Ok, Cory
You now understand that you can't put a picture "in" a cell, but you can
place a picture over a cell, or cells, right? So, let's go from there.
For a non-VBA solution, see if this works for you:
Assumption: Pictures are stored on Sheet2 to be dynamically shown on Sheet1.
Select Sheet2 and turn off Grid Lines
(Tools>Options>View tab:Uncheck Grid Lines)
1)For each picture to be displayed:
1a. Insert>Picture from file. (select picture, put it in the sheet and
resize it).
1b. Select the range of cells that contains the picture.
1c. Name that range of cells, using the prefix "pic" followed by the
dropdown list text:
Example for a picture of an Elephant on cells A2

10:
Select those cells
Insert>Name>Define
Name: picElephant
2)Build your data validation list on a cell in Sheet1 and pick one of the
items.
If you need help: use Debra Dalgleish's site:
http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal01.html
3)Create a dynamic range name that refers to that cell:
Insert>Name>Define
Name: ShowMyPic
RefersTo: =INDIRECT("pic"&Sheet1!$A$1)
...or whatever cell you chose.
4)Copy/Paste one of the pictures from Sheet2 to the display cell on Sheet1.
5)With picture selected, type this in the formula bar, then press [Enter]:
=ShowMyPic
The picture will be replaced by the picture referred to by the dropdown list.
Each time you select a different item in the list, the associated picture
will appear in the picture box and resize appropriately.
Does that help?
***********
Regards,
Ron
XL2002, WinXP-Pro
CORY said:
what i learned from that website was this:
"Since pictures in XL can't be placed in a cell, but rather float on top of
the sheet"
that is what i want to do, is place a pictue that spans from (for example)
E40 to Q61. it sounds like i can't do that. i don't really know anything
about VBA (i don't even know what that stands for)
cory