creating a header or checking whether INDEX and MATCH functions have valid cell references.


Practice Section

The single most crucial aspect in becoming accustomed to these quick approaches is practice. As a result, we’ve attached a practice workbook where you may practice these methods.

insert picture in excel cell automatically practice file


Download Practice Workbook


Conclusion

That’s all for the article. These are 3 different methods to insert pictures in Excel cells automatically. Based on your preferences, you may choose the best alternative. Please leave them in the comments area if you have any questions or feedback.


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Mahbubur Rahman
Mahbubur Rahman

MAHBUBUR RAHMAN is a leather engineer with a talent for Excel and a passion for VBA programming. To him, programming is like a time-saving wizard, making data manipulation, file handling, and internet interactions a breeze. His skill set extends to SPSS, STATA, Deep Neural Networks, and Machine Learning. Holding a B.Sc in Leather Engineering from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, he's shifted to become a content developer. In this role, he crafts technical content centred around Excel... Read Full Bio

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