Displaying a linked Image in a spreadsheet

[Glenn Mulno]

Hi,

I am trying to have Excel show/display an image from a file but am not
having any luck. What I am looking for is this:
- The image file will get updated weekly - so I am not looking to embed an
image one time. I want it to link to the source file and when I update the
image file, it will reflect the new image in Excel.

Inserting an image file embeds the image but there is no link to the source
file for updates.

I tried using the image control - but that did not appear to work right. It
did display the image, but the size was too large, and I was not able to
resize the displayed image. I could resize the image control down - but all
I get is smaller and smaller sections of the image, not an actual resizing
of the image itself.

At the moment - I am getting images sent to me in .png format - if the
solution could handle that it would be great. The steps I tried above I
tried with a converted jpg image and that did not work. The png image file
seems even less friendly.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[Glenn Mulno]

OK - I figured out how to make the image control work with the size by
changing the property "PictureSizeMode" to "fmPictureSizeModeStretch".

My only hang up now would be can we make this work with png files? It
currently only links to jpg/gif files. I can ask the person who is sending
the files if they can send that format, it would be easier though if it
worked with png.

Thanks again for any advice.

 

[Glenn Mulno]

Sigh. I thought I had it part way - but it seems I am still having trouble
with the image control. After saving and closing the file - reopening the
file does not update the image when changed. On top of that - I no longer
seem to be able to edit the image control properties.

Back to square 1.

 

[Glenn Mulno]

oh - I should have included that I am using Office/Excel 2007.

 

[Gord Dibben]

Insert>Object>Create from file.

Browse and select image.

Click "link to image".

Changes made to the linked file will be reflected in your workbook.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Glenn Mulno]

Well - this turned out to be embarrassingly simple.

I was on the right track earlier by doing an insert picture and selecting
insert and link. That was good. What I did not do is close Excel
completely - not just the worksheet - the whole darn Excel app. That is
what causes it to refresh the link, not just reopening the book.

Thanks all for your help in this.

 

[Gord Dibben]

Thanks for the feedback.

Good info to know. Not something I ever ran across.


Gord