File Format & Compatibility

How to Fix Excel Data Pasting as an Image in Gmail Using Microsoft Edge

Amos Gikunda Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to paste an Excel table into a Gmail draft using Microsoft Edge without the data being converted into a static image.

Fix Excel Data Pasting as an Image in Gmail on Microsoft Edge

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Copying tabular data from an Excel workbook and pasting it into an email body in Gmail.
Observed behavior: When pasting the Excel range into Gmail via Microsoft Edge, the table turns into an image. In Google Chrome, it properly remains a formatted table.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft Edge browser is updated to the latest version, as browser developers frequently patch clipboard and rich-text compatibility issues.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Microsoft Word as a Middleman

Pasting the table into a word processor first strips the problematic clipboard formatting that triggers the Microsoft Edge image-pasting bug.

Because Edge struggles to translate Excel's complex HTML clipboard data directly into Gmail's composer, passing the data through Word normalizes the table structure.

Copy the Excel data

Highlight the desired cell range in your Microsoft Excel workbook, right-click, and select Copy (or press Ctrl+C).

Paste into Microsoft Word

Open a new, blank document in Microsoft Word and paste the copied data into the page by pressing Ctrl+V.

Copy the table from Word

Click the crosshair icon at the top-left corner of the pasted table in Word to select the entire table, then copy it.

Paste into Gmail

Navigate back to your Gmail draft in Microsoft Edge and paste the clipboard contents. The data will now appear as a proper, editable table.

Formatting Preserved: This method effectively bypasses the Edge bug while maintaining your original cell borders, background colors, and text alignment.

Solution 2

Switch Browser to Google Chrome

Since this is an isolated compatibility issue with Microsoft Edge, using Chrome circumvents the problem entirely and allows for direct pasting.

Solution 3

Send the Excel File as an Attachment

If preserving exact, complex formatting is necessary and workarounds are inconvenient, attaching the raw file ensures no layout is lost.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Cross-Platform Compatibility

Experiencing clipboard bugs and cross-platform compatibility issues? WPS Office is a free, lightweight suite that makes copying, pasting, and sharing tabular data effortless across all major browsers and email clients.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) and Word (.docx) formats.Seamlessly copy and paste spreadsheet data into web clients without losing table formatting.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on almost any desktop or mobile device.Familiar user interface makes migrating from Microsoft Office instant and effortless.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Edge convert my copied Excel table into an image?

This happens due to a known clipboard formatting bug in Microsoft Edge's interaction with Excel and Gmail's rich text editor. The browser misinterprets the complex HTML table structure from the Excel clipboard and defaults to pasting a visual bitmap image instead of editable text.

Does this pasting issue happen in Outlook on the web as well?

Generally, this specific issue is most prevalent in Gmail when using Microsoft Edge. Outlook on the web usually handles Excel clipboard data correctly because both applications belong to the Microsoft ecosystem and share compatible rich-text processing standards.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to paste Excel data as plain text in Gmail?

Yes. You can press Ctrl+Shift+V (on Windows) or Cmd+Shift+V (on Mac) to paste the copied Excel data as plain text. However, this will remove all table formatting, borders, and colors, leaving only the raw unformatted data separated by spaces.

How can I paste an Excel table into Gmail without losing my cell borders?

To keep the borders intact in Gmail, it is best to paste the Excel table using Google Chrome, or use a word processor like Microsoft Word or WPS Writer as a middleman. Gmail's composer sometimes struggles to render native Excel borders when pasted directly from certain browsers like Edge.

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