While a lot of people think that Microsoft Excel revolves around numbers and formulas, it actually does allow you to incorporate images and SmartArt to make your spreadsheets more lively and visually stimulating. No matter if you are utilizing Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, or Chrome’s spreadsheet, it is a known fact that the inclusion of graphic images and illustrations enhances the creativity and clarity of the work.

This document serves to guide you through the processes of inserting, modifying, and enhancing pictures and SmartArt in your Excel.

1. How to Insert Images in Excel?

Incorporating pictures in Excel sheets makes the data more attractive as well as simpler to comprehend.

Procedure to Add An Image To Excel

1. Launch Microsoft Excel.
2. Select the ‘Insert’ tab.
3. Click on ‘Picture’ situated on your toolbar.
4. Under ‘Insert Picture From’, select one of the options:
   • This device – lets you browse through your computer for the required image.
   • Stock images – retrieve images from the library of preset pictures.
   • Online pictures – use images to the web.
5. Drag the chosen image into the Excel sheet.
6. Place/resize the image using the mouse.

Pictures allow users to focus and improve visual representation in reports and help highlight key data.

2. Step To Remove Image Background

Excel gives the user an option to ‘image background removal’ so that images fit perfectly into the spreadsheet.

Process of Removing Background of An Image

1. Go to an Excel Worksheet which contains an image.
2. Navigate to the “Picture Format” section.
3. Choose “Remove Background” from the drop down list.
4. Select “Keep Changes” to apply modifications made.
5. Adjust the background removal using the green pencil (Mark Areas to Keep)} or red pencil (Mark Areas to Remove).

More professional looking images can be achieved with the help of this tool’s features.

3. Ways To Edit Images Directly From Excel

i. Picture Style

• Styles can be applied to images using “Picture Format”.
• Restoration of an image back to default can be done with “Reset Picture”.

ii. Artistic Style

• The Insert tab enables creative alterations through “Artistic Effects.”
• Design enhancement can be achieved by using filters and effects.

iii. Color Change

• A new effect can be introduced to the image by going to the Insert tab and selecting “Color”.
• The image can have various colors applied to it.

These options and settings make customizing and beautifying reports and dashboards in Excel much easier and appealing.

4. Using SmartArt From Excel

SmartArt is useful for creating and designing charts, graphs, and infographics for the data in a more creative way.

How to Add SmartArt in Excel

1. Click on the “Insert” tab.
2. Click on SmartArt.
3. Select a category in the “Choose a SmartArt Graphic” dialog box.
4. Select the graphic you would like to use.
5. Do the following in SmartArt Design to:
   • Change color.
   • Add 2D or 3D style.
6. Right-click to modify the graphic.

SmartArt enhances presentations, workflows, and organizational charts.

Take Away Points

• To add images from your computer or the internet, use “Picture”.
• Use the “Picture Format” tool to take out backgrounds from images.
• Adjust image colors and effects to improve visualization.
• Add SmartArt together with infographics, flowcharts, and reports.

It is now with the addition of visual elements that Excel reports are more engaging, easier to understand and more interactive

Categories: Learning Excel